At what water temperature are wetsuits forbidden or mandatory?

Most age-group races (all age categories, other than World Qualifying races):

• Wetsuits forbidden at 24.6 C and above.
• Wetsuits mandatory at 15.9 C and below.

World Qualifying races only:

• Age groups from the youngest to 55-59: swims up to 1500 m, forbidden at 22.0 C and above; swims of 1501 m and longer, forbidden at 24.6 C and above. Mandatory at 15.9 C and below.
• Age groups 60-64 and older: all distances, forbidden at 24.6 C and above, mandatory at 15.9 C and below.

Water temperature is read 24 hours before the start (interim) and 1 hour before the start (final), and a wetsuit ruling is then advised. Only one reading is needed if the temperature is known to vary negligibly and is not near a threshold. The Technical Delegate, after consulting the Event Medical Director or Event Organiser, may change the wetsuit temperatures for safety. The rules also include a table for shortening or cancelling the swim based on an adjusted water temperature (adjusted down when the water is under 22 C and the air under 15 C).

Source: AusTriathlon Race Competition Rules, June 2026, rules 2.5 and 2.6.