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Combat sports industry regulation

The Combat Sports Act 2008 commenced on 1 October 2009.  From that date it replaced the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act 1986 and established the Combat Sports Authority.

The Authority is empowered with the regulation of Combat Sports in NSW. It applies to boxing and wrestling as well as the following sports as listed in the Combat Sports Regulation 2009:

  • Kick Boxing
  • Muay Thai
  • Thai Boxing
  • Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
    - Ultimate Fighting
    - Cage Fighting
  • Ju-jitsu or Jiu-jitsu

Permits will be required for the conduct of amateur and professional Combat Sports events.

The Act provides for the establishment of the Combat Sports Authority of NSW to control and regulate the conduct of professional Combat Sports events in this State.

The Act also sets out the requirements for registration of professional combatants and industry participants (promoters, matchmakers, managers, trainers, seconds, referees, judges and timekeepers). It further determines the conditions under which combatants can compete and events can be staged, restricting free entry into the industry and making participation conditional.

The Act also controls amateur Combat Sports through a permit system administered by Sport and Recreation, a Division of the Office of Communities, under Ministerial delegation.

Our committment

Combat sports are inherently dangerous and the Combat Sports Authority of NSW has been established under legislation to control and regulate the industry.

Registration of all professional combatants and industry participants together with permits to conduct promotions are required under the Act and can be obtained through Sport and Recreation on behalf of the Authority.

The Authority maintains a register of all professional combatants and industry participants and provides general assistance to the industry.

Permits are also required for the conduct of amateur Combat Sports through Sport and Recreation which set out conditions of permit to conduct such events.

Our guarantee

When accessing our services, the combat sports industry can expect:

  • Prompt and courteous service
  • A quick response to correspondence subject to legislative requirements
  • Advice on registration and permit requirements

Permits to be issued subject to legislative requirements.

Combat Sports questions and answers

What is the Combat Sports Act 2008?
The Act is NSW Government legislation which commenced on 1 October 2009.

The Combat Sports Regulation 2009 also operates from that date.

What has happened to the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act 1986 and the Boxing Authority?
The Boxing and Wrestling Control Act 1986 was repealed by the Combat Sports Act 2008. 

The Combat Sports Authority has replaced the Boxing Authority. Decisions and policies of the Boxing Authority continue in effect.

What is the Combat Sports Authority?
The Authority is a NSW Government Board constituted by Part 8 of the Combat Sports Act 2008 with the responsibility for the regulation of Combat Sports in NSW. It has up to 9 members. The Chair is Denis Fitzgerald.

What is the role of Sport and Recreation?
Under the legislation, the Minister provides administrative support to the Combat Sports Authority.  This is provided by staff of Sport and Recreation, a Division of the Office of Communities.

The Executive Officer of the Combat Sports Authority is an employee of the Office of Communities. 

Generally casual staff are employed to undertake the role of Combat Sports Inspectors. 

Which sports are affected?
Section 1 of the Combat Sports Act 2008 defines a ‘combat sport’ as:

(a) boxing (or fist fighting) in any of its styles,
(b) kick boxing in any of its styles,
(c)  any sport, martial art or activity in which each contestant in a contest, display or exhibition of that sport, art or activity is required to strike, kick, hit, grapple with, throw or punch one or more other contestants and that is prescribed by the regulations,
(d) sparring in any category covered in paragraph (a)-(c), except to the extent prescribed by the regulations.

Further to (c) above, Clause 4 of the Combat Sports Regulation 2009 prescribes the following sports:

(a) Wrestling
(b) Muay Thai
(c)  Thai Boxing
(d) Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
(e) Ultimate Fighting
(f)  Cage Fighting
(g) Ju-jitsu or Jiu-jitsu

Who needs to register?
All professional combatants and industry participants will require registration. Industry participants include promoters, trainers, managers, matchmakers, seconds, cornermen, judges and timekeepers.

What do I need to do for registration?
For combatants, there are medical requirements, specifically blood tests for HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

Are there additional requirements for women?
Before any competition women will need to provide medical certification of a negative pregnancy test result, taken within the previous 2 weeks.

They will also be required to wear breast and groin protection.

What training is required?
Certain categories of industry participant will need to demonstrate a knowledge of first aid.

Discussions are underway with TAFE relating to the development of suitable training packages.

How is registration information recorded?
A record book is issued for each registered combatant. The book includes information relating to their history in competition and any relevant decisions by attending doctors at contests, or of the Combat Sports Authority. In the latter case, this information may relate to disciplinary decisions of the Authority.

In addition, each registered person has a file. The file number is the person's registration number.

All personal information, including that relating to serology test results and any other medical investigation or report, is kept and maintained according to the provisions of NSW Government privacy and records management policies, the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002.

All records are subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act).

What is the role of the Combat Sports Authority at contests?
At least one Combat Sports Inspector will be present at all professional Combat Sports events.

What is the role of the Police?
The Combat Sports Act 2008 provides for authorised Police officers to have the powers of Combat Sports Inspectors. The Local Area Commander of the NSW Police Force may nominate an officer for this purpose.

Will the Combat Sports Authority be re-writing the rules of Combat Sports?
In general, the Combat Sports Authority will accept the rules of a sport as determined by the governing body of the sport in Australia or internationally. The Combat Sports Authority may impose additional requirements according to the provisions of the Act.

What about amateur Combat Sports?
Amateur Combat Sports Promoters will need to obtain permits for their contests and have the approval of the relevant sanctioning body.  They should contact Sport and Recreation for advice.

Compliance Officers may be appointed to attend and monitor Amateur contests to ensure that conditions of the amateur permit are adhered to.

What about Pro-Am events?
In the case of Pro-Am events, two permits must be obtained  – one for the professional contest and one for the amateur contest.

The Combat Sport Inspector appointed for the professional event may also undertake the role of Compliance Officer for the amateur contest that is conducted as part of a Pro-Am.

Further information

For further information on the NSW Combat Sports Authority and services available to combat sports please contact:

Project Officer, Combat Sports
Sport and Recreation
Locked Bag 1422
SILVERWATER NSW 2128

Phone: (02) 9006 3852
Fax: (02) 9006 3884
Send an email

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