Industry Support Programs

Established: 2001

The Apprentice Jockey Training Program is designed to develop the next generation of elite jockeys in Victoria.

Since assuming responsibility in 2001, Racing Victoria has overseen all aspects of the program, including the accreditation of Trainers who employ apprentices. Initially, Racing Victoria also delivered the Certificate IV in Racing (Jockey) as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) under the National Curriculum.

Today, the Certificate IV qualification is delivered by the Racing Education and Training Centre, in partnership with Racing Victoria’s expert team. This includes:

• Jockey coaches & mentors

• Chief Medical Officer

• Sports Psychologist

• Nutritionist

• Physiotherapist

• Strength & Conditioning Coach

This collaborative, holistic approach ensures every apprentice receives world-class training and support—both on and off the track.

Established: 2015

Racing Victoria’s Participant Wellbeing Manager plays a key role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Victorian thoroughbred racing participants, including trainers, stablehands, and their families.

Originally launched as the Trainer Wellbeing Liaison Officer, the role evolved in 2018 and is led by a registered General Psychologist.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver wellbeing programs for Trainers, Stablehands, and their families

• Raise awareness of available wellbeing services

• Analyse trends to tailor support initiatives

• Run educational sessions at training centres across Victoria

• Organise annual health and wellbeing events

• Provide first-level advice and referrals for issues including:

  • Mental health and workplace wellbeing

  • Financial and business guidance

  • Conflict resolution and critical incident support

• Manage and promote Stableline, the industry’s dedicated support service

The Participant Wellbeing Manager is a trusted, first point of contact for those needing support across a wide range of personal and professional wellbeing matters.

Launched: 2018

Stableline is Racing Victoria’s free, independent, and confidential 24/7 support service for all licensed and registered participants of the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry and their immediate families.

Delivered by Acacia, Stableline provides access to qualified professionals offering support for a range of health and wellbeing concerns.

Key Features:

• Available 24/7, 365 days a year

• Free and confidential counselling and support

• Open to all racing participants and their families

• Covers mental health, personal challenges, work stress, and more

Whether you need someone to talk to or help finding the right support, Stableline is here for you—anytime, anywhere.

Commenced: 2018

Racing Victoria delivers ongoing education and training programs for employees to promote respectful, inclusive, and safe workplaces.

Core Training Areas:

• Respectful behaviour in the workplace

• Diversity and inclusion

• Unconscious bias and its impact on decision-making

The cornerstone of this initiative is the Respect@Work workshop, a mandatory program for all new employees. It explores unconscious bias, inappropriate workplace behaviours, and the key features of an inclusive culture.

These programs are part of RV’s commitment to maintaining a positive, respectful, and high-performing work environment.

Effective: 2018

All Victorian Trainers wishing to employ an Apprentice Jockey must be accredited by Racing Victoria.

To apply, Trainers must complete the Apprentice Jockey Trainer Employment Accreditation Application and meet key criteria assessed by the Racing Victoria Licensing Panel, including:

Accreditation Requirements:

• Hold a current Trainer’s Licence with at least 1 year of experience

• Comply with Trainer Licensing Policy and general licensing standards

• Hold a valid Working with Children Check

• Pass a probity check

• Demonstrate commitment to staff training and development

• Adhere to employment awards, conditions, and OHS practices

Accredited Trainers are reviewed every three years and may face ad hoc reviews.

Accreditation may be suspended or revoked if requirements are not met.

All applicants must also comply with Racing Victoria’s Suitability Policy.

Commenced: 2019

Racing Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian Government, launched Respectful Workplaces Training to support a safer, more inclusive racing and breeding industry.

This free, face-to-face workshop series was delivered at 20 metropolitan and regional tracks across Victoria and focused on:

• Preventing bullying, harassment, and antisocial behaviour

• Promoting respectful and assertive communication

• Understanding anti-bullying policies, OHS, and employment rights

Open to all racing and breeding participants, the training aimed to empower individuals to contribute to positive, respectful workplaces across the industry.

Established: 2019

Racing Victoria’s Participant Protection Manager plays a critical role in safeguarding the welfare of participants across the Victorian racing industry.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement participant protection policies, procedures, and education programs

• Serve as the primary contact for participant protection concerns

• Conduct interviews with victims, witnesses, and respondents using qualified investigative techniques

• Collaborate with the Integrity Services team during investigations

• Work closely with the Participant Wellbeing Manager to support victims and ensure appropriate outcomes

• Liaise with external stakeholders to maintain high protection standards across the industry

The Participant Protection Manager ensures Racing Victoria maintains a safe, respectful, and accountable environment for all participants.

Established: 2019

Racing Victoria’s Licence and Registration Suitability Policy outlines the criteria used to assess an individual’s eligibility to be licensed or registered within the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry.

Key Suitability Criteria:

• Criminal history (including convictions or proceedings in Australia or overseas)

• Current legal status (e.g. on parole, bail, or under a Community Corrections Order)

• Adverse findings or settlements in civil proceedings relevant to integrity or conduct

• Regulatory compliance record with Racing Victoria, other racing jurisdictions, or other sports

• History of dismissal or suspension from employment due to drug, alcohol, or behavioural misconduct

• Any lifestyle or social factors that may affect the welfare of horses or safety and integrity of the sport

• Compliance with Racing Victoria’s Social Media Policy

This policy ensures only those who uphold the highest standards of conduct, integrity, and safety are granted the privilege to participate in Victorian racing.

Created: 2019

Racing Victoria’s Speak Up Policy empowers all racing participants to safely and confidentially report serious misconduct. It forms part of the broader Speak Up Program, alongside the Participant Protection Policy.

What Can Be Reported?

The policy covers serious issues, including:

• Safeguarding concerns (e.g. abuse or sexual misconduct)

• Breaches of the Rules of Racing or Betting Policy

• Corruption or illegal conduct

How to Make a Disclosure:

Participants can report concerns through the following channels:

• Racing Victoria Integrity Services Department

• Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner

• Racing Integrity Hotline, operated by STOPline (on behalf of ORIC)

The policy outlines how disclosures are managed and ensures all reports are handled fairly, confidentially, and with integrity.

Created: 2019

Racing Victoria’s Participant Protection Policy applies to all employees, officials, service providers, and participants in the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry, including racehorse owners, trainers, stable staff, riders, and club employees.

Policy Objectives:

• Prevent harm to participants within the industry

• Promote the highest safeguarding standards

• Outline Racing Victoria’s commitment and expectations for a safe environment

• Ensure clarity on appropriate behaviour within professional and employment contexts

• Take appropriate action against those who harm or pose a risk to participants

• Foster a safe, inclusive environment prioritising participants’ mental and physical wellbeing

This policy aims to safeguard all individuals within the industry and create a respectful and secure racing environment.

Created: 2020

Racing Victoria’s Safeguarding Young Persons Policy aims to protect individuals under the age of 18 within the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry. This policy ensures young participants' safety, sets clear standards of care, and supports adults in providing a safe environment.

Key Principles:

• Adherence to professional boundaries, including limiting contact and ensuring easy access to family

• Positive guidance: Fair, respectful, and appropriate strategies for young persons

• Limited electronic and social media contact, including parental involvement in communications

• Caution with photographs and videos of young persons

• Physical contact only when necessary, e.g. assisting with riding

• Overnight stays: Require written consent from parents/guardians and an appropriate chaperone

• Changing room and jockey room protocols

• Inclusive of young persons transitioning

• Zero tolerance for alcohol or drugs

• Transportation requirements: Written parental consent required for transporting young persons

Reporting Obligations:

• All participants must report concerns to Child Protection Emergency Services or Victoria Police if they believe a young person is at risk.

• Failure to disclose knowledge of sexual offences involving minors is an offence under Victorian law.

This policy is part of Racing Victoria’s commitment to ensuring a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all young participants.

Created: 2021

Racing Victoria’s Whistleblower Policy is designed to encourage and protect individuals who report misconduct or breaches of the law, consistent with the Corporations Act.

Matters Eligible for Disclosure:

• Discrimination, vilification, sexual harassment, harassment, and victimisation

• Fraud, corruption, or any form of wrongdoing within the industry

Key Features:

• Confidentiality: Protecting the identity of the whistleblower, unless necessary for the investigation

• Protection from retaliation: Ensuring the discloser faces no adverse actions as a result of their disclosure

• Thorough investigation: Responding impartially and thoroughly to the disclosed concerns

• Support: Access to Racing Victoria’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free, confidential support and counselling

• Ongoing updates: Keeping the whistleblower informed of the investigation process

The policy provides a clear procedure for making disclosures, ensuring confidentiality and appropriate action when wrongdoing is found.

Created: 2022

Racing Victoria’s Social Media Policy applies to all participants in the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry, including racing participants, sponsors, media, wagering operators, industry clubs, and staff.

Key Principles:

• Participants must avoid publishing content that is obscene, defamatory, threatening, discriminatory, or abusive

• Prohibited conduct includes threatening, disparaging, or vilifying others, as well as engaging in workplace harassment or sexual harassment

• Licensed and registered participants are bound by the Rules of Racing to maintain respectful conduct online

Reporting Breaches:

• Breaches of the policy can be reported via the Participant Protection Manager (PPM), through mobile, email, or the Safeguarding Concern form on Racing Victoria’s website.

• Violations may result in charges and penalties imposed by stewards, with cases potentially referred to the Victorian Racing Tribunal.

This policy ensures responsible and respectful use of social media across the industry.

Available: 2022

The Workplace Safety & Behaviours Module is mandatory for all Racing Victoria employees and licensed or registered participants. This online module covers key topics related to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace.

Key Topics:

• Good and bad behaviour

• Responsibilities of supervisors and employers

• Bulling and bad behaviour

• Sexual harassment

• Mental wellbeing

The module includes real workplace scenarios to help participants understand their responsibilities and how to handle challenges or issues. Completion of this module is required for registration or licensing in Victoria.

Commenced: 2024

Racing Victoria offers Standard Mental Health First Aid training to licensed and registered participants in the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry aged 18 and over.

Course Purpose:

This nationally recognised course equips participants with the skills to:

• Recognise the signs of mental health challenges in adults

• Provide initial support and guidance to those in need

• Respond to common mental health crises

• Help build a safer, more supportive racing community by creating a pool of trained individuals who can identify and triage issues early

Early intervention can make a real difference —for individuals, teams, and the wider industry.

Commenced: 2024

Racing Victoria, in partnership with iHR Australia, launched the Leaders Racing for Respectful Workplaces workshop to help build positive, inclusive workplace cultures across the industry.

About the Workshop:

This experiential learning program is designed to educate leaders on their responsibilities in fostering respectful, safe, and inclusive environments within their stables.

Who It’s For:

• Licensed Trainers

• Assistant Trainers

• Forepersons

The training supports leaders in setting clear behavioural standards and promoting a culture of professionalism and respect across the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry.

Implemented: 2024

Racing Victoria is proud to be a Child Safe Organisation, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all children and young people we engage with across the industry.

Our Child Safe Framework Includes:

• A Child Safe Code of Conduct

• A formal Board Commitment to child safety

• A Working With Children Check Policy for all relevant employees

This is a core part of RV’s social responsibility, ensuring that children and young people are protected, heard, and supported in every interaction within the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry.