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

  • 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?

  • The National Swimming Classification System

    The following information is a guide only. For full details, refer to the Swimming Australia Classification Policy and Procedures Manual.

    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 16 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

      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

      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).

       

      If you have a Vision Impairment Classification in another Para Sport you may be able to transfer it to swimming. Contact the APC Classification Services on 02 9704 0500 or classification@paralympic.org.au.

      Classification System Partner

    • Intellectual Impairment  
    • Classes

      S14 -Freestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly

      SB14 - Breaststroke

      SM14 -Medley

      Eligibility Criteria

      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.

      Note: There is an administration fee of $35 for adults or $15 for students payable to Sport Inclusion Australia (Formerly AUSRAPID). 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

      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

      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?


  • Based on the information you have provided we recommend you apply for a physical impairment swimming classification.

    Click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided we can't quite determine if you are eligible for a physical impairment swimming classsification. We might just need some more detailed information from you.

    Please provide some further information below, then click next to continue.


  • Based on the information you have provided we recommend you apply for a vision impairment swimming classification.

    To register for Vision Impairment Athlete evaluation complete the APC 'Get Into Sport' form or contact APC Classification Services on 02 9704 0500 or classification@paralympic.org.au.

    Click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided we can't quite determine if you are eligible for a vision impairment swimming classsification. We might just need some more detailed information from you.

    For further assistance complete the APC 'Get Into Sport' form or contact APC Classification Services on 02 9704 0500 or classification@paralympic.org.au.

    Please provide some further information below, then click next to continue.


  • Based on the information you have provided we recommend you apply for an intellectual impairment swimming classification.

    To apply please complete the application form which you can get from the link below.

    http://sportinclusionaustralia.org.au/eligibility/ 

    Note: There is an administration fee of $35 for adults or $15 for students payable to Sport Inclusion Australia to complete the application.

    When you have downloaded the form click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided it appears you are not eligible for an intellectual impairment swimming classsification.

    Please contact Sport Inclusion Australia for further assistance.

    Click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided we recommend you apply for a hearing impairment swimming classification.

    To apply please complete the Audiogram Form which you can get from the link below.

    http://deafsports.org.au/Participation 

     

    When you have downloaded the form click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided you are not eligible for a hearing impairment swimming classsification for Multi Class Competition.

    However you may be eligible for other deaf swimming competitions. To apply please complete the Audiogram Form which you can get from the link below.

    http://deafsports.org.au/Participation 

     

    Please contact Deaf Sports Australia for further information.

    You can also participate in standard swimming competition. Visit www.swimming.org.au or contact your State or Territory Swimming Association to get involved.

     

    Click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided you are not eligible for a hearing impairment swimming classsification for Multi Class Competition. However you may participate in standard swimming competition.

    Visit www.swimming.org.au or contact your State or Territory Swimming Association to get involved.

     

    Click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided we recommend you apply for a transplant swimming classification.

    To apply please complete the medical certificate form and submit to Transplant Australia.

    Download

    When you have downloaded the form click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided you are not eligible for a transplant swimming classsification for Multi Class Competition. However you may be eligible for other transplant swimming competitions.

    Contact Transplant Australia for further information.

    You can also participate in standard swimming competition. Visit www.swimming.org.au or contact your State or Territory Swimming Association to get involved.

     

    Click next to continue.

  • Based on the information you have provided you are not eligible for a swimming classification however you may participate in standard swimming competition. Visit www.swimming.org.au or contact your State or Territory Swimming Association to get involved.

     

    Click next to continue.

  • Get Involved

  • Swimmer Details

  •  /  / Pick a Date

  • Get Discovered

  •  
  •  
  •  /  / Pick a Date
  • Please provide your consent and accept the terms and conditions. Then complete the security check below.

    If you would like to keep a record of your responses please click the Print Form button below.


    Click Submit to finish.

  •  
  • Should be Empty: