The Government has introduced a bill that would criminalise match-fixing in Australian sport at the federal level.
If passed, athletes and other sports professionals could face up to ten years in prison for intentionally impacting the outcome of a sporting event.
It comes after a Government-commissioned review found the risk of organised crime infiltrating sport through match-fixing is growing in Australia.
Here's what you need to know.
Match-fixing
Match-fixing means manipulating the outcome, or part of the outcome, of a sporting event for personal gain.
It's already illegal in most of Australia at the state/territory level.
It can look like:
A player or team deliberately underperforming, or losing the match
An official favouring one side
Someone leaking inside information, like a secret injury or tactic, so others can bet on it
Fixing results for sporting reasons, like landing lower on the ladder to secure a better draft pick next season
Recent case
It's possible to bet on which players will receive yellow cards in Australia's professional soccer code, the A-League.
In December 2023, Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila paid teammates Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis $10,000 each to deliberately collect yellow cards as part of a betting scheme.
Football Australia banned Lewis and Baccus from all football activity for five years, reducible to four with community service.
Dávila was convicted for match-fixing and fined $11,000 in February 2026.
Review
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A 2018 review of Australia's sports integrity arrangements found gaps in how match-fixing is handled.
It found state and territory laws are inconsistent – e.g. Tasmania and WA use fraud laws rather than specific match-fixing rules.
The review recommended a national approach, and that Australia join the Macolin Convention, an international treaty against match-fixing.
Australia signed the treaty back in 2019, but still hasn't ratified it, which would make it legally binding.
The bill
This week, the Government introduced a bill to Parliament that would create seven new criminal offences for match-fixing.
Individuals who "corrupt" a sporting event could face up to 10 years in prison.
Inducing or soliciting someone else to fix an event carries up to 5 years.
Companies face fines instead of jail.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the offences "will ensure law enforcement agencies are well equipped to keep sport free from match‑fixing conduct".
“Match fixing is not simply a matter of cheating.
It is a deliberate corruption that threatens the fairness, safety and global reputation of Australian sport.”
Sport Minister Anika Wells in a media release announcing the reforms.
What's next?
The bill has been referred to a Senate inquiry for review.
After that, the Government will need to gain support from the Opposition or minor parties and independents for it to pass the Senate and become law.
Some of the new offences won't fully take legal effect until Australia formally ratifies the Macolin Convention.
