{"id":"nsw:act-2003-044","name":"Sporting Venues (Invasions) Act 2003","slug":"sporting-venues-invasions-act-2003","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"44 of 2003","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":104848,"registerId":"nsw-act-2003-044-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act is the [Sporting Venues (Invasions) Act 2003](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2003-044).\n> \n> **s 1:** Am 2009 No 21, Sch 2 \\[2\\].","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Act commences on the date of assent to this Act.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> > (1) In this Act:\n> > \n> > authorised officer means:\n> > \n> > > (a) in connection with the operation of a provision of this Act in respect of a sporting venue—a person authorised for the purposes of this Act by the venue director, and\n> > \n> > > (b) a police officer.\n> > \n> > controlling body for a race meeting or trial meeting means:\n> > \n> > > (a) in the case of a race meeting or trial meeting for horse racing, Racing New South Wales constituted under the [Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1996-037), or\n> > \n> > > (b) in the case of a race meeting or trial meeting for harness racing, Harness Racing New South Wales constituted under the [Harness Racing Act 2009](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-020), or\n> > \n> > > (c) in the case of a race meeting or trial meeting for greyhound racing, the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission.\n> > \n> > designated sporting venue means a venue for sporting activities prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this Act.\n> > \n> > exercise a function includes perform a duty.\n> > \n> > function includes a power, authority or duty.\n> > \n> > match means a sporting match, sporting game or sporting competition, and includes any performance or formalities held or conducted in conjunction with the match, but does not include a training session or rehearsal.\n> > \n> > playing field means the playing field or other competition area of a sporting venue, and includes any area between the playing field and any structure intended to be a barrier between competitors competing on the competition area and spectators.\n> > \n> > race meeting has the same meaning as in the [Racing Administration Act 1998](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1998-114).\n> > \n> > racecourse means a racecourse licensed under the [Racing Administration Act 1998](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1998-114).\n> > \n> > sporting venue means a designated sporting venue or a racecourse.\n> > \n> > trial meeting has the same meaning as in the [Racing Administration Act 1998](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1998-114).\n> > \n> > venue director means:\n> > \n> > > (a) in the case of a designated sporting venue, the occupier of the venue and includes, in respect of a match at the venue, any person authorised by the occupier of the venue to be the venue director in respect of the match, or\n> > \n> > > (b) in the case of a racecourse, the controlling body for the race meeting or trial meeting taking place at the racecourse.\n> > \n> > Note—\n> > \n> > The [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.\n> \n> > (2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.\n> \n> **s 3:** Am 2009 No 21, Sch 2 \\[3\\]–\\[6\\]; 2009 No 73, Sch 4 \\[1\\]; 2016 No 27, Sch 1.25; 2017 No 13, Sch 7.12.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Invasions at sporting venues","content":"# Part 2 Invasions at sporting venues\n\nPart 2 Invasions at sporting venues\n\n**pt 2, hdg:** Subst 2009 No 21, Sch 2 \\[7\\].","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Pitch invasions prohibited","content":"#### 4 Pitch invasions prohibited\n\n4 Pitch invasions prohibited\n\n> A person must not enter or remain on the playing field of a designated sporting venue during a match held with the authorisation of the venue director unless the person:\n> \n> > (a) is a participant in the match, or\n> \n> > (b) is engaged in the control or management of the match, or\n> \n> > (c) is an authorised officer, or\n> \n> > (d) has, or is a member of a class of persons who have, been authorised by the venue director or an authorised officer to enter the playing field.\n> \n> Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"4A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Racecourse invasions prohibited","content":"#### 4A Racecourse invasions prohibited\n\n4A Racecourse invasions prohibited\n\n> > (1) A person must not enter or remain in or on a restricted area of a racecourse during a race meeting or trial meeting unless the person:\n> > \n> > > (a) is a rider or harness racing driver participating in the race meeting or trial meeting, or\n> > \n> > > (b) is authorised to do so by the controlling body for the race meeting or trial meeting or an authorised officer, or\n> > \n> > > (c) is engaged in the control or management of the race meeting or trial meeting, or\n> > \n> > > (d) is an authorised officer.\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.\n> \n> > (2) In this section, restricted area of a racecourse means:\n> > \n> > > (a) any racetrack, course proper or other racing surface, parade ring, race day tie-up stall, kennel or swabbing area, including any pathways connecting any of those places, or\n> > \n> > > (b) any other area of a racecourse that is prescribed by the regulations as a restricted area for the purposes of this section.\n> \n> **s 4A:** Ins 2009 No 21, Sch 2 \\[8\\].","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"12-month ban for invasion of sporting venue","content":"#### 5 12-month ban for invasion of sporting venue\n\n5 12-month ban for invasion of sporting venue\n\n> A person who is removed from a sporting venue for a contravention of section 4 or 4A at the venue is banned for 12 months from entering the venue (the ban starting from when the person was removed from the venue).\n> \n> **s 5:** Am 2009 No 21, Sch 2 \\[9\\].","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Life ban for further invasion or entry of sporting venue when banned","content":"#### 6 Life ban for further invasion or entry of sporting venue when banned\n\n6 Life ban for further invasion or entry of sporting venue when banned\n\n> > (1) A person is banned for life from entering a sporting venue if the person is removed from the venue:\n> > \n> > > (a) for a contravention of section 4 or 4A at the venue, having previously been banned under this Part from entering the venue (whether or not the ban is still in force), or\n> > \n> > > (b) for a contravention of section 8 at the venue.\n> \n> > (2) The life ban starts from when the person was removed from the venue.\n> \n> **s 6:** Am 2009 No 21, Sch 2 \\[10\\] \\[11\\].","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Part extended to all major event venues","content":"#### 7 Part extended to all major event venues\n\n7 Part extended to all major event venues\n\n> > (1) A person who is banned under any of the following provisions from entering a major event venue as a result of a contravention of a law at a major event match is (while so banned) also banned from entering any other venue of that major event on any day that a major event match is held there:\n> > \n> > > (a) this Part,\n> > \n> > > (b) clause 16 of the [Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium By-law 2009](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2009-0431),\n> > \n> > > (c) clause 18 of the [Sydney Olympic Park Authority Regulation 2007](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2007-0429).\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of this Part:\n> > \n> > major event has the same meaning as in the [Major Events Act 2009](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-073).\n> > \n> > major event match means a match of a major event that is a sporting competition.\n> > \n> > major event venue means a sporting venue in the State that is the venue for a major event match.\n> \n> **s 7:** Subst 2009 No 73, Sch 4 \\[2\\].","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Offence of contravening a ban","content":"#### 8 Offence of contravening a ban\n\n8 Offence of contravening a ban\n\n> A person who is banned from entering a sporting venue under this Part must not enter the sporting venue while the ban is in force.\n> \n> Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Removal from venue for invasion or contravention of ban","content":"#### 9 Removal from venue for invasion or contravention of ban\n\n9 Removal from venue for invasion or contravention of ban\n\n> > (1) A person who contravenes any provision of this Part at a sporting venue may be removed from the venue by an authorised officer.\n> \n> > (2) An authorised officer acting in accordance with this section may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of exercising the officer’s functions under this section.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement to state name and address","content":"#### 10 Requirement to state name and address\n\n10 Requirement to state name and address\n\n> > (1) An authorised officer at a sporting venue who suspects on reasonable grounds that a person at the venue has committed, or has been involved in the commission of, a contravention of a provision of this Part at the venue may require the person to state his or her full name and residential address.\n> \n> > (2) A person must not:\n> > \n> > > (a) fail without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement under this section, or\n> > \n> > > (b) in purported compliance with such a requirement, furnish information that the person knows to be false or misleading in a material particular.\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n> \n> > (3) A person is not guilty of an offence against this section unless it is established that the authorised officer warned the person that the failure to comply with the requirement is an offence.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Taking photographs of certain persons","content":"#### 11 Taking photographs of certain persons\n\n11 Taking photographs of certain persons\n\n> An authorised officer at a sporting venue who suspects on reasonable grounds that a person at the venue has committed, or has been involved in the commission of, a contravention of a provision of this Part at the venue may take a photograph or make another form of image of the person.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 3 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 3 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Penalty notices","content":"#### 12 Penalty notices\n\n12 Penalty notices\n\n> > (1) A police officer may issue a penalty notice to a person if it appears to the officer that the person has committed an offence against a provision of Part 2.\n> \n> > (2) The [Fines Act 1996](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1996-099) applies to a penalty notice issued under this section.\n> > \n> > Note—\n> > \n> > The [Fines Act 1996](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1996-099) provides that, if a person issued with a penalty notice does not wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person may pay the amount specified in the notice and is not liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.\n> \n> > (3) The amount payable under a penalty notice issued under this section is:\n> > \n> > > (a) the amount prescribed for the alleged offence by the regulations (not exceeding the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed for the offence by a court), or\n> > \n> > > (b) if no amount is prescribed—$500.\n> \n> > (4) This section does not affect a ban under Part 2, such a ban remaining in force notwithstanding the payment of an amount payable under this section.\n> \n> > (5) This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.\n> \n> **s 12:** Subst 2017 No 22, Sch 3.71.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 13\n\n13 (Repealed)","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Nature of proceedings for offences","content":"#### 14 Nature of proceedings for offences\n\n14 Nature of proceedings for offences\n\n> Proceedings for an offence under this Act may be dealt with summarily before the Local Court.\n> \n> **s 14:** Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 15 Regulations\n\n15 Regulations\n\n> The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Savings and transitional provisions","content":"#### 16 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n16 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n> Schedule 1 has effect.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 17\n\n17 (Repealed)","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Savings and transitional provisions","content":"# Schedule 1 Savings and transitional provisions\n\nSchedule 1 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n(Section 16)","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 2","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule 2\n\nSchedule 2 (Repealed)\n\n**sch 2:** Rep 2005 No 64, Sch 3.","sortOrder":25}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The scope appears to have broadened from the original intent. The Act was originally named the 'Sporting Venues (Pitch Invasions) Act 2003', with 'pitch' suggesting a focus on the playing field specifically (e.g. a cricket oval or football pitch). The rename to 'Sporting Venues (Invasions) Act' removes this limitation, suggesting the law was expanded to cover invasions of a wider range of areas within sporting venues — not just the playing surface but potentially other restricted zones such as change rooms, media areas, or spectator exclusion zones."},"complexity_factors":["Only metadata and status information was provided — the actual operative provisions of the Act are absent from this extract, limiting full analysis","The Act has been amended multiple times across different versions (2003, 2005, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2018), suggesting incremental legislative changes that may interact with each other","The name change from 'Pitch Invasions' to 'Invasions' implies a broadening of scope that may have added definitional complexity","Interaction with other NSW laws (e.g. Summary Offences Act, Major Events legislation, Liquor Act) is likely but not visible from this extract","The concept of what constitutes a 'sporting venue' and a restricted 'area' may require careful definition in the full Act"],"plain_english_summary":"The Sporting Venues (Invasions) Act 2003 (NSW) makes it an offence to unlawfully enter playing areas or other restricted parts of sporting venues during events, giving police and venue officials powers to remove, ban or penalise offenders. It affects spectators, venue operators and enforcement authorities, was broadened from “pitch invasions,” updated several times (most recently 2018), and is administered by the Minister for Police and Counter‑terrorism."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2003 Act appears to have been limited to 'designated sporting venues' (pitch invasions at traditional sports). The 2009 amendments significantly expanded scope by adding section 4A to cover racecourse invasions (horse, harness, and greyhound racing), and section 7 to create cross-venue banning powers during major events. The definition of 'sporting venue' was expanded to include racecourses, and 'controlling bodies' for racing were added as venue directors. This transformed the Act from a simple 'anti-pitch invasion' law for ball sports into a broader 'sporting venue security' statute covering racing and major events."},"complexity_factors":["Short statute with only 16 operative sections (excluding repealed provisions)","Straightforward offence structure: basic prohibition + exceptions in subsections (a)-(d)","Limited cross-referencing: only references to Racing Administration Act 1998, Major Events Act 2009, and Fines Act 1996 for definitions and procedural matters","Simple penalty structure: flat rates of 50 penalty units for main offences, 20 for minor offences","Minimal conditional logic: bans operate automatically upon removal, with only two tiers (12-month and life)","Only 12 defined terms in section 3, most using plain language or referring to external statutes","No nested exceptions or complex deeming provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act makes it illegal for spectators to run onto the field or restricted areas during professional sports events in New South Wales. It creates a system of escalating bans for people who invade sporting venues.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n* **Spectators at major sporting events** – anyone attending matches at designated sporting venues or racecourses\n* **Venue operators** – the people who run stadiums, racecourses, and other sporting venues\n* **Racing bodies** – organisations like Racing NSW, Harness Racing NSW, and the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission\n* **Authorised officers and police** – who have powers to remove offenders, take photos, and issue fines\n\n**Key rules:**\n\n* **Don't invade the field:** It's an offence (with a maximum fine of 50 penalty units) to enter the playing field during a match unless you're a player, official, authorised officer, or have explicit permission.\n* **Don't invade the racecourse:** Similarly, you can't enter restricted areas of a racecourse (like the track, parade ring, or kennels) during race meetings unless authorised.\n* **Automatic 12-month ban:** If you're removed from a venue for invading the field, you're automatically banned from that venue for 12 months.\n* **Life ban for repeat offenders:** If you invade again, or if you enter a venue while you're already banned, you face a lifetime ban from that venue.\n* **Cross-venue bans for major events:** During major events (like the Olympics or World Cup), a ban from one venue applies to all venues hosting that event.\n* **Police powers:** Officers can remove offenders using reasonable force, demand your name and address, and take your photograph. Police can also issue on-the-spot fines ($500 or a prescribed amount).\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis law protects player safety and event integrity by deterring spectators from disrupting matches. The escalating ban system (12 months, then life) is designed to punish repeat offenders severely while allowing first-time offenders a path back after a year. The photography provision helps venues identify banned individuals trying to re-enter."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The text defines a narrow, venue-focused scope: designated sporting venues and racecourses, with an explicit extension to major event venues on match days (ss 3, 4, 4A, 7). Nothing in the provided instrument alters that target population or expands the subject beyond unauthorised entry and related enforcement measures; any variations rely on regulations prescribing venues or restricted areas (ss 4A(2), 15)."},"complexity_factors":["Clear, limited subject matter: offences focused on unauthorised entry to playing fields and racecourse restricted areas (ss 4, 4A).","Multiple sanction types: criminal penalties, penalty notices, removal powers, 12-month and life bans (ss 4, 5, 6, 8, 12).","Defined decision-makers and delegated authority: venue director, controlling body and authorised officers determine authorisations and effect enforcement (s 3; ss 4, 4A, 9).","Enforcement powers with discretion: authorised officers may require name/address, take images and use reasonable force when removing persons (ss 9–11).","Cross-references to other legislation and regulated definitions (e.g. racecourse, race meeting, major event) increase interpretive links (s 3; s 7).","Regulatory scope for prescribed venues and restricted areas permits variable coverage by regulation, adding implementation variability (ss 3, 4A(2), 15)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act makes it an offence to enter or remain on the playing field of a designated sporting venue or in prescribed restricted areas of a racecourse during matches or race meetings unless authorised, and it creates removal powers, fines and fixed-term (12 month) and life bans for breaches (ss 4, 4A, 5–9, 12). Venue directors, controlling bodies and police determine who is authorised to enter (s 3); offenders face penalties, removal and possible photographic identification or name/address requirements (ss 9–11)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/sporting-venues-invasions-act-2003","history":"/api/acts/sporting-venues-invasions-act-2003/history","analysis":"/api/acts/sporting-venues-invasions-act-2003/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/sporting-venues-invasions-act-2003/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/sporting-venues-invasions-act-2003/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/sporting-venues-invasions-act-2003/documents"}}