Former Wallaby Justin Harrison will return to Australia for the new Super 14 season after being handed a lifeline by the Brumbies.

The 35-year-old is currently serving an eight-month suspension after admitting to three drug-related charges while playing for Guinness Premiership club Bath.

Harrison was banned in July for "actions which are prejudicial to the interests of the game".

He admitted taking a prohibited substance during an end-of-season celebration in London and of subsequently failing to submit to a drugs test.

The suspension was back-dated to May 14, the day Harrison resigned from Bath and withdrew from the Barbarians tour.

He will be available to play for the Brumbies from January 13, 2010.

Harrison trained with the Canberra-based club for the first time on Monday morning and hopes to have an immediate impact on his new team-mates.

"After finishing up with Bath, I sat down and ranked the countries and clubs I wanted to play with," he said.

"I listed the Brumbies at number one even though it was an unlikely scenario at the time.

"Now that I'm here I couldn't be happier. It's an environment I know very well and is backed up by quality coaching staff and administration.

"I loved being a part of this community and I know that this is the best place in the world for me to be playing my rugby."

The lineout specialist was a foundation member of the Brumbies' inaugural squad in 1996 and made his Super 12 debut in 1997.

He played 69 matches for the ACT side, including a starting berth during the victorious 2001 Super 12 final.

He was signed as cover for Peter Kimlin, whose availability for next season is uncertain after suffering nerve damage in his right shoulder.

"I've made mistakes during my career but the next 12 months is a chance for me to rectify my professional reputation and put back into the game I've had a love affair with for the past 16 years," Harrison said.

"I appreciate what a great opportunity this is to not only play where I started my professional career but also to contribute to the players around me, the culture of the club and the Canberra community."

Harrison also played with the Waratahs (2004-05) and Ulster (2005-08), where he captained the Irish club to a Magners League title 2006.

He spent the 2008/09 season representing Bath where he started in 29 of 31 matches for the Premiership club.