Classification in Australia
Under the APC’s national classification strategy, the APC manages Australia’s Classification Policies and Procedures, in accordance with the IPC Classification Code. These Policies and Procedures cover:
- Responsibilities of National Sports Federations
- Classifier certification, training and development
- Delivery of Athlete classification serivices
- National Protests and Appeals
The APC's Classification Policy can be found at the bottom of this page.
When is Classification required?
The APC is commited to ensuring every Australian athlete with a disability has access to classification at all levels of their development.
Classification is not required for general participation in sport. Any person can participate in sport socially without any need to be classified. However, if you want to compete in sport as an athlete with a disability, you must meet the minimal disability criteria for your chosen sport and hold a particular level of classification. Early classification is important to an athlete’s developmental pathway. It allows athletes to confirm they are eligible for Paralympic sport and to compare their performance with athletes of the same class and set realistic performance goals
Athletes should have access to accurate classification advice at all levels of competition, by a person who is a trained classifier. Where there is uncertainty about an athlete’s classification, it is typical for a higher class rather than lower class to be allocated to an athlete.
Levels of Classification in Australia
There are three levels of classification appropriate for an athlete’s development.
Provisional Classification
The provisional classification is for athletes who do not have access to a sport-specific classification panel, who generally participate at a club level, school level or regional competition. A provisional class is generally not valid for state level competition. Athletes with provisional classification are not eligible for national rankings, records or team selections. Provisional classification must be given by a certified classifier and is conducted in line with international classification rules for each sport. Provisional classifications are generally only valid for 12 months or until an athlete is seen by a national classificaiton panel.
National Classification
National classification is for athletes who require a class to compete against others with a disability in their chosen sport. Classification is generally required for a state or national championships and usually is held in conjunction with competition. National classification involves being tested by a recognised classification panel using the same tests that are conducted in the International Classification process. It is valid for up to national level competition and is required for selection to National teams and to claim Australian records or rankings.
International Classification
Once an athlete progresses to international competition, they will need to hold an International Classification. This is obtained at an International event in their sport. An International classification outcome always supercedes any National level classification. The APC works with the sports at this level to ensure that athletes and teams are adequately prepared for the process.
For information about how classification works for your sport, please visit the sport profile pages for Summer and Winter sport.
