Volunteer National Technical 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 Technical 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 first hand 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.
Applications are open for Technical Classifiers only. Expressions of Interest for Medical Classifiers can be sent to classification@swimming.org.au
About you:
What you will bring to the role:
• Technical Classifiers should possess recognised expertise in swimming through a relevant academic qualification (e.g. sport science, human movement, biomechanics or equivalent) and/or significant coaching or technical experience in swimming or Para swimming, supported by demonstrated knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and the technical demands of the sport. Swimming Australia will determine whether an applicant’s qualifications and experience meet the required standard. 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:
• Delivered by approved Swimming Australia Classification Educators.
• Online independent education modules.
• Face-to-face workshop planned for December 2026 (exact date/location TBA).
• Upon successful completion of the program, individuals will be awarded National Trainee Classifier status in Para-swimming.
To Apply
If you are passionate about inclusion in sport and would like to play a vital role in supporting the future of Para-swimming in Australia, we’d love to hear from you!
Applications must include a resume, cover letter and respond to the screening questions to be considered.
This includes the completion of the following online courses with certificates provided as part of your application. Applicants will be required to register for a Sport Integrity Australia account to access the online courses via this platform.
1. Paralympics Australia ‘Introduction to Classification’ – https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/login/index.php#
2. IPC ‘Classification Fundamentals’ (no certificate required as not provided by IPC) – https://www.paralympic.org/classification-education
3. Sport Integrity Australia Courses – https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/login/index.php#
- Decision Making in Sport
- Anti-Doping Fundamentals
- Safeguarding for Children and Young People
Applications will close at 5pm Sunday 30th August 2026.
At Swimming Australia, we are an equal opportunity employer that celebrates and supports an inclusive and diverse workforce that represents our vast swimming community. We embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation.
We are also committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people through our safeguarding children practices. Candidates should be aware this includes a number of screening processes during the recruitment and selection process to ensure we uphold this commitment. All employees at Swimming Australia are required to hold a valid employee Working with Children and a satisfactory criminal history check.
