Participants are advised that under the Victorian Government’s Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions, a worker permit must be carried at all times while travelling in metropolitan Melbourne (including Melton and Cranbourne).

From September 26, harness racing meetings will be open to all horses and participants from all areas of Victoria except Mildura, which will remain in a regionalised structure until October 2.

To obtain a worker permit click here.  Steps to complete the permit are outlined in the table below.

If you are travelling within Stage 4 areas, you should expect to be pulled over and asked to produce your permit.

Each participant must arrange to complete or obtain this document relative to their own circumstances.

Instructions for completion of permit:

Step 1
Your employer must complete the Permitted Worker Permit form. Note that the definition of “employer” is the entity to which you are directly employed. See examples below. 
 
If in relation to Harness Racing work you:
  1. Are self-employed or employ yourself through a corporate structure.  You will need to complete the document as both the employer and the employee.
For example: if you run your own business training and racing horses.
If you are a sole trader who is not registered for GST and subsequently do not have an ABN in the response box write: Not registered for GST.
  1. Employ others.  You must complete the form for each employee.  You must sign it and complete the relevant contact details.  You must also ensure that your employee signs it.
       For example: if you are a trainer who employs a stable hand.
  1. Work for someone else.  Your employer is responsible for completing the form for you.  Check that they have completed the contact details and ensure that you sign it.
      For example: if you are a stable hand that works for a trainer.
Step 2
Ensure that both you as the employee and your employer has signed the Permitted Worker Permit Form.  Where you are both the employee and employer due to you being a sole trader, or company, you must sign as both employee and employer.
Note that the form has dates and may need to be updated as your daily travel requirements change. It is your obligation to ensure that if the travel that you require is different to that on the form, that you are updating and seeking approval from your employer.
Step 3
Employees must carry the worker permit and should carry photo identification when travelling to and from the workplace. A worker permit can be shown electronically to authorities such as a photo, or scanned copy, on a mobile device.
Ensure that you carry with you at all times when travelling for work purposes:
  • An up to date Permitted Worker Permit Form.
  • Your HRV registration card.
  • Photo identification.
  • A copy of the form guide to verify your engagement.

 

It is the legal obligation of each participant to ensure that they are in full compliance with the Government direction and that they carry the worker permit at all times when travelling for harness racing work. 

It is the responsibility of participants and their employers to ensure that the details of the worker permit, especially rostered working hours, are updated regularly. 

Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements.

There will also be on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 (for individuals) and up to $9,913 (for businesses) for anyone who breaches the scheme requirements. This includes employers and employees who do not carry their worker permit when travelling to and from work.

For further COVID-19 information visit HRV’s COVID-19 information page at thetrots.com.au