Fit and Proper Person Test | Greyhounds Welfare Integrity Commission

Participant registration / Fit and Proper Person Test

Updated 14 July 2022

Section 47 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 requires the Commission to ensure that anyone who registers as a greyhound racing industry participant is a fit and proper person to register.

In assessing whether an applicant is a fit and proper person to register, the Commission will consider the information provided in the application. The Commission will consider all relevant information, such as the applicant’s history in the greyhound racing industry and other racing codes, their honesty, and their ability to perform the role they are applying for.

It is very important that applicants provide full and accurate information in their application. Providing false or misleading information, or failing to provide relevant information, is a matter that is directly relevant to an applicant’s fitness to be part of the greyhound racing industry.

The Commission will also request a National Police Check, which details whether a person has a criminal history. Section 47 of the Act requires the Commission to consider any convictions an applicant may have, and registration may be refused if the Commission considers that the circumstances of the offence warrant this.

The Commission may also request further information from an applicant, or request an interview.

A conviction will not necessarily result in an application for registration being refused. The Commission will consider the circumstances of the conviction, such as the nature of the offence and the applicant’s behaviour since the conviction was recorded.

Section 49(3) of the Act provides that the Commission may refuse to register a person as a greyhound racing industry participant if it is of the opinion that it would be in the best interests of the greyhound racing industry to do so.

The framework below is intended to provide prospective applicants for registration with a better understanding as to how the Commission assesses applications depending on the circumstances of each applicant.

If you require any further information, please contact 13 49 42 for assistance.

Table1: Guidance to applicants regarding the Commission’s application of ‘Fit and Proper’ person test for registration as a greyhound racing industry participant

Criminal history or background of applicant	Commission’s likely position given the history and background of applicant
1. Applicant has convictions for driving offences.	Applicant may be asked for more information. Application is likely to be approved.
2. Applicant has convictions for minor (summary) offences which were dealt with by a court within the last 3 years prior to lodging a registration application.	Applicant may be asked for more information. Application is likely to be approved.
3. Applicant has previous convictions for minor (summary) offences which occurred more than three years ago.	Applicant may be asked for more information. Application is likely to be approved.
4. Applicant has charges pending for a minor summary offence.	Applicant will be asked to attend an interview with Commission and provide character references.
5. Applicant has charges pending for a serious indictable offence.	Applicant will be asked for further information. Application may be refused.
6. Applicant has convictions for repeated criminal offences of any nature.	Application is likely to be refused but may be approved if applicant can demonstrate at least 5 years of no offending.
7. Applicant is serving an Intensive Corrections Order.	Application will be refused. Applicant will be advised to make a new application at the expiry of the Intensive Corrections Order.
8. Applicant is on parole.	Application will be refused. Applicant will be advised to make a new application at the expiry of the parole period.
9. Applicant is disqualified in another racing industry.	Application will be refused.
10. Applicant was previously convicted of a serious offence involving violence, dishonesty, drug offences and sexual offences.	Applicant may be asked for further information. Application may be refused, but the decision will take into account whether the offences occurred more than 5 years ago, and the penalty that was imposed.
11. Applicant was a participant in the greyhound racing industry previously and had been suspended or disqualified. However, in their application they state that they have never been subject to disciplinary action.	Applicant will be asked for further information. Application may be refused.
12. Applicant has previously been charged or convicted of any criminal offence but did not disclose this on their application.	Applicant will be asked for further information. Application may be refused.
13. Applicant is involved in or associated with organised crime.	Application will be refused.
14. Applicant was previously convicted of criminal charges for an animal cruelty offence.	Application will be refused.
15. Industry Interest Consideration - section 49(3) of Greyhound Racing Act.	The Commission may refuse to register a person as a greyhound racing industry participant if it is of the opinion that it would be in the best interests of the greyhound racing industry to do so.
16. Applicant has a disciplinary history within the greyhound, thoroughbred or harness racing industry.	Applicant may be refused, approved or approved with conditions.
17. Applicant has surrendered greyhounds within the previous five years.	Application will be refused.

The Commission determines applications for registration on a case by case basis, based on the information available and having regard to all relevant factors. Where an application for registration is approved, the Commission may place conditions on the registration of a participant.