Australian handicapping changes for 2026

THE Handicapping Rules Review Committee (HRRC) recommended changes to the Australian Handicapping Rules, particularly the National Ratings Based Handicapping System have been passed by the HRA members.

The Australian Handicapping Rules that will come into effect on 1 January 2026, can be viewed here.

After extensive consultation with industry over the past 2 years, the key changes are a new points matrix, new dropback provisions and a new 2 year old and 3 year old points matrix.

Harness Racing Australia’s Head of Racing & Strategy Toby McKinnon will join Paul Campbell on Campbell Comments at 7:00pm tomorrow night (Sunday 30th, November – to detail the changes and outline the reasons the HRRC have made their decisions) in a live interactive forum.