Maternity Assistance Program

RWWA’s Maternity Assistance Program (MAP) provides financial support to female jockeys and drivers during pregnancy.

The MAP is available to eligible persons at a maximum rate in line with the National Minimum Wage amount. If an eligible person’s average weekly income from race driving or riding for the previous 12 months (excluding time lost through injury) is less than this then the weekly payment will be capped at this lower amount.  If an eligible person commences receiving income from another source during the payment period, they will be required to declare this income to RWWA and their payment may be reduced accordingly.

The MAP is an industry payment and does not confer any employment relationship between the eligible person and RWWA. No superannuation is payable in relation to this payment and any associated taxation is the responsibility of the individual.

To be eligible a jockey or driver must meet the following criteria:

• A full time licenced jockey who meets the following requirements:
  • An Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • A Western Australian resident who has been licenced as a jockey (or apprentice jockey) by RWWA for a period of at least the 2 proceeding years and have ridden regularly in races in WA during this time;
  • Earns income solely from their work as a jockey, with no alternate employment either within or outside of the racing industry; and
  • If the jockey is a holder of any other license with RWWA (e.g. Jockey/Trainer license or licensed in the Harness or Greyhound codes), then they will only be eligible for MAP payments if their riding income is their primary income source (trainer’s income – training fees, Trainers percentage of horse earnings)
• A full time licensed harness driver who meets the following requirements:
  • An Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • A Western Australian resident who has been licenced as A or B Driver by RWWA for a period of at least the 2 proceeding years and have driven regularly in races in WA during this time;
  • Earns income solely from their work as a driver, with no alternate employment either within or outside of the racing industry; and
  • If the driver is a holder of any other license with RWWA (e.g. Trainer Harness or Greyhound) or licensed in the Thoroughbred or Greyhound codes) then they will only be eligible for MAP payments if their driving income is their primary income source (trainer’s income – training fees, Trainers percentage of horse earnings).

Please note apprentice jockeys do not require MAP, as all apprentices in Western Australia are employed by RWWA, and therefore RWWA undertakes to find them alternate safe duties during the period they are unable to ride after the first trimester, paying them their weekly wage until they become eligible for the Federal Government’s Parental Leave provisions.

Applications will be assessed to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements and applicants will be contacted to confirm if their application is approved, or if denied, the reasons why a claim is ineligible.

Payments will be made by RWWA on a weekly basis in arrears to the bank details recorded by RWWA via the industry payments process.

Eligible persons may be entitled to access the Federal Government’s Paid Parental Leave Scheme following the birth of their child. Information can be obtained from the Department of Human Services.

For further information or to access an application form, please contact RWWA’s Racing Industry Training team:

Email:    training@rwwa.com.au