Promotion permits and promoter's duties and conditions

A permit is required to conduct professional boxing and combat sports promotions in Victoria.

The Act defines professional boxing and combat sports as any contest or exhibition (including in the case of boxing, an exhibition of sparring):

• That is conducted for profit; or
• Where contestants participate for a monetary reward; or
• Where admission fees are charged.

A contest or exhibition is NOT considered a professional contest if the admission fee is for:

• A public charitable purpose; or
• An event that is organised by or under the control of an amateur boxing association recognised by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events under the Act (the Minister), or for the purposes of the administration of an amateur combat sport association recognised by the Minister.

Applications for permits

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

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

Duties and conditions of promoter licences and conditions of permits

Licensed promoters are subject to duties and conditions associated with their licence and a range promotion permit conditions. Licensed promoters are also required to comply with the Board’s Code of Conduct, the Act, the Regulations and the Board’s rules for the conduct of professional contests in Victoria.

The Board may make, vary or revoke any conditions specific to a promoter licence or promotion permit and will write to promoters to advise of any changes.

Failure to comply with the promoter duties amounts to an offence under the Act. Failure to comply with the conditions of a promoter licence or permit may result in changes to the conditions or cancellation or suspension of a promoter licence and/or promotion permit.

Licensed promoters are encouraged to be informed of the offences in the Act and the applicable penalties for breach of an offence.

Download: Duties and conditions of promoter licences and conditions of promotion permits Requirements of promoters (DOCX 442.6 KB)

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

Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct sets out the expected standard of behaviour required of registered contestants, licensed officials, promoters, matchmakers and trainers, and ringside doctors. Compliance with this Code of Conduct is a condition of registration and licences, and a requirement of ringside doctors. A breach may result in variation of the conditions, suspension or cancellation of a registration or licence, or withdrawal of approval as a ringside doctor.

1. Follow the rules and accepted practices of boxing and combat sports.
2. Be respectful, honest and courteous towards everyone involved in boxing and combat sports.
3. Accept and follow the decisions and directions of the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board and licensed officials.
4. Do not engage in violent, derogatory, threatening, obscene, indecent or abusive conduct, whether in person or through digital communication (including social media).
5. Do not vilify, sexually harass, intimidate or victimise anyone.
6. Do not discriminate against anyone based on their age, gender, sexual orientation, race, culture, religion or any other irrelevant personal characteristic.
7. Do not match-fix or improperly influence the outcome of any boxing and combat sport contest.
8. Do not gamble on any activity that you are directly or indirectly connected with.
9. Always put contestant health and safety first. Disclose information about a contestant’s health (including recent injuries, illness, rapid weight loss and use of drugs and medicines) and follow medical advice, concussion protocols and medical suspensions.
10. Do not engage in, administer or encourage the improper use of drugs and medicines.
11. Accurately complete and update your registration and licence records (including health information if required).
12. Keep informed and up to date on communications and changes in boxing and combat sports.
13. If you are a licensed judge, referee or timekeeper, maintain an appropriate level of fitness for your role.
14. Do not behave in a way that harms the reputation or interests of the boxing and combat sports industry.

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 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.

A permit to conduct a charitable promotion is not required from the Board.

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 Act where:

• Admission fees are paid by the public; and
• Those fees are for an event that is organised by or under the control of a recognised amateur boxing association, or put to the administration of a recognised amateur combat sport 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).
• Muay Thai Victoria.
• 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.