Volunteer National Classifier

Swimming is Australia’s most successful Olympic and Paralympic sport and there has never been a more exciting time to join our team. Swimming is unique a life skill, a sport, and a recreation. Our vision is to Inspire Australia through Swimming – from grassroots participation through to elite athletes representing Australia on the world stage.

Para-sport exists so that athletes with disabilities have equal opportunities to compete and succeed. Classification ensures fair competition by grouping athletes with similar impairments into sport-specific classes.

In swimming, classifiers assess athletes to determine how their impairment influences the activities required in the sport. This may involve physical and technical assessments, sport-specific skills testing, and observation. Through this process, athletes learn whether they are eligible to compete in Para-swimming and who they will compete against.

We are seeking passionate volunteers to join our National Classifier workforce. This unique role provides you with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by ensuring that Para-swimmers across Australia have access to fair and equitable competition pathways.

About the role:

Becoming a classifier is more than just an official role, it is a chance to directly change lives. Classifiers are often among the first people to welcome an athlete into the Para-swimming community, helping them begin their journey on a fair and equal footing.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Make a lasting impact by opening doors for athletes with disabilities to compete and succeed.
• Witness inspiring moments firsthand as swimmers progress from community events to national and even Paralympic level.
• Give back to sport in a way that shapes the future of Para-swimming in Australia.
• Join a passionate network of professionals and volunteers committed to inclusion, fairness, and athlete development.

Reporting to the Classification Lead, the principal duties of this role include:

• Provide sport-specific assessments to determine the competition class for athletes with a disability.
• Work closely with Swimming Australia (SA), Paralympics Australia (PA), and the wider classification network to deliver high-quality classification services.
• Assist the SA Classification Lead in strengthening and developing Swimming Australia’s physical impairment classification system.
• Support the growth and accessibility of Para-swimming pathways across the country.

About you:
What you will bring to the role:

• Medical Classifiers: Relevant tertiary qualification in medicine, physiotherapy, or similar. Current registration as a medical professional (e.g., medical doctor or physiotherapist) with a minimum of five years post-graduation.
• Technical Classifiers: Relevant qualification in sport science, human movement, science, or equivalent sport-specific qualification; and/or swimming expertise including formal study in swimming, a current Australian Swim Coach Licence (Development Coach Accreditation), or other equivalent swimming experience (minimum five years). Note: Holding only a coaching qualification or being a former athlete is not sufficient.
• Understanding of Paralympic sport, particularly Para-swimming (desirable).
• Knowledge of the Paralympic classification process and Para-swimming system (desirable).
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive documentation with appropriate discretion
• Strong communication (both verbal and written), negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel as required, often outside normal business hours, with most classification opportunities taking place on weekends.
• Able to create a safe, supportive environment that fosters ongoing mutual respect and trust

Successful Applicants

Successful applicants will be invited to complete National Physical Impairment Classification Training, with all costs – including travel, accommodation, meals, and course fees fully covered.

Training will include:    

• Online Education and a face-to-face workshop (approx. two days).
• Delivered by approved Swimming Australia Classification Educators.
• Online independent education modules available from early December 2025.
• Face-to-face workshop planned for early 2026 at the AIS in Canberra (exact date TBA).
• Upon successful completion of the program, individuals will be awarded National Trainee Classifier status in Para-swimming.