RWWA is introducing a new rule of racing, which requires racing participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The rule states that:

• Any person (other than a greyhound owner), who is licenced or approved by RWWA or who is otherwise authorised by the RWWA Rules of Racing or stewards to conduct any activity associated with the running of a race meeting, trials, trackwork or similar must be fully vaccinated and ensure their staff and contractors involved in such activities are fully vaccinated by 12.01am on 5 February 2022.

Therefore, activities that are subject to a licence must only be performed by licensed persons who are compliant with the rule.

Licensed persons must ensure their staff and contractors involved in activities associated with the running of a race meeting, trials or trackwork are also fully vaccinated.

Any person who is not compliant with the requirements shall be excluded from attending RWWA approved stables and/or training establishments, any racetracks, trial tracks or other venues controlled or operated by RWWA.

To view the rule, click here.

Fully vaccinated means having received at least two doses of a registered COVID-19 vaccination and a third dose vaccination within one month of being deemed eligible to receive it (noting that government directions and health advice on the timing of third dose vaccinations may change).

A person is exempt, or temporarily exempt, from the vaccination requirement for the following reasons:

• if the person has a medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register or a temporary exemption issued to the person by the Chief Health Officer of Western Australia or their delegate. Further information is available here.
• if there are technical, administrative or other factors outside the person’s control which prevent compliance and RWWA issues an exemption on this basis.

Please note, from 31 January 2022, the WA Government will be implementing expanded public health measures, which will mean all persons ages 16 years and over (including licensed persons) must provide proof of being double dose vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter certain race meetings in WA. For further information, click here.

Therefore, any temporary exemptions issued by RWWA to licensed persons following written request, apply only to maintaining an active licence and do not enable entry to any person who cannot meet the above government requirement.

Email your request: please send your request to RWWA Chief Integrity Officer Denis Borovica at denis.borovica@rwwa.com.au.

 Subject: please title your email “Temporary Exemption to Local Rule Vaccination Request”

Email body: please include the following details within your email:

• Licensee full name and date of birth
• Licence category (include code e.g., Harness Trainer) and licence number (if known)
• Description of what sort of exemption you are seeking, your reasons and what your intentions are (i.e. What are you requesting to do if granted a temporary exemption?)
• Attach supporting documents, including proof of any vaccinations already had or booked to have.

Approvals may be subject to conditions, but if approved, such approval will not enable you to attend certain racetracks, as from the 31 January the WA Government requires all persons aged 16 years and over attending a race meeting at certain venues to provide proof of being double dose vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter. For further information, click here.

Once you have had your second vaccination, you are required to upload your proof of vaccination via CredShare or send as a text to the Licensing and Registration mobile number, further details here.

The rule came into effect on 5 February 2022 and will remains in effect until further advised by RWWA.

The COVID-19 vaccine is an important measure to keep WA safe and healthy, and will help protect the community.

To safeguard the continuation of racing, it is necessary for the racing industry to adopt an approach consistent with the continuing expansions of current proof of vaccination requirements.

For racing to properly function without unplanned disruptions, it is imperative that racing participants are fully vaccinated.

Most racing jurisdictions in Australia and sporting codes have adopted similar arrangements to protect the racing community from the continuing threat of COVID-19.

RWWA will continue to closely monitor and follow the advice of health authorities to ensure that appropriate measures are in place.

Industry participants are able to provide proof of vaccination for RWWA’s new local rule via one of the following ways:

• CredShare email request: RWWA has engaged a third-party provider, CredShare, to verify the vaccination status of licenced participants. CredShare will ensure your information is stored securely and not used for any other purposes than compliance with the rule. All participants should have received an email from CredShare requesting verification of vaccination status . If you have not received an email, please first check your junk email folder, otherwise please contact licreginfo@rwwa.com.au or (08) 9445 5558.
• Text message: you can send a copy of your Digital Vaccination Certificate to RWWA’s Licencing and Registration on 0418 104 309.

For further instructions, please click here.

Please note that you may still be required to show proof of vaccination when entering public facilities at racecourses, as individual race clubs are responsible for ensuring compliance with State Government Directions regarding public events.

Activities that are subject to a licence must only be performed by licensed persons who are compliant with the rule.

Therefore, the licence, approval or authority of any person who is not fully vaccinated by 12.01am on 5 February 2022 will be suspended until such time as they comply with the rule or such time that this rule ceases to be in effect.

In the event an individual’s licence is suspended due to non-compliance with the rule, they are able to maintain racing animals on their property and will remain bound to the Rules of Racing. However, any activities that are subject to a licence (e.g. training, participating in training activities or the preparation of a racing animal) is not allowed.

Licensed persons must also ensure their staff and contractors involved in activities associated with the running of a race meeting, trials or trackwork are also fully vaccinated.

Any person who is not compliant with the requirements shall be excluded from attending RWWA approved stables and/or training establishments, any racetracks, trial tracks or other venues controlled or operated by RWWA.

Please note a person is exempt, or temporarily exempt, from the vaccination requirement for the following reasons:

• if the person has a medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register or a temporary exemption issued to the person by the Chief Health Officer of Western Australia or their delegate. Further information is available here.
• if there are technical, administrative or other factors outside the person’s control which prevent compliance and RWWA issues an exemption on this basis.

Please note, from 31 January 2022, the WA Government will be implementing expanded public health measures, which will mean all persons ages 16 years and over (including licensed persons) must provide proof of being double dose vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter certain race meetings. For further information, click here.

Therefore, any temporary exemptions issued by RWWA to licensed persons following written request, apply only to maintaining an active licence and do not enable entry to any person who cannot meet the above government requirement.

A person is temporarily exempt from the requirements if there are technical, administrative or other factors outside the person’s control which prevent compliance and RWWA issues an exemption on this basis. Therefore, if a person has received one dose and are able to satisfy RWWA that they have the second vaccination booked within the required period, a temporary exemption may be applied.

In granting any temporary exemptions, RWWA may also impose conditions or restrictions of enter (e.g. a trainer may be granted a temporary exemption and permitted to train from their premises, but not attend any race or trial tracks until fully compliant with the rule).

Please note, from 31 January 2022, the WA Government will be implementing expanded public health measures, which will mean all persons ages 16 years and over (including licensed persons) must provide proof of being double dose vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter certain race meetings. For further information, click here.

Therefore, any temporary exemptions issued by RWWA to licensed persons following written request, apply only to maintaining an active licence and do not enable entry to any person who cannot meet the above government requirement.

No, as any person who is not fully vaccinated by 12.01am on 5 February 2022 will be suspended until such time as they comply with the rule or such time that this rule ceases to be in effect. Therefore, any person who is not compliant with the requirements will not be able to nominate racing animals.

Please note a person is exempt, or temporarily exempt, from the vaccination requirement for the following reasons:

• if the person has a medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register or a temporary exemption issued to the person by the Chief Health Officer of Western Australia or their delegate. Further information is available here.
• if there are technical, administrative or other factors outside the person’s control which prevent compliance and RWWA issues an exemption on this basis.

Please note, from 31 January 2022, the WA Government will be implementing expanded public health measures, which will mean all persons ages 16 years and over (including licensed persons) must provide proof of being double dose vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter certain race meetings. For further information, click here.

Therefore, any temporary exemptions issued by RWWA to licensed persons following written request, apply only to maintaining an active licence and do not enable entry to any person who cannot meet the above government requirement.

Activities that are subject to a licence must only be performed by licensed persons who are compliant with the rule.

Licensed persons must ensure their staff and contractors involved in activities associated with the running of a race meeting, trials or trackwork are also fully vaccinated.

Any person who is not compliant with the requirements shall be excluded from attending RWWA approved stables and/or training establishments, any racetracks, trial tracks or other venues controlled or operated by RWWA.

Please note a person is exempt, or temporarily exempt, from the vaccination requirement for the following reasons:

• if the person has a medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register or a temporary exemption issued to the person by the Chief Health Officer of Western Australia or their delegate. Further information is available here.
• if there are technical, administrative or other factors outside the person’s control which prevent compliance and RWWA issues an exemption on this basis.

Individuals do not require proof of vaccination to own a racing animal. However, current WA Government public health rules for Perth and Peel require proof of double-dose vaccination by patrons at race meetings in the region, including:

• Ascot
• Belmont Park
• Gloucester Park
• Pinjarra Park
• Pinjarra Paceway
• Cannington
• Mandurah

Please note from 31 January 2022, the WA Government will be implementing expanding these public health measures to the entire state, which will mean all patrons ages 16 years and over (including licensed persons) must provide proof of being double dose vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter any race meeting in WA.

Details on how to show proof of vaccination requirements are here.

In the event an individual’s licence is suspended due to non-compliance with the rule, they are able to maintain racing animals on their property and are still bound by the Rules of Racing, which includes their obligation to continue to provide the required care for any animals under their control. However, any activities that are subject to a licence (e.g. training, participating in training activities or the preparation of a racing animal) is not allowed.

If a decision is made to retire/deregister a horse/greyhound from the racing industry, the last registered managing owner or the person in control of the animal at the relevant time, must to the satisfaction of the Stewards, make reasonable effort to rehome the horse/greyhound. Failure to comply with these rules may result in penalties.

Please refer to the following RWWA Rules of Racing in relation to the specific requirements for the retirement of racing animals:

• Thoroughbred: RWWA Rules of Racing Local Rule 313
• Harness: RWWA Rules of Racing Local Rule 96B
• Greyhound: RWWA Rules of Racing Local Rule 106

The RWWA Rules of Racing can be found here.

Information on where to get vaccinated is on the Roll up for WA website.

Information on when you are eligible to get you booster shot is available on the Roll up for WA website.

For any questions regarding the new rule, please contact licencing on licreginfo@rwwa.com.au or (08) 9445 5558.

It is understood that these are uncertain times for many individuals and therefore please be reminded that RWWA’s Racing Assist provides free confidential support through counselling to any licenced participant, whether it be due to racing-related or personal issues. For more information, click here.