Sport Inclusion NSW & ACT
Understanding eligibility for inclusive sport
Eligibility is the first step for athletes with intellectual impairment to compete in state, national, or international events. Here is what NSW and ACT athletes need to know and how Sport Inclusion NSW & ACT can help.
Why eligibility matters
To compete in events for athletes with intellectual impairment, eligibility criteria must be met to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of sporting competition.
Sport Inclusion Australia is the national organisation responsible for processing eligibility applications for athletes with intellectual impairment, which includes intellectual disability and autism. Sport Inclusion NSW & ACT is the state chapter, and we help NSW and ACT athletes navigate the process and connect to state pathways.
Eligibility is not required to participate in club or social sport. It becomes necessary for multi-class school sport, and for many national and international competition pathways where eligibility or classification is part of the entry criteria.
Who runs eligibility
Virtus
International Federation of Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment. Sets global eligibility standards used across Australia and internationally.
Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA)
Australia's national body. Processes all eligibility applications for Australian athletes and submits international-level applications to Virtus for endorsement.
Sport Inclusion NSW & ACT
Your state chapter. We help NSW and ACT athletes understand and navigate the process, connect them to local pathways, and support state competition selection after eligibility is confirmed.
Which application do you need?
Eligibility groups
There are three eligibility groups for athletes with intellectual impairment. Each has specific requirements for the type of impairment and the documentation you need to provide.
II-1 — Intellectual Disability
Requirements
- Full-scale IQ score of 75 or lower
- Deficit in adaptive behaviour
- Onset of intellectual disability before age 22
Documentation required
- Wechsler (WAIS/WISC) or Stanford-Binet IQ Scores
- Adaptive Behaviour Assessment report and summary of scores (Vineland, ABAS, or AAMR)
- Evidence of IQ scores or diagnosis before age 22
Note: For Virtus International II-1 eligibility, IQ testing must have been completed within the last 5 years.
Application forms (hosted by SIA)
- II-1 School Sport form and guidance notes
- II-1 National form and guidance notes
- II-1 International form and guidance notes
Contact SI-NSW if you need help understanding which form applies to your situation.
II-2 — Intellectual Disability with Significant Additional Impairment
For athletes with both an intellectual disability and a recognised additional condition, most commonly Down syndrome.
Requirements — athletes with Down syndrome
- A formal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 or Translocation Down syndrome
- No symptomatic Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI) — this is a safety requirement
Requirements — intellectual disability with additional impairment
- Meet II-1 eligibility criteria first
- Meet the FAST (Functional Assessment Screening Tool) test requirements
Documentation required
- Genetic testing showing formal Down syndrome diagnosis and type, or physician statement (blood test)
- AAI status signed by a physician, plus copy of AAI exam results if available
- For non-Down syndrome II-2: satisfactory completion of FAST screening plus medical evidence of additional impairments and performance history in your chosen sport
Application forms (hosted by SIA)
II-3 — Autism
Requirements
- A formal diagnosis of Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or Asperger's syndrome
Documentation required
- Formal diagnosis carried out by a qualified professional using accepted diagnostic techniques such as ADOS, ASRS, ADR, CARS, GARS, AAA, DISCO, or RIMLAND
- In some cases where these specific tools have not been used but comprehensive evidence has been gathered by a multi-disciplinary team and mapped against ICD-11 or DSM-5 frameworks, this may be acceptable at the discretion of the eligibility panel
Application forms (hosted by SIA)
How the application process works
Identify your eligibility group
Review the requirements for II-1, II-2, and II-3 above. Confirm which group applies. Download the corresponding application form from SIA's website using the links above.
Gather required documents
You need to supply evidence that you meet the eligibility requirements. This typically includes psychology reports, blood tests, and confirmed diagnosis reports. Refer to the guidance notes for your specific application to identify exactly what is required.
Submit your application
Complete the application form. Attach all necessary evidence and obtain all necessary signatures. Include one passport-style photo as a .jpeg file. Save your application and supporting documents as a single PDF file. Submit via email to eligibility@siasport.org.
School and national review
SIA reviews your application to ensure you have supplied sufficient evidence. They may contact you if additional information is required. If your application is approved, you will receive an invoice for payment, and once paid you receive a registration card and payment receipt.
International review (if applicable)
For international applications, SIA reviews and then submits to their National Eligibility Officer (NEO). If approved, your application is submitted to Virtus once payment is made. International review may take several months.
Confirmation and next steps
If approved you receive your Athlete Registration Card, are added to the relevant Athlete Masterlist, and in some cases your details are shared with the relevant sport for classification. Keep your card for eligibility checks at competitions. Sport Inclusion NSW & ACT can help you explore state pathways at this point.
Important: Applications can take several weeks and, in some cases (II-2 FAST and international applications), several months to process. If you have an event coming up, submit your application at least three months in advance.
What comes next in NSW and ACT
Once your eligibility is confirmed, Sport Inclusion NSW & ACT can help you find and access the right competition pathway in NSW or the ACT.
For most athletes, that starts at state-level competition. The NSW Inclusion State Championships run annually in sports including tenpin bowling, futsal, and touch football, with pathways feeding into national championships and, for eligible athletes, international selection.
At the community level, our directory of inclusive sport programs across NSW and ACT lets you find weekly training and social competitions in every sport. Directory listings are filterable by sport, region, and disability focus.
If you are unsure how your eligibility fits with a specific NSW competition pathway, or need help finding a suitable club, contact us. This is exactly what our state office is here to help with.
Renewing your athlete registration
Eligible athletes must maintain a valid Athlete Registration Card to compete. Cards show an expiry date, and renewal is a straightforward process managed by Sport Inclusion Australia.
Renew via Sport Inclusion AustraliaAthlete Masterlists
Sport Inclusion Australia maintains public lists of all currently eligible and registered athletes, organised by eligibility group. Sports use these lists to verify eligibility for competition entry.
If your name is not on the list, it may be because your membership has expired or you have chosen not to have your details included. Contact SIA directly to check your current status.
Common questions
Need help understanding eligibility in NSW or ACT?
Sport Inclusion NSW & ACT is here to help. Whether you are working out which application applies, gathering documentation, or wondering what happens next once your eligibility is confirmed, contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Get in touch