The Albanese Government is safeguarding a fair and level playing field for elite athletes and major sporting events in Australia, with legislation to bolster our world-leading anti-doping and sport integrity practices passing Parliament.
The Sport Legislation Amendment (World Anti-Doping Code Implementation) Bill 2026 reinforces Australia's robust sport integrity framework in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Bill implements key reforms required under the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code including:
- reinforcing the independence of Australia's anti-doping system by transferring responsibility for imposing consequences from sports to Sport Integrity Australia
- protecting vulnerable participants by ensuring publication decisions balance the public interest with privacy safeguards
- modernising Australia's anti-doping laws by updating the definition of athlete to align with the Code
- strengthening the appeal rights of athletes in relation to Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) decisions.
The revised Code comes into effect on 1 January 2027. Australia is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code through Sport Integrity Australia.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:
"The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of international anti-doping and sport integrity practices.
"Athletes expect to compete on a level playing field and we have a proud history of having strong safeguards in place to ensure the integrity of Australian sport.
"This law put in place by the Albanese Government ensure compliance with the international code set by WADA, keeping Australia in harmony with anti-doping frameworks worldwide."
