Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) is committed to fostering a professional, respectful, and inclusive harness racing environment for all participants. As part of this ongoing commitment, HRV is introducing new mandatory education requirements for the upcoming licence renewal period.

New Mandatory Child Safety Course

This year, all licence applications will be required to complete a newly developed Child Safety Course prior to the approval of their licence renewal or new licence application.

The course has been specifically designed for the harness racing industry to strengthen understanding of child safety and wellbeing. It aims to build industry-wide knowledge and promote behaviours that support the physical and emotional safety of children and young people in harness racing. Whether you’re a stablehand, trainer, or driver, each of us plays a critical role in ensuring that harness racing is a welcoming and safe environment for all.

By completing this course, participants will:

  • Understand their responsibilities under child safety legislation and HRV’s Child Safety Policy;
  • Be equipped to identify and appropriately respond to concerns or risks; and
  • Contribute to building a culture that supports our next generation of participants to thrive.

Updated Expected Behaviours Course

In addition to the new Child Safety Course, HRV has also revised its Expected Behaviours Course, which has been updated to reflect contemporary standards and reinforce the values and behaviours we expect across the industry.

Completion of this course is also mandatory for all licence categories and is a condition of licence renewal. This includes all trainers, drivers, and stablehands.

The revised content places emphasis on:

  • Respectful conduct both on and off the track;
  • The importance of inclusive and equitable behaviour;
  • Understanding the consequences of misconduct; and
  • Reinforcing industry expectations under the Australian Harness Racing Rules and HRV policies.

Accessing the Courses

Both courses are available now via HRV’s Safetrac online learning portal and must be completed before a licence will be granted for the upcoming season.

To access the courses, visit: https://clients.safetrac.com/hrv

Participants are encouraged to complete the courses as early as possible to avoid delays in licence processing.

If you experience any technical issues or require support in completing the modules, please do not hesitate to contact the HRV Licensing team via:

Strengthening Our Industry Together

Harness racing in Victoria has a proud and passionate community. As the industry evolves, so too must our commitment to integrity, safety, and respect. Initiatives such as these are an important part of strengthening our culture, protecting the wellbeing of all participants, and ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of our sport.

We thank all participants for their support and commitment to these important initiatives. Your cooperation is essential in helping HRV uphold the highest standards across our industry.