COMPETITION INFORMATION
Athletics Australia endorses an all-inclusive competition calendar. All events run by Athletics Australia and its Member Associations cater for para-athletics athletes. The following information describes the process for a athlete to compete in para-athletics in Australia.
Beginning Your Athletics Journey
Any athlete who wishes to compete in track & field as a para-athletics must first obtain a classification. An athlete who is looking to obtain a classification should first read through the Get Classified page on the Athletics Australia website. Once an athlete has an understand of the classification procedures for their impairment group, they can then refer to the National Classification Calendar to attend the next available classification opportunity within their Member Association.
Membership and Registration
To compete in track & field in Australia, athletes must be a registered member of one of Athletics Australia's Member Associations. Please click on the relevant Member Association button below to view their membership information and register to take the next step in your athletics journey.
Competing
Each Member Association runs a state wide season (October through to April) which registered athletes can participate in culminating in a state championships. Athletes will need to check with their state association directly for information on their State Para-Athletics Championships. State Associations may also offer winter competitions for athletes. Please click on the relevant Member Associations link to view their states competitions calendar.
Multi Disability Scoring Tables
In Australia because not all athletes are of the same impairment type, Athletics Australia and its Member Associations use MDS Tables (Multi Disability Scoring Tables) to rank the results of athletes competing against each other from various classes in the classification system. For more information on the tables, please view our MDS tables page.
National Championships
In Australia their are various national championships available to para-athletes;
Australian All Schools Athletics Championships - The national championships for school students conducted annually in December. This is a teams event where athletes represent their state member association. Please contact your state Member Association for more information on team selection.
Australian Junior Championships - The national championships for all registered members under the age of 20 across Australia. This event occurs annually at the end of March following on from each Member Associations state junior championships event. Entries for this event are also taken through your state membership association, please contact them directly for more information.
Australian Open Championships - The Australian Open Championships are run and conducted annually in March/April by Athletics Australia. It is the final event of the Australian track & field season. The event is conducted as an open age event and entries are taken directly through Athletics Australia, for more information please view our Events section.