All Harness Racing Victoria licences expire on 31 August each year.
2025/2026 Renewals
Licensees can renew only online through Harnessweb https://harnessweb.harness.org.au
HRV licenced Trainer and Driver participants receive $20 off the normal licence fee that renews their licence online before 1 September 2025.
HRV Compliance Courses
All licensees are required to complete the following online training courses for your Licence renewal to be activated this season:
• Equine Welfare Framework
• Expected Behaviours of Participants (Updated Course)
• Creating a Child-Safe Organisation (New course)
To complete all courses, click on the Safetrac Portal link:
https://clients.safetrac.com/hrv
If you have already completed Equine Welfare Framework within the past 12 months, thank you; this course is not required again at this time. However, the Expected Behaviours of Participants and Creating a Child-Safe Organisation courses must be completed by all licensees this season, regardless of prior training.
Your licence will not be activated until all required courses are completed.
Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a safe and compliant racing environment.
Reminder to Drivers
A Licence will not be granted unless an appropriately completed Medical Examination and Betting Declaration Form is submitted with the application. (Harnessweb now has the facility to upload your Medical Examination as you complete your Renewal, with also declaring your Betting Account activity online)
Please ensure that you allow sufficient time to obtain a medical appointment with your GP prior to the expiration of your current licence.
Betting Declaration Form and Medical Examination Forms can be downloaded by clicking here.
Please forward completed forms to info@hrv.org.au or PO Box 184 Moonee Ponds Vic 3039.
Please note: All applicants for any licence are subject to the Australian Harness Racing Rules and Harness Racing Victoria's Licensing Policy including Suitability Criteria. New and existing applicants must be familiar with the rules and policies.
Click here to view the Licensing Policy
Click here to view the Australian Harness Rules of Racing
If you require any assistance or have any queries in relation to the renewal or new application process, please contact Harness Racing Victoria on 03 8378 0200 or by email: info@hrv.org.au or refer to frequently asked questions below.
Frequently asked questions
1. How do I renew?
As Harness Racing Victoria moves online, the quickest and easiest way to renew your licence in online via Harnessweb.
2. I have previously held a licence with HRV, how do I reapply?
Applicants who have not been licensed for more than six (6) months must submit a current National Police Check with their application for licence. For each licence type there is additional documentation required which can be viewed below.
3. Where do I apply for a Police check?
Precise Background offer HRV participants a reduce cost police check by using the link below. For the reduced fee click on Get Started and ensure the PROMO code HRV is used to receive the reduced cost for the check: www.precisebackground.com/national-police-check-for-individuals.html Alternatively applicants can source their own police checks.
4. I am looking for a Trainer to work with or volunteer, are there any in my area?
A list of licence holders can be viewed here Trainers Directory - Harness Racing Victoria
5. I am having trouble logging into the Online Animal Welfare Training. Who can assist me?
If you require additional assistance to complete the training program, please contact the Harness Racing Training Centre Bendigo on (03) 5449 3590 or admin@hrtcbendigo.com.au
Becoming a stablehand
The holder of a Stablehand licence is licensed to perform stable duties under the supervision or instructions of a licensed trainer as follows:
• Carry out track work, assist with the training, management, care and control of horses, assist with the pre-race preparation and post- race procedures affecting a horse.
• Each licence type may require different documentation. Please view the licence application form and include all documentation to ensure your application is not delayed.
• All new applications or applicants who have not been licensed for more than six (6) months must submit a current National Police Check with their application for licence.
• All new applicants regardless of what level must provide a current Working with Children check.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a stablehand licence you must:
• Be at least 14 years of age
• Submit a completed application form
• Signed letter of reference from the licensed training you will be assisting
• Current National Police Check
• Certified copy of your driver’s licence or birth certificate
• Passport photograph
• Working with Children Check
Reinstating Previous Driver Licence
Any person wishing to reinstate their driver licence who has not driven consistently in recent seasons in TAB races, will be required to satisfactorily complete a number of trial drives as determined by the Stewards. Upon the completion of the drives the licence category reinstatement will be at the discretion of the Chairman of Stewards in consultation with the Senior Stewards.
A driver who has previously been licensed to drive in races but who has not been licensed for the below periods shall complete the specified number of satisfactory trials prior to driving in a race:
• Not licensed for 6 months: 5 satisfactory trials Not licensed for 12 months: 10 satisfactory trials
• Not licensed for greater than 2 years: 15 satisfactory trials
The above trial drives shall be completed at the following venues:
• Ballarat
• Bendigo
• Cranbourne
• Geelong
• Kilmore
• Mildura
• Maryborough
• Shepparton
• Tabcorp Park Melton
• Terang
• Swan Hill
Reinstating Previous Trainers Licence
A trainer who has been previously licensed but who has not been licensed as a trainer for a period of 6 months or more shall provide the following documents prior to being relicensed:
• Provide a minimum of two (2) credit references (Vet, Farrier, Feed Suppliers etc) stating that your accounts are paid promptly OR a credit report by contacting a credit reporting body. You can obtain a copy of your credit report free of charge from a CRB within ten (10) days of them receiving your request.
• Bank account statements in your name for the preceding three (3) month period (to the date your application is submitted to Harness Racing Victoria). Note - These bank account statements should also be submitted to your chosen Accountant/Bank Manager/Officer to form part of the Accountant Reference declaration accompanying the application form.
Training Partnerships
HRV may issue a licence for a person to train in partnership in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90A(2.8).
HRV further requires that all applicants seeking to be licensed as a training partnership meet the following criteria:
i. Each member of the training partnership must hold the same grade of trainerslicence. e.g. members hold a Grade B trainer or all members hold a Grade A trainer licence.
ii. To be granted a licence all members must meet the above criteria relative to the grade of trainer's licence sought.
iii. The grade of trainer's licence held by a person as a sole entity may be transferred to a training partnership.
iv. Each member of the training partnership must pay the applicable licensing fee.
For application form click here
Important Insurance Information
All licence holders have included in their licence fee, Personal Injury Insurance. It is very important all licence holders are aware of what is covered and it is strongly recommended that all drivers, trainers and stablehands investigate their personal insurance needs. It is important to consider the benefits of:
Click here for more information