When are wetsuits allowed or compulsory for juniors?

For age-group competition (which includes the Under 19 category), outside World Qualifying races, a wetsuit is forbidden at a water temperature of 24.6 C and above and mandatory at 15.9 C and below, for all distances.

WT Junior and WT Youth (draft-legal pathway) competitors fall under a separate rule: for swims up to 1500 m a wetsuit is forbidden at 20.0 C and above, and for swims of 1501 m and longer at 22.0 C and above. It is mandatory at 15.9 C and below.

Other wetsuit rules:

• Water temperature is read 24 hours before the start and 1 hour before the start, and a wetsuit ruling is then advised.
• The Technical Delegate may change the wetsuit temperatures for safety, and the swim can be shortened or cancelled.
• A wetsuit cannot exceed 5 mm thickness anywhere, must fit tightly, must not cover hands or feet, and (when mandatory) must cover at least the torso. Socks are allowed only when wetsuits are mandatory.

Source: AusTriathlon Race Competition Rules, June 2026, rules 2.1, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8 and Appendix A.