MULTI CLASS SWIMMING ENGAGEMENT PORTAL

Welcome to Swimming Australia's Multi Class Swimming Engagement Portal!

Do you have a current swimming classification, or have been previously classified?*

YesNo
Not sure if you have an eligible swimming classification already? You can check the National Swimming Classification Master List.
If Yes, what is your current classification?
S
SB
SM

The National Swimming Classification System

The following information is a guide only.

There are five impairment groups in the swimming classification system which caters for a range of disabilities. The 5 impairment groups are split up into 19 classes. Each group has minimum eligibility requirements and swimmers must undergo an Athlete Evaluation or Eligibility process specific to their impairment group to obtain a classification.

Swimmers receive a class for each stroke discipline, and a prefix indicates which stroke the class applies to;
- The prefix S to the class denotes the class for Freestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly
- The prefix SB to the class denotes the class for breaststroke
- The prefix SM to the class denotes the class for Individual Medley
Learn more about each class below. If you would like to get classified just click the Get Classified button at the bottom.

Physical Impairment
Classes

S1-S10 - Freestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly

SB1-SB9 - Breaststroke

SM1-SM10 - Medley

Competition Pathway: Paralympic Games

Eligibility Criteria

Athletes are eligible to undergo athlete evaluation if affected by at least 1 of the following impairments:
- Hypertonia (i.e. Cerebral Palsy (CP), stroke, acquired brain injury)
- Ataxia (i.e. ataxia resulting from CP, brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis)
- Athetosis (i.e. chorea, athetosis from CP)
- Loss of limb or limb deficiency (i.e. amputation or congenital limb deficiency – dysmelia)
- Impaired ACTIVE range of movement (i.e. arthogryposis, ankylosis, scoliosis)
- Impaired muscle power (i.e. spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, brachial plexus injury, spina bifida, post-polio, Guillain-Barre syndrome)
- Leg-length difference (i.e. congenital or traumatic causes of bone shortening in one limb)
- Short stature (i.e. achondroplasia, spondophysealplasia)
The following Impairments are not eligible to be classified for Physical Impairment.
- Mental functions
- Hearing functions
- Pain
- Joint stability such as unstable shoulder joint, dislocation of a joint
- Muscle endurance functions
- Motor reflex functions
- Involuntary movement reaction functions
- Tics and mannerisms stereotypies and motor perseveration
- Cardiovascular functions
- Respiratory functions
- Impaired muscle power resulting from disuse (e.g. pain, conversion disorder);
- Hypotonia (e.g. associated with Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome);
- (Developmental) Dyspraxia, if not the result of a motor or sensory Impairments like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or multiple sclerosis.
Swimmers are assessed through physical and technical testing and in competition observation. Muscle strength, movement co-ordination, joint range of movement and limb/trunk length contribute to the allocation of classes.

Classes range from swimmers with most significant physical impairment (S1 SB1 SM1) to those with minimal impairment (S10 SB9 SM10).

More information about each sport class is available at the IPC Swimming webiste https://www.paralympic.org/swimming/classification

Classification System Partner

Vision Impairment
Classes

S11-S13 - Frestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly

SB11-SB13 - Breaststroke

SM11-SM13 - Medley

Competition Pathway: Paralympic Games

Eligibility Criteria

Athletes are eligible for athlete evaluation if affected by at least 1 of the following impairments and the following criteria are met:
- impairment of the eye structure
- impairment of the optical nerve/optic pathways
- impairment of the visual cortex of the central brain
Classification is based on best eye with best corrected vision.

S11 SB11 SM11

Generally athletes have a range from no light perception in either eye to light perception. Athletes generally have an inability to recognise the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction. Visual acuity is poorer than LogMAR 2.60.

S12 SB12 SM12

Visual acuity below 2/60 and/or the visual field of less than a diameter of 10 degrees. LogMar 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive)

S13 SB13 SM13

Visual acuity ranges from 2/60 – 6/60, and/or a visual field that is constricted to a radius of less than 20 degrees. LogMAR 1.40 to 1 (inclusive)

Classification is based on an assessment by a certified APC VI classifier. These are Ophthalmic professionals (i.e. Ophthalmologist, Orthoptist, Optometrist).

Vision Impairment Classification

Paralympics Australia manage the National Classification Program for Vision Impairment. If you have a vision impairment (VI) and would like to start the process of getting a VI classification, please complete our request for classification form HERE

If you have a Vision Impairment Classification in another Para Sport you may be able to transfer it to swimming. Contact Classification Services at classification@paralympic.org.au.

Classification System Partner

Intellectual Impairment
Classes

S14/18/19 -Freestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly

SB14/18/19 - Breaststroke

SM14/18/19 -Medley

S14 Competition Pathway: Paralympic Games

S14, S18 & S19 Competition Pathway: Virtus Global Games

Eligibility Criteria

S14 SB14 SM14

1. Significant impairment in intellectual functioning. This is defined as 2 standard deviations below the mean, that is, a Full Scale score of 75 or lower.

2. Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills.

3. Intellectual disability must be evident during the developmental period, which is from conception to 18 years of age.

S14 Guidance Notes

S14 Application Form

S18 SB18 SM18

Athletes with Down syndrome who have:

1. A formal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 or Translocation Down syndrome

2. An athlete an intellectual disability, who has met the S14 criteria and FAST test requirements

Note: Mosaic Down syndrome does not meet the eligibility criteria for S18.

Guidance Notes

S18 Application Form

S19 SB19 SM19

Athletes with Autism who have a formal diagnosis of Autism, ASD or Asperger's syndrome

Guidance Notes

S19 Application Form

For further information around the S14/18/19 classifications, along with eligibility, please visit: Sport Inclusion Eligibility

Note: There is an administration fee of to complete the application.

If you have a Intellectual Impairment Classification in another Para Sport you may be able to transfer it to swimming. Contact Sport Inclusion Australia to enquire.

Classification System Partners

Hearing Impairment
Classes

S15 - Frestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly

SB15 - Breaststroke

SM15 - Medley

Competition Pathway: Deaflympic Games

Eligibility Criteria

Swimmers who have a recognized hearing impairment according to the following ICSD standards; deaf, defined as a hearing loss of at least 55dB in the better ear 3FAHL.

If you have a Hearing Impairment Classification in another sport you may be able to transfer it to swimming. Contact Deaf Sports Australia to enquire.

Classification System Partner

Transplant Recipient
Classes

S16 - Freestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly

SB16 - Breaststroke

SM16 - Medley

Competition Pathway: World Transplant Games

Eligibility Criteria

Any person having undergone invasive treatment of a non-cosmetic nature requiring organs and/or tissues (excluding blood) donated by another person.

If you have a Transplant Classification in another Sport you may be able to transfer it to swimming. Contact Transplant Australia to enquire.

Classification System Partner

Get Classified
Complete this form to find out if you might be eligible for a swimming classification and get all the information you need to get classified.

Please note the content of this form is for informational purposes only. You will not be allocated a swimming classification by completing this form.

Should you have any questions please email classification@swimming.org.au or contact your State or Territory Swimming Association.

Click start to continue.

Are you Eligible?
Select your primary impairment type*

What is your diagnosis?
Please provide any additional information about how your impairment affects you.

Get Involved
Swimmer Details
Swimmer Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Name (If under 18 years)

First NameLast Name
Gender*
Date of Birth*

DayMonthYear
City/Town*
State*
Post Code*
E-mail*

Confirmation Email
Mobile Phone
Preferred contact method*

EmailMobile Phone
I am interested in completing athlete evaluation for physical impairment classification*

YesNo
I am interested in completing athlete evaluation for vision impairment classification*

YesNo
I am interested in joining my local swim club*

YesNo

Get Discovered
Select all that apply

I swim for my schoolI am a swim club memberI have an accreddited coach
School Name
Club Name
Coach Name
Number of training sessions per week
Number of km per session
Highest level of swimming participation
List any other sports you participate in
Highest level of participation in other sports
Do you have an eligible classification in another Para Sport?*

YesNo
Which Sport?
Classification
Body Mass (kg)
Body Height (cm)*

Please enter your current PB times

	25m	50m	100m	200m
Free
Back
Breast

Please enter your test results

	Time	Stroke (e.g. Free, Back, Breast, Fly)	Distance (e.g. 50m)
Speed Test
Kick Test
Pull Test

Where did you complete these tests?
When did you complete these tests?

DayMonthYear
Who assisted you to complete these tests?

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Consent*

I am 18 years or olderMy son/daughter is under 18 years
Parent/Guardian*

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Get Classified

Are you Eligible?

Get Involved

Get Discovered