Track and Field

Updated Thursday 30 July 2026 

This page outlines the official competition rules, event formats, and safety requirements for SSV Secondary Track and Field championships. It provides essential information regarding qualification standards, athlete eligibility, event marshalling, and match-day procedures for all secondary competition levels.

Please note: Following School Sport Victoria’s (SSV’s) annual review of Interschool sport rules, and with feedback from all 8 SSV regions, SSV has removed Hurdles from Secondary Interschool Track and Field for boys and girls in 2026.

These rules apply to State, Region and Division competitions. Any variations to these rules at Region and Division levels will be found on the relevant page on the SSV website.

Competition Format & Weather Policy

• Format: Finals for athletes qualifying from Region finals.
• Program Modification: Please note that these State Championships will not be cancelled due to inclement weather. The Convener / Competition Coordinator has the right to modify the timing of the program to ensure efficient and safe conduct of the Championships.

Competition Conditions & Qualification

General Conditions

• See School Sport Victoria’s ‘General Conditions of Competition’. All players, teachers, spectators, and officials are bound by the ‘SSV Codes of Conduct’ and the ‘Participant Behaviour Policy’.
• A girl cannot play in a girls’ team and a boys/mixed team in the same sport.
• The level of competition chosen by a student at Division level remains binding through to Region and State levels.

Qualifying Athletes

• Age Calculation: Ages are calculated as at 31 December in the year of competition.
• Eligibility: Competing athletes are those who qualified at each of the eight Sporting Regions of SSV and must be bona fide secondary students.
• 3,000m Requirement: For 3,000 metre events, athletes must have satisfied the qualifying standard set out below.
• Region Representation: Regions may be represented by 1 competitor in each event except 1500m and 3000m events, in which case 2 competitors from each Region are eligible to compete. If a tie occurs, this must be resolved at the region level (e.g., Jump Off, Race Off, etc.).
• Disability Events: Each Region will have one representative qualify for each event on the program for students with a disability.
• Age Group Rules:
• A competitor may compete in an older age group provided they only compete in one age group for all of their individual events.
• They may, however, compete in an event in another age group for which they are eligible if there is no 'identical' event in their own age group. For the purposes of this rule, all Shot Put, Discus, and Javelin events shall be regarded as 'identical'.
• A competitor may compete in a different relay age group to their individual event age group.
• Competitors may only compete in one age group in the relays. There are no Multiclass Athlete Relays.
• The age group an athlete competes in at Division Level cannot be changed when competing at higher levels of competition.
• Late Entry Changes: Changes to entries, as notified by the Region Coordinator, will only be accepted up to two (2) working days prior to the Championships. After this time, changes will not be accepted.

Qualifying Standards (3000m)

Athletes must satisfy the following standards to compete at the State level:

Athlete Rules & Classifications

Multiclass Athletes (MC)

• Events Offered: Multiclass events are conducted in 100m, 200m, 800m, Long Jump, and Shot Put.
• Formats: Multiclass events will be conducted using the multi-disability format for both boys and girls: Intellectual Impairment, Ambulant, and Wheelchair.
• Scoring: Results are calculated using the Athletics Australia Multi Disability Standards (MDS) tables.
• Governing Rules: Each event will be conducted using WA/IPC rules, with AV Officials as Referees.
• Qualifications & Invitations:
• Each Multiclass competitor MUST have competed at the Region level.
• School Sport Victoria reserves the right to invite extra Multiclass athletes who have not placed 1st at their Region competition based on their region performances and the MDS points system.
• Restrictions: An athlete is not eligible to compete in the Multiclass and able-bodied event of the same discipline.
• Classification: Students must hold a current classification. Students without a classification must contact the Australian Paralympic Committee (see contact details on the SSV website).
• Able-Bodied Transition: Multiclass Athletes wishing to compete in able-bodied events (including relays) must qualify according to the regular SSV progression pathway.

Event Limits & General Rules

• Maximum Events: Athletes are permitted to compete in a maximum of 5 events, which excludes relays.
• Rules Framework: The Championships are conducted under the rules of World Athletics (WA), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and SSV unless otherwise stated.
• Disability Events: All events for students with a disability will be contested as multi-disability format and results will be calculated using the Athletics Australia Multi Disability Standards (MDS) tables.
• Marshalling:
• Competitors must report to their event site at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time of the event.
• Competitors should be aware that the scheduled times printed in the program are approximate and subject to change.
• Appropriate announcements will be made concerning any substantial alterations.

Event Rules & Procedures

Track Events

• Format: All track events will be conducted as straight Finals.
• 800m Event: Competitors will start in lanes and may move out of their lane after the first 100m has been completed and having crossed the green break line.
• 1500m & 3000m Events: Competitors will start on the curved line.
• Lane Allocation: Lanes will be drawn according to IAAF and IPC Rules. Track competitors may be required to wear identifying numbers on their uniform.
• Starts:
• Competitors in events up to and including 400m events will be required to use a 'crouch' start.
• The one false start rule will be used. The first ‘break’ will be deemed a ‘False Start’.
• Any further ‘breaks’ (by any competitor) will result in disqualification of the offending competitor.
• The use of starting blocks is not compulsory, but they will be provided. Private starting blocks will NOT be permitted.

Relay Rules

• Team Sheets:
• The four members of each relay team must be students at the same school/campus, with names submitted on the relay team sheet prior to the competition.
• Teams will be disqualified if a relay team sheet is not supplied or runners in the event do not match the names listed.
• Each school must submit One Relay Team sheet per relay team.
• Relay Team Sheets must be submitted to the convener a minimum of 48 hours prior to the championships.
• Alterations can be made to the team sheet up to 1 hour prior to the first relay event running.
• Email team sheets to: ssv.interschoolsport@education.vic.gov.au.
• Gender Rules:
• Girls are permitted to compete in a Boy/Mixed Relay provided they do not also compete in a Girls’ Relay.
• A Boys/Mixed team must be made up of a minimum of one Boy.
• Boys are not permitted to compete in the Girls’ Relay.
• Roster & Combined Schools:
• Each school may name a maximum of six (6) competitors, with four (4) to compete in the relay.
• Schools from within the same Secondary Division with a combined enrolment of no more than 300 students may enter Division, Region, and State competitions as a combined representative team.
• Substitutions may only be made from the named emergency competitors.
• The level of competition chosen by a student at Division level remains binding through to Region and State levels.
• All competitors must comply with the relevant General Conditions of Competition Rules 1, 2, and 3 and the rules of the sport.
• Batons: Relay batons will be provided.

Field Events

• Order of Competition: In accordance with IAAF and IPC Rules.
• Rounds: In all field events, except High Jump, three rounds of competition will be held.
• Determining Field Event Winners:
• In all field events (other than high jump) where two or more competitors have the same ‘best’ trial, their second-best trials will be compared to determine the winner.
• If still equal, the third-best trials are compared.

Clash of Events

• Track Event vs. Field Event (excluding High Jump):
• Competitor must report to the field event official first and, if time permits, take one or more trials.
• The competitor must then marshal for his/her track event and return to the field event immediately after the track event and complete his/her three trials.
• The three trials must be completed within the time allocated to the event.
• Track Event vs. High Jump:
• Competitor must report to the high jump event prior to marshalling for his/her track event.
• The competitor must return to the high jump as quickly as possible after the track event.
• The high jump event will continue in their absence. The competitor must continue at the new height when he/she returns.
• The bar will not be lowered.

Official Policies & Guidelines

Protests & Appeals (WA Rule)

• Protests will be heard on the day of competition ONLY. Protests received after the day of competition will not be accepted.
• Initial Protest: Protests concerning the conduct of an event, in the first instance, should be made to the appropriate Referee (Track Referee for all track events; Throws Referee for shot put and discus; Jumps Referee for high jump, long jump and triple jump; Disability Referee for all disability events) by the athletes or their teacher.
• If their teacher is not in attendance, the adult responsible for the athlete may act on the athlete’s behalf.
• Protests can be made immediately an incident occurs or within 10 minutes of the conclusion of the event.
• Jury of Appeal: If the Referee makes a decision that is not agreed with, an appeal to the Jury of Appeal may be made, accompanied by a fee of A$50 cash, which will be forfeited if the appeal is not upheld.
• This appeal must be in writing within 10 minutes of the conclusion of the event or the Referee’s decision, whichever comes first.
• The written appeal must be given to the Administration Manager located in the Official’s Room.
• No other form of protest will be heard. Presentations will be held for 10 minutes.

Presentations

• Immediately after each event, unless there is a protest, the first 3 placegetters must report to the victory dais for presentation of medals.

Invitation Competitors

• Invitations to compete can only be considered in competitions for individuals and teams and then only where space is available.
• Invitation requests can only be considered if the reason for an invitation satisfies one of the criteria in the School Sport Victoria Invitation Policy.
• The level of performance of the individual/team concerned must be able to be verified and be of sufficient standard to have normally qualified him/her for the level of competition.
• Invitation competitors are eligible to receive medals but do not gain points for their school in the schools’ competition.

Dress and Spikes

• Students are expected to compete in appropriate school athletic uniforms (i.e. tracksuit bottoms are not appropriate for track events and jeans are not appropriate for field events).
• Maximum length of spikes is 7mm [track] and 9mm [javelin, high jump and horizontal jumps].
• Only ‘Pyramid’ or ‘Christmas Tree’ only are permitted in spike shoes.
• Players not correctly dressed will not be permitted to compete.

Hydration & Sports Tape

• Hydration: It is recommended that all athletes bring their own water bottles.
• Sports Tape: Sports Tape MUST be supplied by the student/competing team. Strapping for injury prevention as required MUST be performed by the student/competing team.
• NB: The First Aid Responder attending the state finals are NOT permitted to perform strapping.

SSV Privacy Policy

• The Information Privacy Act 2000 requires School Sport Victoria to inform you that, in the conduct of school sport, photographs may be taken of participants and results compiled to record student participation, celebrate student success and achievement and to promote SSV and events conducted by SSV.
• We limit the use and disclosure of any personal information to the purpose of participating in school sport.
• By accepting the invitation to participate in events under the auspices of SSV, you undertake to abide by the SSV Privacy Policy.

Scoring & Trophies

Perpetual Trophy

• A perpetual trophy will be awarded to the school with the highest points total at the Championship and will hold the trophy for a one-year period.
• Points are not awarded if competitors are disqualified, do not finish, or do not marshal.
• Invitation competitors cannot earn points for their school, but they may receive individual awards.

Points Allocation Table