Multiple Classification or Multi-Class Swimming, is the format of competitive swimming in Australia for people with disabilities to compete in a fair and equitable way.
Multi-Class Swimming
Multi-Class swimming events follow similar rules as non Multi-Class swimming events, with adjustments and flexibilities used to support swimmers with disabilities who may need further assistance around the pool, for example, optional platform or in-water starting positions for races and the use of sensory aids like ‘tappers’ or signals for swimmers who are Deaf or Blind.
Swimmers with disability are classified and grouped in a class related to their disability, like grouping athletes by age, gender or weight. Multi-Class race results are calculated according to their classification using the Multi-Class Point Score calculator, meaning that the first person to touch the wall in a race is not necessarily the official winner. This provides a fair and equitable format for multiple disabilities competing against each other.
Eligible disability types compete across 19 classes at club, regional, school, state, and national championships. People with physical, visual, hearing, intellectual disabilities and transplant recipients may be eligible to compete.
It is important to note that not all disability types are eligible for Multi-Class competition, and eligibility is determined through the classification process. More information on classification can be found HERE.
The Multi-Class Point Score calculator users a swimmer’s classification, comparing their time to the world record for that class and event, awarding points based on how close they swam to the specific event and classification world record. This ensures fair results across different disability classifications.
MCPS Calculators can be found HERE
There are many ways swimmers with disabilities can get involved in swimming. As a sport for competition, a hobby to connect with friends, or just to work on personal fitness goals, swimming has a place for every Australian.
Swimming Australia’s performance pathway offers swimmers with disability a chance to compete at various levels, starting with developing and nurturing their skills at their local club, right through to competing on the international stage.
Swimmers with disability are eligible to compete in non-Multi-Class and open water events as long as athletes meet the necessary qualifying times. No Multi-Class Point Scores will be used for non-Multi-Class events.
There are many competition pathways available to Multi-Class swimmers provided by various governing bodies.
Swimming Australia and the State Swimming Organisations offer various levels of competition for swimmers with disability across all 19 classes.
Paralympic Pathway S1 – S14
World Para Swimming and the International Paralympic Committee offer various levels of competition to athletes with disability who qualify to compete internationally
Non-Paralympic Pathway S15 – S19
Special Olympics Australia (S14, S18, S19) offer competition that is focused on participation. Athletes are not classified for Special Olympic events but are part of divisions to create fair and equitable participation. Special Olympics have club, state, national and international events.
Deaf Sports Australia (S15) offer various levels of competition for athletes that are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Athletes compete at local teams and clubs, Swimming Australia competitive pathways, National Deaf Swimming Championships, Australian Deaf Games, and Deaflympics
Transplant Australia (S16) offer various levels of competition for athletes who have received a transplant (solid organ or bone marrow recipients). Athletes compete at local teams and clubs, Swimming Australia competitive pathways, Australian Transplant Games, and World Transplant Games.
Sport Inclusion Australia (S14, S18, S19) offer competition pathways for athletes with intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and Autism to compete at Virtus events both regionally and globally.
