Applications

In Victoria, persons engaging or participating in professional boxing and combat sports, including amateur MMA and exhibition bouts must be licensed or registered and comply with a range of requirements. Contests and exhibitions require a permit and must be held in accordance with the conditions of a permit granted.

All professional contests and exhibitions must be conducted under the supervision of a medical practitioner approved by the Board with the support of a second medical officer.

Professional contestant registration

To apply to register as a professional contestant in Victoria, you must complete an online application form, view the concussion education video as part of that application process, provide supporting documentation and pay the application fee.

Professional official’s licence

To apply for a licence in Victoria, you must complete an online application form, view a concussion education video as part of that application process, provide supporting documentation and pay the application fee.

The supporting documentation required to complete your application depends on the category of licence that you are seeking to apply for.

Medical practitioners

Medical practitioners are authorised by the Board to fulfil the requirements of ringside doctors and are appointed by licensed promoters.

In Victoria, it is a requirement that a second medical officer is also present at promotions to support the medical practitioner in providing care to contestants.  A secondary medical officer can be a second doctor, a registered division 1 nurse, a final year medical student or a paramedic, and are also appointed by licensed promoters.

Promotion permits

A permit is required to conduct a professional combat sport contest  in Victoria. The Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985 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.

A contest or exhibition is NOT considered a ‘professional boxing and combat sports contest or exhibition’ if the admission fee is for:

• A public charitable purpose; or
• An event that is organised or under the control of an amateur association formally recognised by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events under the Act and the fees are put towards the administration of the recognised association.

To apply for a promotion permit, you must complete an online application form, view a concussion education video as part of that application process and pay the application fee.

Application fees

Refunds of application fees

Application fees for a registration or a licence will only be refunded in exceptional circumstances.

Requests to refund an application fee for a registration or licence should be made in writing to the Board, explaining the reason for the requested refund.

Requests to refund an application fee for a registration or licence will be considered by the Board on their own merit.

The Board will refund the fee if a permit is withdrawn due to the Board being unable to appoint adequate officials or confirm Board member attendance.

The Board will consider a request to vary the date or venue of a permit if the request is received in writing at least 14 days prior to the original approved date. In such cases a new permit application form must be completed and meet the regulatory requirements including being received by the Board at least 14 days before the date of the promotion.

The Board will not refund the fee if a promotion is cancelled.

Requirements

Registered contestants, official licence holders and approved permits for promotions are subject to a range of conditions and requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in additional requirements being applied, suspension or cancellation of registrations, licences or permits.

Medical practitioners (ringside doctors and second medical officers) are required to uphold the requirements associated with managing contestant safety and injuries at promotions that are supervised by the Board.

Review by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)

A decision by the Board to not award a registration or licence or to cancel or suspend a registration or licence can be reviewed by VCAT.