Functions & powers

We work with the control body Racing Queensland and the racing industry to promote high standards of integrity and animal welfare. Our functions include:

• administering the licensing of animals and industry participants;
• managing the integrity of race meetings through stewarding activities;
• managing the testing of animals and industry participants for the use of banned substances;
• safeguarding the welfare of animals involved in racing;
• investigating compliance with the Racing Integrity Act 2016, the Racing Act 2002 and other relevant laws;
• collaborating with other agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting animal welfare offences;
• reviewing and assessing the practices of participants and clubs in the racing industry;
• conducting audits and investigations of racing control bodies;
• assessing proposed future control bodies for any new codes of racing;
• and promoting compliance and integrity through the provision of information and education.

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner ensures the administration and operation of the Commission in the performance of its functions and manages staff in line with the requirements of the Racing Integrity Act 2016 and the Public Service Act 2008.

The Commissioner can request that a person attend and provide answers to questions relevant to an audit or investigation. The Commissioner can also request a person to provide information, documents or a thing.

The Standard clarifies the powers and functions under the Rules of Racing in accordance with the provisions of the Racing Act 2002 and Racing Integrity Act 2016.

Authorised Officer roles have been created under the Racing Integrity Act 2016 and some existing steward positions have assumed these duties. Authorised Officers have powers to investigate cases of animal cruelty and to respond to breaches of the Racing Integrity Act 2016 and the Racing Act 2002. Authorised Officers have investigative powers similar to those given to RSPCA inspectors.

Authorised Officers have the power to enter property, seize animals and evidence of animal cruelty offences, issue animal welfare directions and notes and initiate prosecutions.

Stewards are appointed by the Commissioner to enforce the Rules of racing. They oversee the integrity of racing activities across the three codes and are empowered to penalise any person committing a breach of the Rules. 

The QRIC introduced the use of Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) for its Integrity Regulation Unit (IRU) in July 2017.

Integrity officers use BWCs in the course of their duties including the collection of evidence by electronically recording events as they occur.

This includes the inspection of racing stables and kennels and the investigation of a range of issues at race tracks around the state.

The wearable camera system incorporates audio and video recording which ensures the integrity of the evidence that is collected.

All recordings remain the property of the Commission and must be uploaded to the digital evidence management system at the completion of each officer’s shift.

The information collected is used in a variety of ways including to assist IRU investigations and provide an accurate record of fieldwork inspections.

Uploading data is automated through camera docking stations (Evidence Transfer Managers) installed at the QRIC’s Albion headquarters.

The cameras will eventually be rolled out to regions and be available to all of the QRIC’s Authorised Officers.

All devices are used according the Commission’s Standard Operating Procedure.

For more information about how BWC’s are used see the Body Worn Cameras Q&As.