Multi-Class Swimming: A Place to Grow, Compete and Belong

If your child has a disability and you’re wondering whether competitive swimming could be for them, you’re in the right place. This page explains how multi-class swimming works in Australia, and how Redlands Swim Club can help you take the first step.

Welcome to Multi-Class Swimming at Redlands

Swimming can build fitness, confidence and friendships. For families new to the sport, though, the terms and the process can feel overwhelming at first. So we’ve put everything in one place.

  • You’re not alone. Redlands Swim Club has multi-class swimmers in our community, and a Multi-Class Coordinator who can talk you through it.
  • Every swimmer’s pace is different. At RSC, no one is rushed or left behind.
  • Everything here applies Australia-wide. The rules come from Swimming Australia. Some details, like classification days, vary by state.

What Is Multi-Class Swimming?

Multi-class swimming is the competition format in Australia that lets swimmers with a disability race fairly against each other.

  • Same sport, adjusted rules. The rules are similar to other swimming events, with flexibility where needed. For example, swimmers may use an optional platform or in-water start, and swimmers who are Deaf or blind can use sensory aids such as a “tapper” or signals.
  • Swimmers are grouped by classification. This is like grouping swimmers by age or gender.
  • Results are worked out by points. So the first swimmer to touch the wall is not always the official winner. More on that below.

For more detail, see Swimming Queensland’s Multi-Class Swimming Info Sheet.

Who Can Take Part in Multi-Class Swimming?

People with a physical, vision, hearing or intellectual disability, and transplant recipients, may be eligible to compete in multi-class swimming. In Australia there are five impairment groups: physical, intellectual, vision, hearing and transplant.

However, not every disability type is eligible, and swimmers must meet minimum criteria. This is because the classification process decides eligibility, not the club. If you’re not sure, start with the steps below.

Classification: The Key Step

Classification is how a swimmer is officially placed in a class. It is the foundation of multi-class swimming, because it decides which events a swimmer can enter and at what level.

What classification gives your child

  • A class for each stroke group. The prefix shows which strokes the class covers:
    • S – freestyle, backstroke and butterfly
    • SB – breaststroke
    • SM – individual medley
  • A Sport Class Status. This sets the level your child can compete at: club, regional, state, national or international.
  • Exceptions to the rules, where needed. These are decided during classification and help prevent a swimmer being disqualified for something linked to their impairment.

How the classes are grouped

There are 19 classes in total, 18 of which are internationally recognised:

  • Classes 1–10: physical impairment
  • Classes 11–13: vision impairment
  • Classes 14, 18 and 19: intellectual impairment
  • Class 15: hearing impairment
  • Class 16: transplant

If a swimmer qualifies in more than one category, they must choose only one to compete under. They cannot combine categories.

Who does the classifying?

This depends on the type of impairment.

  • Physical: Swimming Australia and your state swimming body
  • Vision: Paralympics Australia
  • Intellectual (including Down syndrome and autism): Sport Inclusion Australia
  • Hearing: Deaf Sports Australia
  • Transplant: Transplant Australia

Your First Steps: A Simple Road map

Step 1: Talk to us

Contact our Multi-Class Coordinator. We’d love to meet you and your swimmer. That way, we can talk through your child’s goals and make sure the squad and membership type are right.

Step 2: Register your interest in classification

Complete Swimming Australia’s Multi-Class Engagement Portal, or email classification@swimming.org.au.

Step 3: Get a provisional classification

  • Classification is available from age 8.
  • Medical documentation from a specialist confirming the eligible diagnosis is required. Physiotherapists are usually very familiar with a condition but cannot make the diagnosis.
  • A provisional classification is valid for club, local and regional competition. It also carries through to national level in the School Sport system.

Step 4: Join the club

Follow our How to Join page. This covers your assessment through Cleveland Aquatic Centre, your squad membership and your annual membership on Swim Central. Your classification is recorded on your child’s Swim Central profile.

Not sure where your child fits? See our Squad Levels and Swim Meet Levels pages.

Step 5: Plan for the next level (when you’re ready)

To race at national championships, a swimmer needs a National status classification. This involves a face-to-face assessment run by Swimming Australia or a state swimming body, held at classification events throughout the year. Check Swimming Queensland for upcoming dates.

For Queensland details, see Swimming Queensland’s Multi-Class Swimming page and its Classification & Pathways Info Sheet.

Your Child’s Classification Card 🪪

Once classified, the details appear in your child’s Swim Central profile under My Memberships. Select the swimmer’s club membership to see their card.

  • Class – for example S10, SB9, SM10
  • ! (Exceptions) – any exceptions that apply
  • i (Review year) – when the classification is due for review

If a technical official asks for proof of classification at a meet, this is where you’ll find it.


How Multi-Class Racing Works 🏁

Points, not just times

After each race, every swimmer receives a Multi-Class Point Score (MCPS). The calculator compares your child’s time with the world record for their class and event. The closer they swim to that record, the more points they earn. This keeps results fair for swimmers in different classes who race together.

Racing at club and local meets

Multi-class swimmers are warmly encouraged to race at local meets. However, depending on the meet, multi-class points may not be used for placings, so your child may compete against swimmers without a disability. That can feel frustrating at first. But these meets are valuable for:

  • Gaining race experience and confidence
  • Chasing personal bests
  • Practising starts, turns and finishes
  • Achieving qualifying times for higher-level meets

Swimmers with a disability can also enter open water and non-multi-class events, as long as they meet the qualifying times. No multi-class points are used for those events.

Age groups vary

Age groups differ between meets, so always check each meet’s information booklet. See our Qualifying Times Explained and How to Enter Meets pages for how this works at RSC.

Where Can Multi-Class Swimming Lead? 🚀

Swimming Australia’s pathway runs from your local club right through to international competition.

  • Paralympic pathway (Classes 1–14): World Para Swimming and the International Paralympic Committee
  • Other pathways (Classes 15–19): Special Olympics Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, Transplant Australia and Sport Inclusion Australia
  • Development programs: Swimming Australia offers programs for eligible swimmers.

But it’s not only about winning races. For many swimmers, this is where they find belonging, friendships and independence, and are recognised for what they can do.

How RSC Supports Multi-Class Families 🤝

  • Coaches who know every swimmer by name, who can support each swimmer’s individual goals
  • A Multi-Class Coordinator to guide you through classification and meets
  • A volunteer community of families who celebrate each other’s wins
  • Clear expectations. Classification and eligibility are set by Swimming Australia and state bodies, so we’ll always guide you to the right process rather than guess. As a result, your child can race with confidence.

Your child’s safety always comes first. Read our Child Safety page.

Quick Questions

Does my child need a diagnosis first?

Yes. Provisional classification requires medical documentation from a specialist.

Can my child still race while waiting for classification?

Yes, at club meets. Talk to us about what’s available in the meantime.

What if my child’s condition changes?

Classifications are reviewed. The review year is shown on the Swim Central card.

Will my child race against swimmers without a disability?

At some local meets, yes. At multi-class events, swimmers are ranked by points.

How do I get my child classified for swimming?

Start with Swimming Australia’s Multi-Class Engagement Portal, then arrange a provisional classification with medical documentation from a specialist. See “Your First Steps” above.

What age can a child be classified for swimming?

Classification is available from age 8.

Quick Links

Every swimmer has somewhere to begin. Ours begins with a conversation.