Date Issued 18 April 2019 (revised 13 March 2024)
1. PURPOSE
Racing Victoria (RV) releases a large amount of information online, via print publishing, as well as person-to-person service. These Freedom of Information Statements demonstrate how RV is making information readily available to the public.
The statements listed below outline the functions of RV and provide a non- exhaustive list of the types of information and documents we hold in relation to our functions and a structured means to easily access information about key services, functions and reports.
If you cannot find the information you are searching for after reviewing these statements and conducting a search of our website at www.racingvictoria.com.au please contact our Customer First team at: information@racingvictoria.net.au or 1300 139 401. In some instances, we may be able to provide you with the information you are seeking without requiring you to make a formal request for access.
2. ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONS
Under section 3 of the Racing Act 1958 (Vic) (Racing Act), RV is the appointed controlling body for thoroughbred horse racing in the State of Victoria. RV is registered as a company limited by guarantee and is certified by the Minister under section 3A of the Racing Act.
The functions of RV are set out in its Constitution and under the Racing Act, this includes the enforcement of the Rules of Racing on certain persons under section 5F.
RV’s objectives are to develop, encourage, promote and manage the conduct of thoroughbred racing by encouraging broad participation and sustainably growing the industry’s economic and social value.
The following pages provide information about RV’s functions and powers, as well as its members, company structure and Constitution.
3. CATEGORY OF DOCUMENTS
3.1. Document Types
The types of documents that RV holds include:
- policies, procedures, rules;
- emails;
- reports;
- meeting minutes and records;
- financial records;
- registers, applications and forms; and
- audio-visual material.
3.2. Document Categories
The categories of documents held by RV include:
- Racing Operations;
- Stewards;
- Licensing and Registration;
- Equine Welfare;
- Veterinary Services;
- Wagering;
- Finance;
- People and Culture;
- Legal, Risk & Compliance;
- Media and Communications; and
- Marketing.
4. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ARRANGEMENTS
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) (FOI Act), members of the public have a right to access certain documents held by RV.
Before you make a request we encourage you to check if the information or document you are seeking is already publicly available, such as in our publications set out in section 5 or via www.racing.com (for example, if you are seeking race dates, race results, horse form, Stewards reports etc.).
4.1. Access outside of Freedom of Information
If you cannot find the information or document you are seeking on a publicly available resource (for example our website or racing.com), we encourage you to contact us and ask if the information or document you are seeking is available or can be provided to you.
In certain circumstances we may be able to provide you with the information you are seeking without requiring you to make a formal request for access, such as, where the information relates to only your personal affairs information (or where you exclude other individuals personal information). For example, where you are seeking a copy of your licence/registration application.
4.2. Making a request for access
A freedom of information request must be made in writing to the agency that holds the documents being requested and clearly describe the information or document you are seeking access to. If we cannot clearly identify the information or documents you are requesting, we will contact you to clarify your request.
Requests must be accompanied by the prescribed application fee (currently $31.80), unless you can provide evidence that payment of the fee would cause hardship (i.e a copy of your current low income concession card issued by Centrelink).
RV is also entitled to charge prescribed fees associated with searching for and providing access to the documents. If the estimated charges exceed $50.00, we will ask you if you want to continue with the request and ask you to pay a deposit. A summary of charges is as follows:
- search time - $23.85 per hour or part of an hour;
- photocopying - $0.20 per A4 black and white page; and
- supervision time if you inspect the document - $23.85 per hour or part of an hour.
In your application, you are required to be as specific as possible to enable a search to be conducted. Please ensure you have stated the type of documents you are seeking (such as ‘application’, ‘report’ or ‘letters’) and avoid vague phrases like ‘all documents’, ‘any information’ and ‘any records’.
You may submit your application the following ways:
4.2.1. Email
RV prefers to receive freedom of information requests via email. Accordingly, please send your request to: foi@racingvictoria.net.au
4.2.2. By Post
If you are unable to send your request via email, please address and send your request to:
Racing Victoria Freedom of Information Officer
Racing Victoria
400 Epsom Road
Flemington VIC 3031
Further information on making an FOI request is available on the website of the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC): https://ovic.vic.gov.au/freedom-of- information/for-the-public/making-an-access-request/
4.3. What happens to your request?
Once RV has received your freedom of information request and application fee (or fee waiver), a decision will be made and communicated to you in writing no later than 30 days after receiving your request, except in circumstances where the FOI Act permits an extension of time.
If the information contained in the document(s) you are seeking fall within certain exemptions, RV is required under the FOI Act to consult and seek the views of third parties. RV is not required to consult where it is not practicable, would cause distress, is likely to endanger the life or physical safety of a person or is otherwise unreasonable in the circumstances. Where RV is required to consult, it may extend the time for processing your request by up to 15 days.
4.4. Reviews and Complaints
If you disagree with our decision, you may apply for review by OVIC.
You must apply in writing within 28 days after you receive your decision letter, identifying the agency concerned and the decision to be reviewed. You should also provide an explanation of why you disagree with the decision.
More information on the review and complaints process is available on OVIC’s website:
https://ovic.vic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/apply-for-a-review/
https://ovic.vic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/make-a-complaint/
5. PUBLICATIONS
RV produces a range of publications, many of which can be accessed on the RV website – for example, guidelines, rules, application forms, Stewards’ reports and policies.
A range of reports including RV’s Annual and Financial Year reports are published here: https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/about-us/annual-reports
RV publishes a directory of licensed trainers, jockeys, apprentice jockeys, farriers and approved rider agents and racing managers here: https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/the-sport/directory
The Victorian Racing Tribunal which is responsible for hearing and determining appeals, serious offence charges or matters referred to it by all three Victorian racing codes or their Stewards (including Racing Victoria) publish the decisions and reasons for matters here:
If you require assistance to find a publication please contact our Customer First team at: information@racingvictoria.net.au or 1300 139 401.
6. RULES, POLICIES & PROCEDURES
RV has a range of policies and procedures that govern our daily operations as well as our key functions, these include:
7. REPORT LITERATURE
RV publishes an Annual and Financial Year Report. Copies of these reports are available here: https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/about-us/annual-reports
RV regularly publishes industry news on its website https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/news and publishes a monthly industry magazine for industry participants ‘Inside Racing’.
Other industry reports published are:
- 2017 Spring Racing Carnival Economic Impact Study
- Size and Scope of the Victorian Racing Industry – September 2018
Both reports are published here: https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/about- us/annual-reports