Para-athletics

Who is eligible to compete in Para-athletics?

Intellectual Impairment	Yes
Physical Impairment	Yes
Vision Impairment	Yes

What is an intellectual impairment?

An intellectual impairment is a limitation in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills, which develops before the age of 18.

What is a physical impairment?

A physical impairment is an impairment affecting the physical body and relates to one or more of the conditions listed below:

• Ataxia
• Athetosis
• Hypertonia
• Impaired muscle power
• Impaired passive range of movement
• Leg length difference
• Limb deficiency
• Short stature

What is a vision impairment?

A vision impairment is an impairment of the eye structure, optical nerves or pathways, or visual cortex, which impacts the vision in both eyes.

What are the classes?

Athletes are grouped into classes in accordance with the classification rules. An athlete’s class is based on how their impairment impacts the movement skills required in their sport.

Athletes are given classifications with the prefix ‘T’ for track events and ‘F’ for field events.

T20, F20	Athletes with an intellectual impairment
T31-38, F31-38, T40-47, F40-47, T51-54, F51-57, T61-64, F61-64	Athletes with a physical impairment
T11-13, F11-13	Athletes with a vision impairment
Not Eligible (NE)	Does not have an eligible impairment type and/or meet the minimum impairment criteria for Para-athletics

More: Para-athletics Classification Information Sheet (updated November 2019)

How do I get classified?

Find out more about seeking a Para-athletics classification.

Classification Masterlist

Athletics Australia manages the National Para-athletics Classification Masterlist. This list includes athletes who have been classified in accordance with the World Para-athletics Classification Rules and Regulations, Paralympics Australia’s Classification Policy and Athletics Australia’s classification policy.