Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985 (review)

VCAT can review certain decisions made by the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board under the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985.

This page provides general information and should not be considered as legal advice. Seek legal advice if you are unsure about your legal rights. Be aware that the law can change.

Cases we can hear

You may be able to apply to VCAT for a review if you are a person whose interests are affected by a decision of the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board:

  • refusing to issue or renew a licence
  • relating to a licence condition
  • cancelling or suspending a licence
  • disqualifying a person from obtaining a licence
  • banning a person from re-applying for a licence for more than 12 months
  • refusing to register a person as a professional contestant, or to renew registration
  • cancelling or suspending registration of a registered professional contestant.

Cases we cannot hear

You cannot apply to VCAT for a review if you are a prohibited person. See section 16(3) of the Act.

Cases we can't help with

We can’t accept:

  • some cases where one party lives in another state or is a Commonwealth government organisation
  • cases heard under federal law instead of Victorian law.

Legislation that gives VCAT the power to hear these applications

Section 16 of the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Act 1985

If you have a decision document, use it to help you complete the VCAT application form and attach a copy of the document to your application.

Time limits

You must make your application within 28 days of

  • the decision being made, or
  • if you requested a statement of reasons under the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act, the date the statement of reasons was given to you or were informed that a statement of reasons will not be given.

You may be able to apply for an extension to this time limit.

What can VCAT order?

Unless the relevant Act of Parliament gives us different powers, VCAT can:

  • affirm the original decision, in which case the original decision will stand
  • vary the decision
  • set aside the decision and substitute our own decision
  • set aside the decision and send back the matter for reconsideration by the decision maker giving directions or recommendations
  • invite the decision-maker to reconsider their decision at any time during the case .

When we receive an application for review relating to a refusal, condition, cancellation, disqualification or banning decision, we must ask the Board whether the grounds for the decision were wholly or partly based on any advice provided by the Chief Commissioner of Police.

If so, VCAT must ask the Chief Commissioner if the advice was based on any protected information and whether any protected information was given to the Board.

The Chief Commissioner will be joined as a party to the proceeding if section 17B(1) applies.

Section 17 and sections 17A - F of the Act set out special procedures where protected information is involved in the Board’s decision. You should read those sections in full.

Apply

We can explain the application process and what the form is asking you for. Contact us to get support.

We cannot give you legal advice. This means we cannot tell you what to write in your application or recommend how to get the outcome you want.

Seek legal help if you are unsure about your options or need advice about your claim.

Make an application

You may have to pay a fee to apply to VCAT to review a decision. Learn more about fees or apply for fee relief.

Print-friendly application form

Do I need a lawyer or professional representative?

You do not need to have legal or other professional representation to appear at VCAT. If you want to be represented by a lawyer or a professional advocate, usually you must ask for VCAT's permission.

Be aware that the regulatory body in most cases uses legal representation.

Find legal services that may be able to assist you.

Access and privacy

VCAT hearings and files are usually public.

VCAT has limited authority to restrict who can access cases and files but, in certain circumstances, you can apply for confidentiality.