Controlled Sports (Combat Sports)
The Controlled Sports Act 2019 commenced on Friday 11 October 2019. Applications are no longer being accepted under the Boxing Control Act 1993.
Overview of Changes from existing model
The Controlled Sports Act 2019 regulates the conduct of specified events involving combat sports or other high-risk activities. This includes a comprehensive framework to support health and safety and integrity objectives including:
- the registration of officials (from promoters to medical personnel);
- the registration of contestants, subject to appropriate medical clearances;
- the registration of events and approved sporting organisations;
- rules for the conduct of events generally, with minimum standards (e.g. prohibited techniques and age requirements); and
- compliance and enforcement initiatives (e.g. inspectorate functions).
What is still to happen?
The ACT Government is finalising arrangements for the Act. This includes:
Applications for registrable events & notifications of non-registrable events:
Applications to hold a registrable controlled sports event, or notify of a non-registrable controlled sports event can be made via the controlled sports events applications page (opens in new window).
Applications to register as an official or contestant in the ACT:
Applications to register as an official or contestant may be made from the Contestant and Official registration page (opens in new window).
Important notes about contestant and official registration:
- ALL promoters must be registered in the ACT, including those residing interstate.
- ACT residents currently registered in another jurisdiction have 12 months to register in the ACT, or until their registration requires renewal. Interstate registrations will be recognised until 10 October 2020.
- Registrations from NSW, VIC, WA and SA are currently recognised for interstate contestants and officials. There is no need to register in the ACT. You registration will be verified with the relevant state.
Applications to become an Authorised Controlled Sports Body for non-registrable events:
Applications to become an Authorised Controlled Sports Body can be made via the Authorised Controlled Sports Body page (opens in new window).
Applications for light contact combat sports exemption:
Applications to have your combat sport (or a particular discipline) exempted on a light contact basis can be made via the light contact exemptions page (opens in new window).
Fees
The new fees for events taking place after commencement of the Act on 11 October 2019 will be:
Registration Fees | |
Promoter/Manager/Matchmaker application fee | $480 |
Corporation applying as a Promoter application fee | $880 |
Trainer/Second/Judge/Referee/Timekeeper application fee | $100 |
Medical Practitioner application fee | Nil |
Contestant application fee for one or more styles of combat sport – initial | $100 |
Contestant to add additional styles of combat sport to current registration | $50 |
Registration renewal application fee | As per new application fee |
* Registration is valid for three years.
Registrable Events | |
Application fee for up to 500 tickets to be sold | $850 |
Application fee for between 501 to 2000 tickets to be sold | $2,000 |
Application fee for 2001 or more tickets to be sold | $5,000 |
* Ticket means a ticket or entry voucher that admits one person only as a spectator.
Non-Registrable Events | |
Application for declaration as an Authorised Controlled Sports Body | Nil |
Notification of non-registrable event | Nil |
Light Contact Combat Sports Exemption Applications | |
Application for a declaration that a light contact combat sport is not a controlled sport | Nil |
Fee Refund Policy
Applications for refunds of a fee paid can be made to the Controlled Sports Registrar. Refunds will be issued in accordance with the Controlled Sports Fee Refund Policy.
| Fee Refund Policy - Word (opens in new window) | Fee Refund Policy - PDF (opens in new window) |
|---|---|
| Fee Refund Policy - Word |
Useful Links
Controlled Sports Code of Practice
Controlled Sports Public Interest Guidelines
Contact Us
Contact the Controlled Sports Registrar in Access Canberra, Licencing and Registrations Team:
| controlledsports@act.gov.au | |
| Call | 13 22 81 |
| Online Feedback | You can also contact Access Canberra using the online feedback system, |
| In Person | Visit us at one of the Access Canberra shopfronts |
| Post | Contact us via post |
Community Consultations Reports Released
In June 2019, the ACT Government consulted on three pieces of subordinate legislation have formed part of the new Controlled Sports Act 2019 operations.Stakeholders were able to have their say on:
- The proposed Code of Practice applicable to both registrable and non-registrable events;
- Establishing a minimum age for participation in controlled sports events; and
- Arrangements for non-registrable events including:
- How to become an Authorised Controlled Sports Body
- Requirements that must be met for Authorised Controlled Sports Bodies to approve non-registrable events
- Notification requirements for non-registrable events
Industry stakeholders were also invited to review two policies relating to components of the legislation that have been raised in previous consultations. These are:
- The Light Contact Combat Sports Exemption Policy - this policy explains how to apply for exemption as a light contact combat sport under Section 8 of the Act.
- The Commercial Purpose Policy - this policy explains how commercial purpose will be determined in distinguishing between registrable and non-registrable events.
Two reports have been prepared in relation to the consultation. The Report on What We Heard provides a brief overview of stakeholder views on the matters outlined above, while the Stakeholder Consultation Report provides more detail on the methodology used, as well as more detailed analysis. The reports are available for download below. Final documents are now policies and subordinate legislation are now available on this website.
| Report | Documents for Download (Opens in new window) | |
|---|---|---|
| Report on What We Heard | Report on What We Heard - PDF | Report on What We Heard - Word |
| Stakeholder Consultation Report | Stakeholder Consultation Report - PDF | Stakeholder Consultation Report - Word |