Promotion permits and promoter's requirements

A permit is required to conduct a professional combat sports promotion in Victoria.

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.

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.

Applications for permits

• A licensed promoter may apply to the Board for a permit to conduct a promotion.
• Advertising  of the promotion should not occur prior to receiving  approval of a permit.
• If approved, a permit is valid only for that promotion.
• 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.

Register to access the online registration, licence and permit application system.

Conditions of permits and responsibilities of promoters

There are range of conditions and requirements associated with promotions that are the responsibility of the licensed promoter. Licensed promoters are expected to comply with the Board’s Code of Conduct and responsibilities and requirements of promotions.

Code of Conduct

Licensed promoters are expected to exhibit exemplar standards at all times and not engage in:

• Violent, threatening, obscene, indecent or abusive language or behaviour.
• Vilification of any kind towards another person.
• Discrimination against another person based on their age, gender or sexual orientation.
• Discrimination against another person based on their race, culture, religion or any other personal characteristic (protected or otherwise).
• Sexual harassment, intimidation or victimisation of another person.
• Competition manipulation and gambling on any activity that you are directly or indirectly connected to.
• Improper use of drugs and medicines.
• Conduct that is detrimental to the reputation or interests of the boxing and combat sports industry.

The Board may make any further conditions, duties and responsibilities specific to a promoter’s  licence or promotion permit and will write to promoters to advise of any specific additions. Failure to comply with the conditions, duties and responsibilities may result in promoter licence and/or promotion permit cancellation or suspension.

You are encouraged to be informed of the offences in the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985 and the applicable penalties for breach of an offence and the requirements of promoters.

Download: List of offences PBCS Act - table of offences (DOCX 141.32 KB)

Download: Requirements of promoters Requirements of promoters (DOCX 413.97 KB)

Charitable promotions and recognised amateur associations

Charitable promotions

It is expected that charitable promotions will be advertised and promoted as a fundraiser for a public charitable purpose and that people paying for tickets or an admission fee are made aware, at the time they make the payment, that the payment amount will be donated to the public charitable purpose named in the promotional material.

Recognised amateur associations

The Minister has the power to recognise amateur associations.

Contests conducted by 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 is not required from the Board.

Current recognised amateur associations:

• Boxing Victoria
• Victorian Amateur Martial Arts Association (VAMAA)
• Victorian Amateur Boxing League (VABL)
• International Mixed Martial Arts Federation Australia (IMMAFA)
• Australian Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Association (AAMMAA)
• World Amateur Kickboxing Organisation (WAKO)
• Kung Fu Wushu Victoria Inc.
• International Freestyle Karate Federation – Mixed Martial Arts (IFKF MMA Inc.)
• World Karate Organisation Shinkyokushinkai Australia Inc.
• Australian Kyokushin Karate Association Inc