Wallabies and NSW star Kurtley Beale is free to play for the Waratahs, despite an assault charge hanging over his head.

The Wallabies utility back pleaded not guilty to one count of common assault in Mount Druitt Local Court on Wednesday but Australian rugby officials say he won't face a playing ban similar to Test team-mate Quade Cooper, who faces charges over an alleged burglary.

Like Cooper, however, the game will haul Beale in front of a disciplinary tribunal once his court case is completed.

"Pending resolution of the court proceedings, at this stage he's eligible to play," an Australian Rugby Union spokesman told AAP.

Beale was charged over an incident alleged to have occurred in the early hours of July 18 last year at Tregear in western Sydney.

Reports said the alleged incident happened at a family birthday party and that the complainant was a female relative of Beale.

The 21-year-old's case has been adjourned until February 5 and his bail extended.

Beale returned to NSW training this week and will be available for the side's three Super 14 trial matches, all of which take place before his next court hearing.

"Obviously it's before the courts and he's entitled to the presumption of innocence," the ARU spokesman said.

"The matter will be referred to a disciplinary tribunal but that will be on hold until the resolution of the court proceedings.

"In the meantime he is free to resume training and he will be eligible for selection in the trials prior to that February 5 hearing."

Last month, Cooper was ruled ineligible for selection until he completed a counselling program.

That ban was for repeated off-field incidents and not because he had been charged, the ARU said.

Cooper's progress will be reviewed early next month and he could yet play in Queensland's first Super 14 match, against NSW on February 13.

Beale also has some previous off-field form, but has kept his nose clean since having his driver's licence suspended for nine months for drink-driving in 2007.

He is receiving strong support from the Waratahs, who play trials against the Reds on January 23, Fiji Warriors on January 30 and the Brumbies on February 2.

"Certainly we were out there today with the manager supporting Kurtley at the court appearance and we'll continue to support him at the trial on February," chief executive Jim L'Estrange told AAP.

"It's been a difficult situation for him obviously.

"He didn't train with us until one or two days ago, he's come back very fit and he's obviously very, very keen to play.

"From a personality perspective he's feeling, despite the situation, very positive and looking forward to the season."

The Waratahs embark on a two-match tour to South Africa after their season-opener in Brisbane.

L'Estrange would not speculate on whether Beale, who made his Wallabies debut on last year's spring tour, would be travelling with the NSW squad for the Super 14's opening rounds.

"(That's) very pre-emptive on the basis that he's obviously pleaded not guilty," he said.

"We respect that date (of the trial) ... it would be a little bit forward of us to actually start making any suggestions along that way."

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