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Without classification there is no Para–sport. It is crucial to the integrity and fairness of Para–sport competition.
Classification determines which athletes are eligible to compete and how they are grouped together for sports competition.
The aim of classification is to group together athletes whose impairments affect them in similar ways in their sport.
Para-sport classification is similar to grouping athletes by age, gender or weight.
Paralympics Australia (PA) is responsible for setting the Para-sport classification strategy. In Australia, PA works with our National Sporting Organisation partners to create opportunities for athletes to access the highest standard of classification at the relevant point in their sporting pathway.
We actively promote ethical and safe classification practice, ensuring that our athletes and people know their rights and responsibilities and that Para-sports integrity is upheld.
To compete in Para-sport, athletes must undergo a classification assessment and hold a sport class in their chosen sport.
Visit the Para-sports overview to find out more about the classification system or the physical, vision or intellectual classification pages to get classified in your sport of interest.
What happens during classification?
Classification panels test athletes in four steps:
- Medical documents: the athlete provides medical documents to confirm their diagnosis
- Physical assessment: all athletes complete medical tests such as: vision tests for athletes with a vision impairment; cognition tests for athletes with an intellectual impairment or measures of strength, movement and coordination for athletes with a physical impairment.
- Technical assessment: some athletes complete key sports drills and skills for example dives, turns and stroke technique in swimming or passing the ball and pushing their wheelchair in wheelchair rugby.
- Observation during competition: some athletes are observed by classifiers while they are competing.
For more information on the classification process see the fact sheets in the Classification Education and Resources.
What is the role of a classifier?
Classifiers are specialised sports officials with a medical or sport science background who have completed the classifier education of their sports federation.
Classifiers conduct classification assessments with athletes and their support person to decide an athletes’ eligibility and sport class.
Interested in becoming a classifier? Please refer to the impairment specific classification pages:
Can’t find the information you are looking for on our classification pages? Visit our FAQ section or contact us at [email protected]
