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.
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
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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 document below sets 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:
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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 (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:
- Referees, judges and timekeepers - duties and conditions (docx)
- Match-makers - duties and conditions (docx)
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:
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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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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
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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:
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Approved promotion permits
Below is a list of approved applicants and venues for promotion permits:
- Peter Maniatis, St Kilda Town Hall, 20 April 2024
- Jason Caine, Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, 20 April 2024
- Marc Gelsi, Melbourne Pavilion, 20 April 2024
- Matteo Aresca, Melbourne Pavilion, 26 April 2024
- Jake Ellis, Melbourne Pavilion, 4 May 2024
- Daniel Den Braber, Whitehorse Club, 11 May 2024
- Joe Nader, Melbourne Pavilion, 17 May 2024
- James Barone, Melbourne Pavilion, 24 May 2024
- Wayne Carl, Club Italia Sporting Club, 25 May 2024
- Lim Jeka, Melbourne Pavilion, 31 May 2024
- Bhaskar Sinha, Melbourne Pavilion, 1 June 2024
- Jacob Watts, Melbourne Pavilion, 14 June 2024
- Jake Ellis, Melbourne Pavilion, 19 June 2024
- Robert Fogarty, Croatian Club Footscray, 22 June 2024
- Jake Ellis, Melbourne Pavilion, 24 August 2024
- James Barone, Melbourne Pavilion, 22 November 2024
- Jake Ellis, Melbourne Pavilion, 7 December 2024
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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
Recognised Amateur Associations – Exempted Contest Notification form
Minimum safety standards for recognised amateur associations