Rules vary here in NSW from the rest of Australia.
There is a huge push at the moment to get Muay Thai (without guards) legal in this state. It is a political hot-potato at the moment and there is a lot of feeling in the sport at this time.

Basically here's the guff as I know it:

Kickboxing in NSW falls under the juristiction of the Boxing Authority and the Department of State and Recreation. Promoters must have the fighters on their shows wear shin guards during a Kickboxing fight. Pro and amateur. Though I must say I have seen fights here in NSW with pros not wearing shin guards.

The Boxing Auth. and Dept. of State and Rec. will not allow a Muay Thai show to go ahead without headgear, body armour, elbow pads and shin guards.

Oriental Rules fights are where there a no knees to the head and no elbows. Body armour (for knees to the body) and shin guards have to be worn. Though I have seen fights without shin guards.

The WMC have had shows go ahead here in NSW with knees but no elbows from what I've seen without body armour head gear and shin guards.

Women are NOT ALLOWED TO BOX, KICKBOX OR FIGHT MUAY THAI !!! This again is due to the draconian, anal retentive attitude of the B.A. and Dept of S&R towards Martial Arts here in NSW. They can however, go into full contact Kyokushin tourny's any other weekend they choose?!?! What the ???!!!

Amateur fights are generally 3 x 1.5 minute rounds. There are also 3 x 2 minute rounds. Depending on the title and sanctioning body, rounds can go from 4 to 5 and 7 rounds. There may be other rules but I haven't seen fights out fo this state first hand.

Here is a photo of Pitbull's Mark Vella (Bullet) during his latest win which was a Muay Thai fight with all the garb on.

If I have it wrong, my apologies but this is what I believe is to be the case.