What it does
The Combat Sports Act 2013 establishes a comprehensive licensing, safety and disciplinary regime for both amateur and professional combat sports contests in New South Wales. At its core the Act creates the Combat Sports Authority (s 79) and charges it with supervising and regulating combat sport (s 81(1)(a)), advising the Minister, and promoting awareness of sector issues.
The legislation distinguishes between amateur and professional contests (s 5, as substituted by 2024 No 16, Sch 1[4]). An amateur contest must be approved by a relevant approved amateur body, conducted under that body’s approved rules, use a match-maker nominated by the body, involve only unregistered professional combatants, and meet any additional regulatory criteria. Any contest that is not an amateur contest or an exhibition contest is deemed professional. This binary classification determines which registration classes, medical obligations and permit requirements apply.
Registration is the Act’s central control mechanism. Part 2, Division 1 requires every combatant to be registered in the appropriate class before engaging in a contest (s 9). The Authority, with Ministerial approval, determines the available registration classes (s 10). Applications must be accompanied by a current certificate of fitness (s 7A), a current serological clearance (s 7), and any other material required by the Authority (s 11(2)). Minors cannot register for professional classes (s 12). The Authority must be satisfied the applicant is fit and proper, meets the minimum age, has satisfied any registration pre-condition, and that grant is not contrary to the person’s health or safety or the public interest (s 13(1)–(2)). Registration normally lasts three years (s 15) but can be shortened on health grounds. Similar registration obligations apply to industry participants (match-makers, managers, trainers, judges, referees, timekeepers and prescribed classes) and to promoters (s 20). Corporations may register as managers or promoters but must nominate a contact person and disclose close associates (s 23(2)(c), inserted by 2024 amendments).