Boxing and combat sports

Professional boxing and combat sports in Victoria are regulated under the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985 and the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Regulations 2018.

Regulation aims to:

  • promote safety
  • reduce the risk of malpractice
  • uphold industry integrity.

The Act defines professional boxing and combat sports as any contest or exhibition:

  • that is conducted for profit
  • where contestants participate for a monetary reward
  • where admission fees are charged, except if those fees are charged for:
    • a public charitable purpose (see the Charitable promotions policy under the heading Policies below for more information); or
    • an event that is organised or under the control of an amateur association formally recognised by the Minister for Sport under the Act and the fees are put towards the administration of the recognised association.

For information about Professional Boxing and Combat Sports legislation refer to the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985  and the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Regulations 2018.

Contact the Combat Sports Unit on (03) 9623 1183

Email combat.sports@sport.vic.gov.au

Information for contestants

Anyone in registering as a professional contestant should read the following instructions:

Important conditions are attached to a contestant's registration.  Contestants must comply with these conditions or may face suspension or cancellation of their registration. The documents below set out the conditions:

Complete the application form:

Arrange a fitness test with a medical practitioner, who must complete the Certificate of Fitness:

Arrange a blood test with a medical practitioner, who must complete the Blood Testing form:

If you are registering with the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board for the first time, a licensed trainer or matchmaker must complete the Statement of Recommendation:

Information for promoters

Apply for a licence

Anyone interested in applying for a promoter licence should read the following instructions:

Important conditions are attached to a promoter licence. Promoters must comply with these conditions or may face suspension or cancellation of their registration. The document below sets out those conditions:

Complete the application form:

Apply for a promotion permit

Important conditions are attached to a promotion permit. Promoters must comply with these conditions or may face suspension or cancellation of their licence. The document below sets out those conditions:

Complete the application form (licensed promoters only):

Important information for promoters

Promoters must be aware of and comply with the following policies:

Information for referees, judges, matchmakers, timekeepers and trainers

Match-maker, referee, judge or timekeeper licence​s

Anyone interested in applying for a referee or judge licence must contact the Combat Sports Unit on (03) 9623 1183 before submitting an application.

Anyone interested in applying for a match-maker, judge, referee or timekeeper licence should read the following instructions:

Important conditions are attached to licences. Licence holders must comply with these conditions or may face suspension or cancellation of their licence. The document below sets out those conditions:

Complete the application form:

Trainer licence

Anyone interested in applying for a trainer licence should read the following instructions:

Important conditions are attached to trainer licences. Licenced trainers must comply with these conditions or may face suspension or cancellation of their licence. The document below sets out those conditions:

If you are applying for a trainer's licence you are required to complete and submit a trainer's exam.

You must also have a current first aid certificate that satisfies the requirements set out in the following document:

Information for medical practitioners

All professional contests in Victoria must be conducted under the supervision of a medical practitioner approved by the Board.

Policies

Rules

Boxing

Kickboxing

Muay Thai

K1

MMA

Professional
Amateur

For enquiries about the rules please contact the Combat Sports Unit.

Email: combat.sports@sport.vic.gov.au

Tel: (03) 9623 1183

Combat sports and concussion

Statement of Expectations

In November 2021, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events provided the Board with a new Statement of Expectations. This Statement of Expectations is a key mechanism through which the priorities and directions of the government are formally presented to the Board.

This Statement of Expectations seeks to:

  • improve concussion management and education
  • continue to implement a risk-based approach to the regulation of boxing and combat sports
  • improve industry standards through the development of best practice conditions, rules, policies and guidelines
  • improve communication with industry stakeholders, and
  • increase the awareness and understanding of the regulatory framework within the combat sports industry.

The Statement of Expectations and Plan on a Page:

Approved promotion permits

Below is a list of approved applicants and venues for promotion permits:

  • Marc Gelsi, Melbourne Pavilion, 20 July 2024
  • Simon Carson, Melbourne Pavilion, 26 July 2024
  • Joe Demicoli, Melbourne Pavilion, 27 July 2024
  • Peter Maniatis, Q Room Thomastown, 27 July 2024
  • Joe Nader, Melbourne Pavilion, 10 August 2024
  • Joe Demicoli, Westend Hotel, Sunshine, 17 August 2024
  • Brian Amatruda, Melbourne Pavilion, 23 August 2024
  • Jake Ellis, Melbourne Pavilion, 24 August 2024
  • Wayne Carl, Club Italia Sporting Club, 31 August 2024
  • Siavosh Nadji, Melbourne Pavilion, 31 August 2024
  • Peter Maniatis, Whitehorse Club Burwood East, 14 September 2024
  • Robert Fogarty, Croatian Club Footscray, 14 September 2024
  • Marc Gelsi, Melbourne Pavilion, 19 October 2024
  • James Barone, Melbourne Pavilion, 22 November 2024
  • Jake Ellis, Melbourne Pavilion, 7 December 2024
  • Steven Baldacchino, Gippsland Indoor Sports Stadium Traralgon, 7 December 2024.

Amateur combat sports

The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events has the power to recognise amateur associations pursuant to section 5A of the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985.

Contests conducted by these amateur associations (‘recognised amateur associations’) are not required to comply with the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985 (“the Act”) where:

  1. admission fees are paid by the public; and
  2. those fees are put to the administration or running costs of the amateur association.

In those circumstances, a promotion permit will not be required from the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board (“the Board”) to hold the contest or exhibition.

The Act will, however, apply if the contest or exhibition is conducted for profit or where contestants compete for a monetary reward or where the admission fees are not put to the administration or running costs of the recognised amateur association. These are professional contests within the definition of the Act and must be conducted in compliance with its provisions.

To be recognised by the Minister, amateur associations must satisfy a number of conditions and, after recognition, meet a range of on-going obligations to maintain recognition.

Recognition by the Minister

The Minister has the discretion to recognise an amateur association. To be considered for recognition, an amateur association must first be found suitable for recognition by the Board. The Board’s criteria for suitability can be found in:

Recognised Amateur Associations Suitability for recognition and on going obligations - accessible (DOCX 75.23 KB) DOCX icon

Recognised Amateur Associations Exempted Contest Notification form (DOCX 80.15 KB) DOCX icon

Minimum safety standards for recognised amateur associations - accessible (DOCX 127.16 KB) DOCX icon

Page last updated: 15 Jul 2024
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