Australia will become the first country in the world to voluntarily ban the use of whips in harness racing.

Harness Racing Australia (HRA) announced today it would ban the use of whips in both racing and training from September 1 next year in response to animal welfare concerns.

HRA chairman Geoff Want said it was an historic day.

"Harness racing in Australia has been going for some 200 years and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that today's announcement is possibly the most momentous we've made in that 200-year history," he said.

"There'll be no whips allowed on training tracks, on racetracks, stables, in any other application in our industry."

The ban takes effect from September next year.

Mr Want said the decision was taken for animal welfare reasons.

"There is compelling evidence these days that society will not tolerate continued cruelty towards animals," he said.

"We are doing it for the image of our sport, we are doing it for the sustainability of our industry, we're doing it to secure our future."

History of whips in harness racing 1800s: Whips first used for trotting races

Whips first used for trotting races 1970s: Cane whip replaced with fiberglass inside a plaited nylon cover

Cane whip replaced with fiberglass inside a plaited nylon cover 1990s: Whip length reduced

Whip length reduced 2010: Rules changed, drivers only allowed to use elbow and wrist action

Rules changed, drivers only allowed to use elbow and wrist action 2016: Drivers must have one rein in each hand at all times

Drivers must have one rein in each hand at all times 2017: Australia to become the first country to voluntarily ban whips

There would be a program of awareness, education, research and monitoring across the industry.

Mr Want said he believed some in the industry would resist change.

"People are going to have to adapt to change," he said.

"Some drivers that we've road-tested this decision with, about safety issues, they believe they need a whip to help control unruly horses.

"There are times when horses will shy at something in a crowd or a bird or whatever, they can become fractious.

"We intend to engage in extensive consultation with our drivers, trainers, owners and other horsemen about what sort of tool we can develop that will be able to be used."

Future of the whip

That "tool", which would be for safety and not performance, will be developed in consultation with The RSPCA, which has welcomed the move to ban whips.

RSCPA chief executive Heather Neil said she would like to see whips banned immediately, but understood it needed time.

"In order for the whip-rule changes to be implemented smoothly, drivers and trainers need time to adjust, they need time to change the habits of many, many years," she said.

"This decision to end the use of whips in racing sets a new path for harness racing but it also sends a very clear message to other racing codes in Australia and overseas that they should be following.

"We know that whips in racing is an issue of concern around the world and I think this has just set the benchmark for everybody else and we certainly hope that the thoroughbred industry who are also reviewing their whip rules right now follow immediately afterwards."

The RSPCA has welcomed the ban. ( ABC News: Elize Strydom )

Leading driver Chris Alford said he supported the ban, because it was in line with community expectations.

He said he had used a whip in every race he had driven over 35 years.

"I've watched races when I've driven 20, 30 years ago, and how we used to hit them back then compared to now, it's all changed," Mr Alford said.

"We've adapted our ways and it looks quite good, if we can make it work without whips it'll be even better."

He said the race was now on to develop a tool which can keep drivers safe and the horses straight.

"It's obviously going to be something that is going to have to keep them straight and keep their mind on the job without actually hitting them with it," Mr Alford said.

"We've got nine months to sort of work it out so I'm sure with a lot of people in the harness racing have got good ideas and they'll come up with something that'll work."

Turnover will not be impacted: HRA

According to the HRA, the industry employs 19,000 people nationally and $113 million is spent annually breeding the horses.

"We are confident that wagering turnover will not be impacted and indeed a number of professional punters have indicated support for the ban," Mr Want said.

The HRA said it would undertake research to ensure safety when drivers do not have a whip to control unexpected horse movements.