Multiple classification (Multiclass)

Students living with disability can participate in school sport through multiclass events.  Multiclass is the format used to create meaningful competition for athletes and swimmers with disability, from multiple classification impairment categories. Multiclass events are held in interschool Swimming, Cross Country and Track and Field, with some minor modifications to the rules and regulations, where necessary. 

To ensure fairness and equal opportunity, students must have a formal classification to progress to Region and State in interschool sport.

Learn about classification: Review the General Information for Multiclass Students. 

Get started: Contact your school sports coordinator to support a student participate in upcoming events.

SSV multiclass events are currently offered in the following sports:

Interschool Sport Multiclass Events Offered:

• Cross Country: 2000m (Primary), 3000m (Secondary)

Primary: 2000m events for Boys 9 to 10, 11 Years, and 12 to 13 years.

Secondary: 3000m events for age groups 12 to 14, 15 to 16, and 17 to 20 years.

• Swimming: Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, Breaststroke 

Events include 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, and 50m Breaststroke.

Primary: Available for eligible age groups.

Secondary: Age groups include 12 to 14, 15 to 16, and 17 to 20 years.

• Track and Field: 100m, 200m, 800m, Long Jump, Shot Put 

Events include 100m, 200m, 800m, Long Jump, and Shot Put.

Primary: Available for eligible age groups.

Secondary: Age groups include 12 to 14, 15 to 16, and 17 to 20 years.

• Bowls: Multiclass opportunities are offered in bowls as a team sports

Team Vic Representative Program Multiclass Events Offered:

• Swimming
• Cross Country
• Track and Field
• Triathlon and Aquathlon
• Bowls

For further details, select the relevant sport page and Team Vic tab. 

Multiclass events are designed for students with disability.

In interschool sport, all primary students with disability can compete without a classification at District and Division level and all secondary students with disability can compete without a classification at Division level. To compete in Multiclass events at Region and State level, competitors must have a current, eligible classification of either a provisional, national, international or review status. 

Classification groups students who have similar impairments together into classes for competition in their particular sport. The classification assessment process is managed by the national federation for the sport, in conjunction with other system partners.  

Classification determines which students are eligible to compete and how they are grouped together for sports competition. 

When a multiclass student first shows interest in participating in an SSV interschool event, the school, parent, or guardian is encouraged to commence the process of classification. The process can take time so it's best to commence this process well before the first level of competition (i.e. District for primary students or Division for secondary students).

A student's parent/guardian or school should start the process of classification as soon as the student shows interest in participating in an interschool event. Getting a multiclass classification typically takes up to 6 weeks.

All Primary students with disability can compete without a classification at District and Division level. All Secondary students with disability can compete without a classification at Division level.

• A classification is required to compete at Region and State level for both primary and secondary students. We recommend beginning the classification process for a student when they qualify for Division level.
• Beginning the process when a student qualifies for Division level means they are likely to receive a classification prior to Region level. They may receive a provisional classification, which still allows them to compete at Region and State level.

Assessments are done by the sport’s national federation (and partners). Once classified, students will appear on the masterlist to verify their classification:

Masterlist - Swimming Swimming Australia - Swimmers with a Disability classification 

Masterlist - Cross Country / Track and Field Para-Athletics & Multi Class Competitions | Australian Athletics