Section 4 of the ANZAC Day Act 1958 (Act) prohibits the playing of sports on ANZAC Day without the prior written approval of the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events or the Minister for Community Sport if an admission fee is charged or donation sought to view the event (approved sports events).

The Ministers may approve the holding of sport on ANZAC Day if:

• the sport does not commence before 1pm; and
• a payment is made to the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund in the case of the approved sports event being held within the metropolitan area; or
• for events held more than 50 km from the GPO, a payment is made to the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund or an institution or organisation in the district where the sport is played as approved by the Minister in consultation with the President of the RSL.

Please note an agreement to donate the proceeds of all fundraising activities held at an approved sports event alone does not satisfy the legislative requirements. It is necessary to donate a portion of the net profit from the sports event itself.

Clubs should contact their respective peak sporting organisation or association to prior to submitting a request for approval to play sport on ANZAC Day. Applicants should also consult the local sub-branch of the RSL on the protocols, requirements, and appropriate ANZAC Day commemorative activities.

Sporting events to be held on ANZAC Day that do not charge an admission fee or seek a donation from spectators do not require Ministerial approval. It is still recommended that these clubs discuss appropriate commemorative activities that can be incorporated into their ANZAC Day sporting events with their local RSL sub-branch.

Additional information is available here:

Sport on ANZAC Day (PDF)

Sport on AZAC Day (word doc)

Requests for additional information and applications for Ministerial approval should be sent by email to Sport and Recreation Victoria in the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions with ‘ANZAC Day application’ in the subject line.

Applications should be submitted by 24 February 2024 as requests made after this date may not be approved by 25 April.

For more information, please contact Sport and Recreation Victoria via email at info@sport.vic.gov.au