New law strengthens the integrity of Australian sport and provides greater powers to law enforcement agencies
The Australian Government is strengthening the integrity of sport in the country by criminalising match-fixing, with offences carrying penalties of up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The Albanese Government introduced the Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026 last week, targeting a range of competition manipulation and betting-related corruption.
This includes the corruption of a sporting event, inducing or soliciting the corruption of a sporting event, and the improper handling of information about conduct that corrupts a sporting event and inside information.
The Government said that growing threat of match-fixing exposes athletes to coercion and exploitation, threatening the integrity of Australian sport, while also undermining the credibility of sporting competitions and defrauding the public.
Match-fixing can also provide a foothold for transnational crime syndicates to launder money, manipulate outcomes, and target vulnerable participants in domestic sporting codes, the Government said.
“There’s no place in Australia for match-fixing or conduct that seeks to undermine the integrity of our sporting events,” said Attorney-General Michelle Rowland MP. “That’s why the Albanese Government is introducing the Commonwealth’s strongest ever laws to ensure our sport sector is safe, fair and free from corruption.
“These offences will ensure law enforcement agencies are well-equipped to keep sport free from match‑fixing conduct that occurs both in Australia and overseas. We owe it to our athletes, fans, and our future generations to ensure that the sports they play and watch are fair and free from manipulation.”
Under the bill, offences carry penalties of up to ten years’ imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of harm that can arise from match-fixing conduct.
The bill responds to recommendations from the Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements, and is a crucial step towards Australia’s ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, known as the Macolin convention.
Australia was the first non-European nation to sign the international treaty, which aims to prevent, detect and sanction national or transnational match-fixing of national and international sporting competitions.
“Australia’s sporting culture is deeply embedded in our national identity,” said Minister for Sport, Hon Anika Wells MP. “Australians love sport and believe it should be built on merit, effort, and fairness. This legislation helps protect that belief. 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.
“Athletes will always be at the heart of what makes sport special and the Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone involved in sport in Australia, from playground to podium. As Minister for Sport, my message is clear: those who seek to undermine the integrity of sport through corruption and manipulation will face the full force of the law.”
The bill forms part of the Government’s broader integrity agenda to maintain confidence in the cultural institutions Australians value.
Last week, the Albanese Government apassed the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill, delivering the strongest ever reforms for the country’s gambling market.