Provisional Athlete Classification

Children who are 8 years or older with an eligible physical impairment have the opportunity to compete in their school athletics carnivals or local athletics club with a classification.

The information below explains the process to have your child classified. There are different qualifying standards for each sport depending on the skills required for each. Below are the details for track and field classification although children can also be classified for swimming, cross country, aquathlon and triathlon.

What is classification?

Classification is an assessment process which allows athletes to be grouped depending on the limitations their disability causes in a particular sport in order to allow for meaningful competition. It involves an assessment of impairments and how this affects running, throwing and jumping for athletics. 

This process enables athletes (8 years or older) who do not have access to a full classification panel to gain an indication of whether they are eligible and where they might fit within the national Athletics classification system. 

This provisional classification is valid for competition up to and including state championships. If you wish to compete at a national level, you will need a current national level classification.

How to get a classification

ATHLETICS (including cross-country)

https://www.athletics.com.au/participant-hub/get-involved/multi-class-athletics/ 

  1. Step 1: Complete section 1 of the attached pdf with athlete details and informed consent (completed by parent or guardian)

  2. Step 2: Complete section 2: Athletics Athlete Evaluation Sheet (completed by physiotherapist)

  3. Step 3: Complete Medical Diagnostics form (Completed by Doctor)

  4. Step 4: Submit all application documents to classification@athletics.org.au 

SWIMMING

https://www.swimming.org.au/get-involved/para-swimming/classification 

  • New swimmers can access a Provisional Classification. Medical documentation from a specialist is required confirming the eligible diagnosis.

  • A Provisional status classification is valid for club, local, regional levels of competition only. It also carries through to the National level in the School Sport System.

  • Contact: classification@swimming.org.au for further information and an application