The global governing body announced on Monday that, under a new participation and inclusion policy, transgender players were banned from international competition, effective immediately.

World Netball said the decision came after lengthy consultation and review of the research.

"Following detailed review of the science and consultation with experts and members, it has determined that international level women's netball is a gender affected activity and that a policy is required (to) ensure fairness and safety at this level of our sport," World Netball said in a statement.

Global governing bodies for cricket, cycling, athletics, swimming and chess have all tightened their participation rules for transgender athletes in elite women's competitions over the last couple of years.

The international organisation said national governing bodies could choose to "modify or even not apply these guidelines" if they decided to base participation rules for their competitions on other factors.

Netball Australia said they had no plans to change their own 2020 policy that welcomed transgender and gender diverse athletes in elite competitions, including Super Netball.

There are currently no transgender players in the national competition however under WN's new stance any future players would be ineligible for selection in the Australian Diamonds.

A statement from Netball Australia said the body was "proud of its leading transgender guidelines for both community and elite netball".

Netball ACT also stood by the existing guidelines in Australia.

"We understand World Netball's position, but we are aligned with Netball Australia's transgender guidelines for community sport," said Netball ACT boss Sally Clark.

"Those guidelines provide a safe and inclusive environment. We like to think we're a very inclusive sport."

A Netball Australia statement said: "These guidelines are based on a commitment to provide welcoming and inclusive environments for all people to play netball."

Netball Australia released its gender inclusion policy in 2020 as part of the Pride in Sport initiative, alongside the AFL and other major sporting codes.

It states that trans and gender diverse people must have a certain level of testosterone measured in their blood over a 24-month period that corresponds to roughly half that of what an average man would have.

Former Netball Australia chief executive Marne Fechner said at the time the policy reflected a commitment to make sure netball was an inclusive place for all people to play.

Transgender and gender diverse players are allowed to participate in community netball competition.

Australian Associated Press