Greyhound racing

Introduction

The greyhound racing industry in the Northern Territory (NT) is regulated by Licensing NT, on behalf of the NT Racing Commission.

They follow the Greyhound Racing Rules 1981 and the Greyhounds Australasia's racing rules, to:

  • control, supervise and regulate greyhound racing
  • develop policies and standards to protect:
    • animal welfare
    • the integrity of greyhound racing.

Find out how to register as a greyhound owner, trainer or attendant.

You can also read more about greyhound animal welfare, greyhound racing heat policy, fees and other applications.


Apply for greyhound owner registration

You must be registered to own or train greyhounds for racing in the Northern Territory (NT).

If you want to own a greyhound, you can do this individually or as a syndicate.

You're not required to have any formal training as a greyhound owner. But, you must be familiar with the following:

A greyhound owner registration is valid for up to 2 years with an expiry date of 28 February.

To hold a registration, you may be subject to a fit and proper test. For more information, read the fit and proper test policy.

Fit and proper test policy PDF (831.6 KB)
Fit and proper test policy DOCX (627.0 KB)

Greyhound owner responsibilities

As a greyhound owner, you must:

  • abide by the directions of greyhound club officials and stewards at race meetings
  • correctly handle greyhounds in public areas
  • ensure anyone training or handling your greyhounds is registered as an owner, trainer or attendant.
  • inform authorities of the names of greyhounds housed in and removed from your kennels.
  • Before you apply

    When you apply, you must provide the following information:

    • greyhound names, kennel address and trainer name
    • names of people with an interest in your greyhounds
    • previous racing disqualifications or other disciplinary actions
    • previous fines or criminal history.

    If the greyhound lives at your property, you must open your kennels for inspection.

    How to apply

    You can apply to own a greyhound as:

    • an individual owner
    • a syndicate - 2 or more members.

    To apply, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the relevant application:

    Step 2. Check the application fee.

    Step 3. Submit your application and pay the fee at a Territory Business Centre.

    Renew an owner licence

    To renew your licence, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the relevant application:

    Step 2. Check the renewal fee.

    Step 3. Submit your application and pay the fee at a Territory Business Centre.

    Owner registration outside the NT

    Your NT greyhound owner licence may be recognised in other Australian states and territories.

    If you have an interstate licence, contact Licensing NT to find out it if your licence is recognised in the NT.


    Apply for or renew greyhound trainer registration

    You must be registered to train greyhounds and charge a fee for your service in the Northern Territory (NT).

    If you're a registered greyhound owner who also trains greyhounds, you must register as a greyhound owner and a trainer.

    A greyhound trainer registration is valid for up to 2 years with an expiry date of 28 February.

    To hold a registration, you may be subject to a fit and proper test. For more information, read the fit and proper test policy.

    Fit and proper test policy PDF (831.6 KB)
    Fit and proper test policy DOCX (627.0 KB)

    Greyhound trainer rules

    As a trainer, you must:

    • abide by the directions of greyhound club officials and stewards at race meetings
    • correctly handle greyhounds in public areas
    • ensure people assisting in greyhound training or handling is registered as an owner, trainer or attendant
    • inform authorities of the names of greyhounds housed in and removed from your kennels.

    Before you apply

    When you apply, you must provide previous:

    • racing disqualifications or other disciplinary actions
    • fines or criminal history.

    You must also open your kennels to be inspected.

    Written test

    If you're upgrading your licence from a greyhound owner/trainer to a public trainer, you must also sit and pass a written test before you submit your application.

    The test is an open book test which is usually done at home.

    To arrange to sit the test, contact the Chief Steward at Licensing NT.

    How to apply

    To apply, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the registration of a greyhound trainer application.

    Registration of a greyhound trainer application PDF (161.9 KB)
    Registration of a greyhound trainer application DOCX (174.0 KB)

    Step 2. Pass the written test (if applicable).

    Step 3. Meet any other requirements set by stewards.

    Step 4. Check the fee.

    Step 5. Submit your application and pay the fee at your local Territory Business Centre.

    Renew a trainer licence

    To renew your trainer licence, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the renewal of registration of a greyhound trainer application.

    Renewal of registration of a greyhound trainer application PDF (156.2 KB)
    Renewal of registration of a greyhound trainer application DOCX (175.5 KB)

    Step 2. Check the fee.

    Step 3. Submit your application and pay the fee at a Territory Business Centre.

    Trainer registration outside the NT

    Your NT greyhound trainer licence may be recognised in other Australian states and territories.

    If you have an interstate licence, contact Licensing NT to find out it's recognised in the NT.


    Apply for or renew greyhound attendant registration

    You must be registered to handle greyhounds during race meetings at greyhound tracks in the Northern Territory (NT).

    You're not required to have any formal training to become a greyhound attendant. But, you must demonstrate knowledge the following handling procedures:

    • kennel greyhounds at race meetings or trials
    • parade greyhounds to starting boxes
    • place greyhounds in starting boxes
    • catch greyhounds at the end of a race.

    A greyhound attendant registration is valid for 2 years with an expiry date of 28 February.

    To hold a registration, you may be subject to a fit and proper test. For more information, read the fit and proper test policy.

    Fit and proper test policy PDF (831.6 KB)
    Fit and proper test policy DOCX (627.0 KB)

    Attendant age restrictions

    You must be at least:

    • 16 years to handle dogs not owned by a parent or legal guardian
    • 14 years of age to handle dogs owned by a parent or legal guardian.

    Before you apply

    When you apply, you must provide previous:

    • racing disqualifications or other disciplinary actions
    • fines or criminal history.

    You must also be able to demonstrate your ability to handle a greyhound.

    How to apply

    To apply, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the registration of a greyhound attendant application.

    Registration of a greyhound attendant application PDF (156.3 KB)
    Registration of a greyhound attendant application DOCX (174.5 KB)

    Step 2. Check the fee.

    Step 3. Submit your application and pay the fee at a Territory Business Centre.

    Renew an attendant licence

    To renew your licence, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the renewal of registration of a greyhound attendant application.

    Renewal of registration of a greyhound attendant application PDF (159.0 KB)
    Renewal of registration of a greyhound attendant application DOCX (176.3 KB)

    Step 2. Check the fee.

    Step 3. Submit your application and pay the fee at a Territory Business Centre.

    Attendant registration outside the NT

    Your NT greyhound attendant licence may be recognised in other Australian states and territories.

    If you have an interstate licence, contact Licensing NT to find out it if your licence is recognised in the NT.


    Greyhound animal welfare

    The greyhound racing industry, its promoters and regulators are responsible for the welfare of greyhound racing dogs.

    If you're a greyhound owner, you must take responsibility for your greyhound's welfare and make sure trainers and others follow welfare rules.

    Greyhounds have the same rights as other animals, including:

    • access to food and water
    • safe and secure accommodation and living conditions
    • prevention and treatment of disease or injury
    • control of parasites
    • freedom from fear and distress.

    How to meet your requirements

    To help you meet welfare requirements, the Northern Territory Racing Commission (NTRC) has created a policy for the welfare of racing greyhounds.

    The policy is for new and current greyhound owners, trainers and other people responsible for greyhounds.

    It sets guidelines on topics like ownership, housing, training, breeding and retirement.

    This policy also:

    • specifies minimum requirements for housing, physical and behavioural needs, including those used for:
      • breeding and rearing
      • boarding and training
    • helps appointed officials assess each individual and property where greyhounds are kept
    • ensures industry participants show their duty of care for greyhounds.

    To find out more, read the greyhound racing welfare policy PDF (429.3 KB).


    Greyhound racing heat policy

    Greyhound race meetings in the Northern Territory (NT) are cancelled in extreme weather conditions.

    Licensing NT will announce any cancellation or reprogramming at scratching time. Radio TAB will also be advised of any alterations.

    Maximum allowed temperatures

    Day and twilight meetings will be cancelled if the estimated daily maximum is over:

    • 35 degrees Celsius, unless a vet is in attendance
    • 40 degrees Celsius.

    Racing stewards and a vet can determine if a night meeting should be cancelled.

    Protecting animals

    All of the following measures must apply to meetings that proceed in extreme weather conditions:

    • kennels to be opened later
    • greyhounds to spend minimum time outside
    • parade greyhounds directly to starting boxes
    • greyhounds to remain in kennel house for at least 30 minutes after their event
    • adequate drinking facilities, including ice water for greyhounds.

    Other applications in greyhound racing

    You can find the following applications on this page:

    Authority for mating and to register services or litters

    To authorise another person to take temporary care of a greyhound for mating purposes, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the authority for mating and to register services or litters form.

    Authority for mating and to register services or litters form PDF (154.1 KB)
    Authority for mating and to register services or litters form DOCX (173.7 KB)

    Step 2. Submit your form at a Territory Business Centre.

    Change kennels

    If your greyhounds change kennels, you must inform Licensing NT. To do this, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the change of kennels application.

    Change of kennels application PDF (155.7 KB)
    Change of kennels application DOCX (174.7 KB)

    Step 2. Submit your application at a Territory Business Centre.

    Remove a syndicate member

    If a syndicate member ends their membership with your greyhound, you must:

    • remove them as a syndicate member
    • no longer share or participate in greyhound ownership for that syndicate.

    To remove them as a syndicate member, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the deletion of a greyhound syndicate member form.

    Deletion of a greyhound syndicate member form PDF (152.2 KB)
    Deletion of a greyhound syndicate member form DOCX (174.6 KB)

    Step 2. Submit your form at a Territory Business Centre.

    Race nomination forms

    Before a race meeting, you must nominate each racing greyhound.

    To nominate, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the:

    Step 2. Submit your form to Licensing NT.

    Register a greyhound as a stud sire

    A stud sire is a registered male greyhound used for breeding.

    To register a stud sire, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Meet Greyhounds Australasia requirements. To read more, go to the Greyhounds Australasia website.

    Step 2. Fill in the register a greyhound as a stud sire application.

    Register a greyhound as a stud sire application PDF (159.1 KB)
    Register a greyhound as a stud sire application DOCX (173.9 KB)

    Step 3. Submit your application at a Territory Business Centre.

    Whelping notice

    You must notify Licensing NT when your greyhounds give birth, even if no puppies survive.

    To notify, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the whelping notice application.

    Whelping notice application PDF (153.2 KB)
    Whelping notice application  DOCX (172.3 KB)

    Step 2. Submit your application at a Territory Business Centre.

    Register a greyhound litter

    If you have a greyhound litter, you must:

    • register a greyhound litter within 3 months of whelping date
    • provide details of each puppy's markings when they are 2 months old.

    If you register a greyhound puppy for racing purposes later, your identification number on this application must match the one on that application.

    To register a litter, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the registration of a greyhound litter application.

    Registration of a greyhound litter application PDF (237.4 KB)
    Registration of a greyhound litter application DOCX (247.2 KB)

    Step 2. Submit your application at a Territory Business Centre.

    Register a greyhound name

    To register a greyhound name, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the registration of a name of a greyhound application.

    Registration of a name of a greyhound application PDF (159.8 KB)
    Registration of a name of a greyhound application DOCX (173.3 KB)

    Step 2. Submit your application at a Territory Business Centre.

    Take a greyhound overseas

    If you want to take your greyhound overseas, you must:

    • meet Australian quarantine requirements
    • apply for a greyhound passport.

    To apply for a greyhound passport, go to the Greyhounds Australasia website.

    Transfer a greyhound

    To transfer a greyhound, you must follow the relevant process below.

    For breeders

    If you're a breeder and sell a greyhound puppy before it's named, you must follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in a breeder's authority form.

    Breeders authority form PDF (150.5 KB)
    Breeders authority form DOCX (173.5 KB)

    Step 2. Submit your form at a Territory Business Centre.

    For owners

    If you buy a greyhound puppy from a breeder and sell it before it's named, you must follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the relevant form:

    Step 2. Submit your form at a Territory Business Centre.


    Greyhound racing fees

    In the Northern Territory you must pay for greyhound racing relating to:

    • applications
    • renewals
    • registrations
    • transfers.

    You must pay these fees when you submit your forms at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

    All fees are exempt from GST.

    Attendant registration fees

    Item Fee
    Greyhound attendant application $10
    Greyhound attendant renewal $10

    Owner registration fees

    Item Fee
    Greyhound owner application - individual $20
    Greyhound owner renewal - individual $20
    Greyhound owner application - syndicate $20
    Greyhound owner renewal - syndicate $20

    Trainer registration fees

    Item Fee
    Greyhound trainer application $40
    Greyhound trainer renewal $40

    Other fees

    ​Description Fee payable​
    Delete a syndicate member ​No fee
    ​Transfer a named greyhound ​$5
    ​Transfer an unnamed greyhound ​No fee
    ​Register a litter ​$5
    ​Ear brand a greyhound ​$2