Is drafting allowed in junior races?

It depends on the event type.

Non-drafting events (rules 3.7 to 3.13):

• Drafting is not allowed. The draft zone is 12 metres behind the front wheel of the bike ahead; a passing rider has 25 seconds to get through it. Breaking the rule may earn a blue card time penalty.
• Passing on the inside (left-hand side) may earn a blue card; blocking may earn a yellow card. Moving safely to the left of the cycle lane at every opportunity avoids a blocking penalty.

Draft-legal events: these rules cover Elite, Under 23, Junior and Youth competitors and AusTriathlon approved teams. The World Triathlon Competition Rules apply, with only traditional plugged drop handlebars, no clip-on bars and no disc wheels. WT Youth is for competitors turning 14 and 15 in the World Triathlon competition year who are endorsed by their state or territory triathlon association to compete in draft-legal triathlon (WT Junior is for those turning 16 to 19).

For age-group juniors in a draft-legal event, wheels must have at least 12 spokes, disc wheels are not permitted, only plugged traditional drop handlebars are allowed and clip-on bars are not permitted.

Source: AusTriathlon Race Competition Rules, June 2026, rules 3.7 to 3.11, 3.14, 3.15 and Appendix D.