News and Industry / Frequently asked questions

GWIC inspections

Do inspectors wear body worn cameras?
Do inspectors advise participants when they are going to complete an inspection?
Can inspectors enter my home as part of an inspection?

Penalties

How do I pay a fine?
I can’t afford to pay my fine by the due date, can I go on a payment plan?
Can I appeal a penalty?

Is the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission a government agency?

How old do you have to be to become a registered participant?

Individuals aged 18+ can apply for any role within the industry if they meet the appropriate criteria.

Teenagers aged 16-17 can apply for an Associate Race Official registration.

Teenagers aged 14-17 can apply for an Associate Attendant registration.

Teenagers aged 12-13 can apply for a Junior Attendant permit.

How do I register?

To register please visit www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/participantforms and click on the registration type you wish to apply for.

Here you will find information about the registration including any requirements of that registration and fees. You can also download an application form or apply online.

What does the Commission do with my personal information?

The Commission will only use your personal information for the purposes for which it was collected (eg. Processing registration applications), or any directly related purpose. In the event that there is a serious and imminent threat to your health, or the health of another person, these will be exceptional circumstances in which the Commission may also use your personal information.

The Commission will need to disclose your personal information to other agencies from time to time. In order to process any application for registration, the Commission may be required to disclose your personal information to various agencies, including (but not limited to):

• law enforcement agencies, including (but not limited to) the NSW Police Force;
• animal welfare agencies, including (but not limited to) the RSPCA; and
• local councils.

The Commission’s privacy statement can be found at www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/about/privacy

Where can I find participant registration forms?

All participant registration forms are available at www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/participantforms

Please call 13 49 42 (13 GWIC) if you are unable to access the forms online.

How do I renew my registration/s?

You can renew your registration/s by visiting www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/renewals to renew online or call 13 49 42 (13 GWIC).

Registration renewals are due on the participant’s birthday each year.

My registration/s have expired, can I still renew them?

If your registration has already expired, the Commission will provide a 28-day grace period in which you can still renew your registration over the phone by calling 13 49 42.

If you registration has expired in the last 29 days – 3 months, you may choose to reinstate your registration so that you can complete your renewal. A reinstatement fee of $50 will apply in addition to the standard renewal fees. To reinstate your registration, please call our registration and Welfare team on 13 49 42.

If you registration has expired more than 3 months ago, you will not be able to renew or reinstate your registration. If you wish to become registered again, you will need to submit a new registration application. You can find information on how to apply for registration at https://www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/regulatory/registration

Participants will receive the following reminders before their registration is due for renewal:

• An email three months before registration expires
• A letter two months before registration expires
• An email one month before registration expires
• An SMS the month registration expires

Participants should ensure their contact details are up to date so they don’t miss any important notifications.

I don’t have access to a computer, how do I complete applications, renewals, and notifications?

If you don’t have access to a computer, please call 13 49 42 (13 GWIC) and the Commission’s Registration & Welfare Team can help you complete a number transactions over the phone. Alternatively, where a transaction cannot be completed over the phone, a member of our team can post you a paper form.

I have a criminal record, can I register as a participant?

The Commission is required to undertake a Fit and Proper Person Test on all registration applicants and part of this process is a Criminal History Check. A conviction will not necessarily result in an application being refused.  The Commission will consider the circumstances of the conviction, such as the nature of the offence and the applicant’s behaviour since the conviction was recorded.

For more information on the Fit and Proper Person Test visit:

https://www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/registration/registration/fit-and-proper-person-test

Greyhound applications and notifications

Where can I find greyhound application and notification forms?

All greyhound application and notification forms are available at www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/greyhoundforms

Please call 13 49 42 (13 GWIC) if you are unable to access the forms online.

How do I retire my greyhound?

The Commission’s Greyhound Rehoming Policy outlines the necessary steps you must take to retire your greyhound to yourself, to a person outside of the industry or to a rehoming agency.

To view the full policy please visit www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/rulesandpolicies

Can I euthanase a greyhound myself if it is injured or suffering?

Euthanasia of a greyhound may be performed by a person who is not a veterinarian only in an emergency where the euthanasia is:

• necessary to relieve the animal’s immediate suffering, and
• a veterinarian is unable to attend in a timely manner, or transporting the animal to a veterinarian would unreasonably prolong the animal’s suffering, and
• only after a veterinarian has been consulted.

Euthanasia performed in emergency must be performed using humane methods endorsed by a veterinarian. Following emergency euthanasia of a greyhound, the owner must submit a completed Emergency Euthanasia of Greyhound - Not by Vet Notification form to GWIC within 48 hours.

The Emergency Euthanasia of Greyhound - Not by Vet form is available at www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/endoflife

A vet has recommended that my greyhound be euthanased (or has already euthanased the greyhound). What do I need to do now?

You need to ensure that the vet who euthanases the greyhound completes a Euthanasia of a Greyhound - by a Vet Notification form, and then submit this form to GWIC within 48 hours.

The Euthanasia of a Greyhound - by a Vet Notification form is available at www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/endoflife

I have found my greyhound deceased in the kennel, yard etc.  What should I do?

Please complete the Greyhound Death Notification form and return it to GWIC within 48 hours.  Please remember to include information about the circumstances of the greyhound’s death on the form.

This form is available at www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/endoflife

Greyhound welfare and re-homing

How do I report a welfare or integrity concern?

If you have information regarding a welfare or integrity related issue within the NSW Greyhound Racing Industry, you can make a report using the following avenues:

• Online anonymously: Report a concern
• Email: emailus@gwic.nsw.gov.au
• Phone: 13 49 42
• Speaking in person with the Commission’s Stewards, Veterinarians or Inspectors
• Post: Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, PO Box 718, Bathurst NSW 2795
• In person: Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, Level 1, 230 Howick Street, Bathurst NSW 2795

I would like to adopt a greyhound, how do I do this?

Get in touch with a greyhound Rehoming Organisation such as Greyhounds As Pets.

Ask the previous owner to complete the ‘Getting to know your new greyhound’ template to help your newest family member settle in.

https://www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/891743/Getting-to-know-your-new-greyhound.pdf

I would like to keep my greyhound after it’s racing career, do I need to do anything?

Yes, if you would like to retire your greyhound and keep it as a pet you must complete a retirement notification and submit it to GWIC.

Retired greyhounds that remain with a registered participant, remain on the Commission’s Greyhound Register and are still subject

How to re-home my greyhound?

You can re-home your greyhound through Greyhounds As Pets (GAP), other rehoming/rescue organisations, or to an individual outside of the greyhound racing industry.

It is important that you follow the requirements of the Greyhound Rehoming Policy when rehoming your greyhound.

Once your greyhound has been rehomed, you will need to submit a retirement notification to GWIC. This includes if the greyhound is rehomed to GAP.

More information regarding greyhound rehoming is available at https://www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/registration/greyhound-applications-and-notifications/greyhound-retirement

What do I do if I can’t rehome my greyhound?

If you cannot rehome your greyhound the Commission recommends that you contact rehoming organisations to see if they can assist. Another option is to ask a family members, friends, or colleagues if they would like the greyhound as a pet.

Participants are no longer allowed to surrender retired greyhounds to a NSW or interstate facility that conducts animal research, animal plasma or blood collection. Greyhounds can only be rehomed to Council pounds with prior approval of the Commission.

The making of two genuine attempts to rehome and notifying GWIC of the intent to euthanise, is no longer permitted.

Euthanasia can only be considered where a greyhound is legally required, or permitted to be euthanased (see clause 9 of the Greyhound Rehoming Policy).

It is a greyhound owners’ responsibility to ensure their greyhound’s welfare throughout their life, whether that be before, during, or after their racing career.

I have rehomed my greyhound through a rehoming facility E.g. GAP, do I need to notify GWIC?

Yes, it is the responsibility of the greyhound owner to notify GWIC when they have rehomed their greyhound, even if a rehoming organisation was involved. Owners must submit a Retirement Notification within 14 days of rehoming.

Trial tracks

Do trial tracks need to be registered?

Yes, any premises where greyhounds not owned or leased by the proprietor are trialled must be registered with the Commission in accordance with the Trial Track Policy.

How do I register my trial track?

You will need to submit a trial track registration application form. In addition to this, applicants must:

• Be registered as a trial track proprietor
• Have adequate and current public liability insurance for the premises
• Have an agreement with a local veterinarian who is able to provide treatment to greyhounds that are injured at the premise. A veterinary services agreement template can be found here.
• Have the premises inspected by the Commission’s compliance team.

You can find the trial track registration application form and information regarding trial track registration requirements on our website at https://www.gwic.nsw.gov.au/regulatory/registration/trial-track-registration

GWIC inspections

Do inspectors wear body worn cameras?  

Commission inspectors do wear body worn cameras (BWC) at times.

BWC’s are not used during routine inspections unless an inspector is working without another staff member and has obtained the consent of the participant.

BWC’s may be deployed during targeted, intelligence led, positive swab and some follow up inspections.

BWC’s are a clearly visible, overt recording device used by Commission Inspectors to record any activity relating to their work as a Commission Inspector. The footage is locked and cannot be edited.

Commission Inspectors will always make you aware when or if they are switched on and recording, and participants may request a copy of the footage relating to them or their property.

Do inspectors advise participants when they are going to complete an inspection?

In conducting routine, new kennel, new licence and some follow up inspections, Commission Inspectors will contact the owner / occupier of kennels at least two days prior to the proposed kennel inspection to schedule a mutually convenient time and day to conduct the inspection.

Targeted inspections that form part of an investigation may occur without prior notification from the Commission.

Can inspectors enter my home as part of an inspection?

Inspectors have the power to enter and inspect kennels located on a property operated by a participant. However, they can only enter a residential home with the permission of the occupier or if a court, or other authorised person, has issued a search warrant authorising entry.

Penalties

How do I pay a fine?

Your fine will list options for payment. You can contact us on 13 49 42 to make a payment via credit card over the phone, or complete a bank transfer using the details on the fine paperwork, referencing your fine number.

I can’t afford to pay my fine by the due date, can I go on a payment plan?

If you cannot pay your fine by the due date, you should contact us to let us know. You can do this by calling us on 13 49 42. If you would like to enter into a payment plan you should outline, in writing, the reasons you require a payment plan and the amount you can afford to pay per fortnight. This request will be considered and if approved, you will be advised of the details in writing.

Can I appeal a penalty?

Yes. If you are do not agree with a penalty issued to you by the Commission, there are two avenues of appeal available. An Internal Review can be conducted by a one or more reviewers at the Commission who were not substantially involved in making the original decision or participants can appeal a decision through the Racing Appeals Tribunal, which is an independent body set up under the Racing Appeals Tribunal Act 1983.

For more information see the Appeals to the Racing Appeals Tribunal and Internal Review webpages.