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 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.
Contact the Combat Sports Unit on 9096 9833 or email combat.sports@sport.vic.gov.au.
For information about Professional Boxing and Combat Sports legislation refer to the Victorian Legislation website.
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Information for contestants
Anyone in registering as a professional contestant should read the following instructions:
- Guide to registering as a professional boxing or combat sport contestant (docx)
- Guide to registering as a professional boxing or combat sport contestant (pdf)
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 document below sets out the conditions:
- Conditions of registration for professional boxing and combat sports contestants (docx)
- Conditions of registration for professional boxing and combat sports contestants (pdf)
Complete the application form:
- Application for registration as a professional contestant (docx)
- Application for registration as a professional contestant (pdf)
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:
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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:
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Information for referees, judges, matchmakers, timekeepers and trainers
Match-maker, referee, judge or timekeeper licences
Anyone interested in applying for a referee or judge licence must contact the Combat Sports Unit on 9096 9833 before submitting an application.
Anyone interested in applying for a match-maker, judge, referee or timekeeper licence should read the following instructions:
- Guide to applying for a match-maker, judge, referee or timekeeper licence (docx)
- Guide to applying for a match-maker, judge, referee or timekeeper licence (pdf)
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:
- Referees, judges and timekeepers - duties and conditions (docx)
- Referees, judges and timekeepers - duties and conditions (pdf)
- Match-makers - duties and conditions (docx)
- Match-makers - duties and conditions (docx)
Complete the application form:
- Application for a trainer, match maker, judge, referee and timekeeper licence (docx)
- Application for a trainer, match maker, judge, referee and timekeeper licence (pdf)
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:
- Trainers - duties and conditions (docx)
- Trainers - duties and conditions (pdf)
- Trainer Duty of Care (doc)
- Trainer Duty of Care (pdf)
Complete the application form:
- Application for a trainer, match maker, judge, referee and timekeeper licence (docx)
- Application for a trainer, match maker, judge, referee and timekeeper licence (pdf)
If you are applying for a trainer's licence for the first time 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:
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Information for medical practitioners
All professional contests in Victoria must be conducted under the supervision of a medical practitioner approved by the Board.
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Policies
- Trainers - first aid policy (docx)
- Trainers - first aid policy (pdf)
- Refund of fees policy (docx, 198kb)
- Charitable promotions policy (docx)
- Charitable promotions policy (pdf)
- Rules applicable to all professional boxing and combat sports contests conducted in Victoria (docx)
- Rules applicable to all professional boxing and combat sports contests conducted in Victoria (pdf)
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Rules
Boxing
- Rules for the conduct of professional boxing contests in Victoria (docx)
- Rules for the conduct of professional boxing contests in Victoria (pdf)
Kickboxing
- Rules for the conduct of professional kickboxing contests in Victoria (docx)
- Rules for the conduct of professional kickboxing contests in Victoria (pdf)
Muay Thai
- Rules for the conduct of professional Muay Thai contests in Victoria (docx)
- Rules for the conduct of professional Muay Thai contests in Victoria (pdf)
K1
- Rules for the conduct of professional K1 contests in Victoria (docx)
- Rules for the conduct of professional K1 contests in Victoria (pdf)
MMA
- Rules for the conduct of professional MMA contests in Victoria (docx)
- Rules for the conduct of professional MMA contests in Victoria (pdf)
For enquiries about the rules please contact the Combat Sports Unit:
Email: combat.sports@sport.vic.gov.au
Tel: 03 9096 9833
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Statement of Expectations
In December 2017, the Minister for Sport 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:
- Align the Board’s regulatory practices with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Better Regulatory Practice Framework to ensure improved regulatory functions through the development of risk-based strategies
- Improve industry standards through the development of best practice conditions, rules, policies and guidelines
- Improve communication with industry stakeholders, and
- Reduce industry red tape in line with the Government’s Regulation Reform Program.
The Statement of Expectations, Plan on a Page and the Board's response are attached below:
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Approved promotion permits
Below is a list of approved applicants and venues for promotion permits:
- Mendie Bunjaku, Grand Star Reception Altona North, 15 February 2020
- Marc Gelsi, Ultima Function Centre, 22 February 2020
- Lynden Hosking, St Kilda Town Hall, 29 February 2020
- Charles Fernandez, Chelsea Heights Hotel, 14 March 2020
- Jake Ellis, Melbourne pavilion, 21 March 2020
- John Scida, Westend Market Hotel Sunshine, 27 March 2020
- Will Tomlinson, Melbourne Pavilion, 28 March 2020
- Wayne Carl, Club Italia Sporting Club St Albans, 18 April 2020
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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:
- admission fees are paid by the public; and
- 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
Minimum safety standards for recognised amateur associations