Athletes and swimmers with classified disability have an equal opportunity to participate in the following representative school sport program sports:
- Aquathlon
- Cross-country
- Swimming
- Track and field
What is multi-class classification?
Classification is at the centre of Para-sport. It determines the eligibility and groupings of Para-athletes for competition, based on their impairments.
As each Para-sport requires athletes to use their bodies differently, classification systems are different in each sport, which is critical to ensure that the best athlete or team is ultimately victorious
When do I need to get classified?
- Classification is only required for formal sport competition, not for social sport or recreation.
- Some National Sport Organisations (NSOs) offer provisional level classifications for athletes just starting out in their sport.
How do I get classified?
- Contact the NSO for the sport at least two months before classification.
- The NSO will provide information and forms that are needed.
- Athletes with a physical disability or vision impairment will need to make a classification appointment. Athletes with an intellectual disability will need to have a specialist complete paperwork.
Medical paperwork
The athletes' medical doctor or specialist must complete medical forms
prior to classification. This should be done at least one month in
advance.
What happens during classification?
The classifier/s will:
- Read the medical forms or reports provided.
- Get the athletes to perform vision or sport tests.
- Record and keep information on classification form.
- Take video or photographs if needed.
- Some athletes will need to be observed while they are competing
Athletes and their support person must be honest and try their best on all tests throughout classification. There are consequences and it is considered cheating if you do not.
Allocation of sport class and sport class status
- Classifiers will give each athlete a sport class such as B2 or T37.
- Athletes will also be given a sport class status. Athletes with Review (R) and Fixed Review Date (FRD) will need to be seen again either at the next competition or after the review date. Athletes with a Confirmed (C) sport class status will not need to be seen again.
Classification information
Every athlete's classification is published on the NSO website on the Classification Masterlist.
Who can compete as a multi-class athlete?
Athletes must have one of the eligible impairments listed below:
Eligible impairments
| Description |
Loss of limbs | Partial or complete absence of bones or joints due to amputation or deficiency from birth. |
Muscle weakness / Impaired muscle power
| Muscle weakness or paralysis from conditions such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, nerve damage, spinal cord injury or damage. |
Co-ordination impairments Hypertonia, Ataxia or Athetosis | Impairments from neurological conditions such as acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis that affect co-ordination and smoothness of movement and balance. |
Restricted joint movement | Restricted movement or tightness in a joint/s from conditions such as joint fusions and other restricting conditions. |
Short Stature | Reduced standing height and limb length from conditions such as achondroplasia or other conditions that affect growth. |
Leg length difference | Significant difference in leg length from a deficiency at birth or trauma. |
Intellectual Impairment | An IQ of 75, and impairments in adaptive behaviour (conceptual, social and practical skills) - that is observed before the athlete is aged 18. |
Vision Impairment | Impairment of the eye structure, optic nerves or pathways, or vision area of the brain, resulting in a loss of vision in both eyes. Caused by conditions such as albinism, macular degeneration, macular or cone rod dystrophy and retinitis pigmentosa.
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The school sport program allows multi-class athletes to join in a unified setting with their peers at regional, state, and national levels. These sports are available for students aged 10-12 and 13-19. For further details about the program, please reach out to your school sports coordinator, head of special education, or school principal.