What do the yellow, blue and red cards mean for my child?

• Warning (no card): for a minor or unintentional infringement where no advantage has been gained, an official can ask the competitor to change their behaviour and let them continue straight away.
• Yellow card (stop-start): a minor infringement, such as mounting before the mount line, blocking or a helmet not securely fastened. The competitor stops with an official and resumes only when told.
• Blue card (time penalty): for example drafting or an illegal pass. It is 2 minutes if the bike course is 90 km or less. Two or more blue cards on a bike course under 80 km may lead to disqualification by the Head Referee after the race.
• Red card: a major infringement, such as outside assistance, failing to obey an official, or not completing the entire course. No time penalty is served; the competitor may finish and the Head Referee rules afterwards.
• A competitor may complete the event even after being shown a card, and must confirm their race number and obey the official's instructions when shown one.

Source: AusTriathlon Race Competition Rules, June 2026, rule 11 and Appendix B.