The Australian Rugby Union has agreed in principle to a new rule that will allow its Super 14 sides to sign overseas stars as early as next season.
A final submission for the proposed foreign player policy will be presented at a board meeting on 5 September.
At present, Western Force, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies and New South Wales Waratahs must select players that are eligible for Wallabies selection.
The move is part of a shake-up to strengthen southern hemisphere rugby.
"It was agreed the time is right to make this change," said ARU chairman Peter McGrath.
"We are moving towards transformation at Super Rugby level and allowing foreign players to be involved with our teams – not for the first time – is part of that evolutionary process.
"The re-introduction of foreign players will have advantages for our teams, for our fans, and for overseas marquee or emerging players wanting to experience the best provincial competition in the world.
606: DEBATE"It will of course be tightly controlled and managed. That is why we are still waiting on final details from management before endorsing the change."
The ARU is consulting with Super 14 member unions, players' unions and national coach Robbie Deans, before making a final submission.
That proposal will, inevitably, include the number of foreign players a province is permitted to recruit.
Ultimately, it could signal the start of a reversal in the trend of the mass influx witnessed in recent seasons where top southern hemisphere imports have arrived in the top European leagues - or at least offer greater incentive to stay.
In mid-July, it was announced that the Super 14 club competition itself is set to expand its play-offs from four to six - and that the Tri-Nations is looking to bring Argentina into the fold in the future.
"We want the most commercially attractive competition - our goal is to retain the best talent," said New Zealand Rugby Union chief Steve Tew.
"We can't hide from the economic engines of French and English rugby."
New Zealand have lost some of their biggest names in recent years with the likes of Luke McAllister, Carl Hayman, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, Byron Kelleher and Doug Howlett among those to join English, French and Irish clubs.
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