Swimmer's Guide to Masters Swimming Australia Rules Adults 18+ 2026/27

Results for men and women are separated and then divided into age groups: 18-24, then 5-year groups (25-29, 30-34 and so on).

Your age is your actual attained age as at 31 December of the year of competition.

To help the meet run smoothly, age groups and sexes may be combined to swim in the same race or set of races, while remaining separate events for results and awards.

At the National Championships the top three in each individual event in each age group receive gold, silver and bronze medals.

Source: Masters Swimming Australia General Rules, June 2026, GR 5.1, 6.2 and 11.17 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MSA-General-Rules-June-2026.pdf) and Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 10.1 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

A relay team's age group is set by adding together the ages in whole years of its four members. Results are separated by sex (men, women and mixed) and then split into these combined-age groups:

• 72-99
• 100-119
• 120-159
• 160-199
• 200-239
• 240-279
• 280-319
• 320-359
• then in forty-year increments

Each swimmer's age is their age on 31 December in the year the competition starts. Clubs are responsible for the accuracy of their members' dates of birth.

At a meet, relay teams are seeded in age groups where possible, starting with the oldest age group in heat one and ending with the youngest in the last heat. The Meet Director may combine age groups in the same heat.

Sources: Masters Swimming Australia General Rules, June 2026, GR 5.2, 5.3 and 8.3.4 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MSA-General-Rules-June-2026.pdf) and Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 10.4.1.1 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

• Each relay team has four swimmers of the same sex, all registered with the same club. A mixed relay has two men and two women, all registered with the same club.
• To swim in a relay you must have entered at least one individual event at the meet.
• The name, gender, age and registration number of each team member and their order must be submitted before the race, by the deadline the Meet Director sets. After that deadline a substitution is allowed only for an evidenced medical emergency and with the prior permission of the Referee or Meet Director.
• You may swim in a relay race only once.
• Relay exchanges start from the starting platform, pool deck or the water. A running start from the pool deck is not allowed.
• Until the swimmer in the water touches the wall to finish their quarter, the feet of the next swimmer must stay in contact with the starting platform.
• A team member who is not next in order must not enter the water during that race until all swimmers have finished.
• A swimmer who has finished must leave the pool as soon as possible without obstructing others; swimmer four stays in the lane until the Referee directs them out.
• Where the Meet Director allows, composite teams (members from more than one club) may swim relays, but their times are not eligible for Top Ten lists or records. At the National Championships such teams are not awarded points.

Sources: Masters Swimming Australia Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 10.4 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf) and General Rules, June 2026, GR 6.1.1, 8.3 and 11.10 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MSA-General-Rules-June-2026.pdf).

• Judges of Stroke stand on each side of the pool. They check that the rules for the stroke in the event are followed, watch turns and finishes to assist the Inspectors of Turns, and report any breach they see to the Referee.
• Inspectors of Turns check the rules after the start, at each turn and at the finish, and report any breach (including stroke rules) within their jurisdiction to the Referee. In relays they also check that the next swimmer is in contact with the starting platform when the previous swimmer touches the wall.
• Video Review Judges and a Video Review Supervisor are used if required.
• The Referee has full control over the technical officials and decides disqualifications. If the Referee personally sees a breach they will disqualify you. If another technical official reports a breach verbally, the Referee may disqualify you; once confirmed, the reporting official completes and signs a disqualification card with the event, lane number and infraction.
• A false start disqualification requires the start to be observed and confirmed by both the Starter and the Referee. If automatic officiating equipment is available the Referee may use it to verify, in which case the Referee and Starter do not both have to agree.
• Results must state the reason for a disqualification with the relevant code.

At the National Championships the minimum is two Referees, four Judges of Stroke and four Inspectors of Turns at each end of the pool. Other meets use the same numbers unless the state body sanctioning the meet approves fewer.

Source: Masters Swimming Australia Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 2 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

Freestyle: you may swim any style (in an individual medley or medley relay, any style other than backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly).

• At least one part of your body must touch the wall at the end of each length and at the finish.
• Some part of your body must break the surface throughout, except that you may be fully submerged during the turn and for no more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By the 15 metre mark your head must have broken the surface.
• Once your head has passed the 5 metre mark before the finish wall, you may be fully submerged.

Backstroke:

• Before the start signal you line up in the water facing the start end, both hands holding the starting grips. Standing in or on the gutter, or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter, is prohibited.
• At the start and after each turn you push off and swim on your back, except when turning. Your normal position on the back may include a roll of the body up to but not including 90 degrees from horizontal. The position of the head is not relevant.
• The same 15 metre and surface rules as freestyle apply.
• At the turn you must touch the wall with some part of your body. The shoulders may turn over the vertical to the breast, after which an immediate continuous single-arm pull or simultaneous double-arm pull may start the turn. You must be back on your back when you leave the wall.
• At the finish you must touch the wall while on your back.

Source: Masters Swimming Australia Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 5 and SW 6 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

• After the start and each turn you may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs, during which you may be submerged. Before the first breaststroke kick a single butterfly kick is permitted. Your head must break the surface before your hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke.
• From the first arm stroke after the start and each turn your body must be on the breast. You may not roll onto your back, except at the turn after the wall touch.
• The stroke cycle is one arm stroke then one leg kick, in that order. Arm movements are simultaneous, with no alternating movement.
• Hands are pushed forward together from the breast, on, under or over the water. Elbows stay under water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and the final stroke at the finish. Hands must not go back beyond the hip line, except in the first stroke after the start and each turn.
• Some part of your head must break the surface during each complete stroke cycle. Leg movements are simultaneous.
• Feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. Alternating movements and downward butterfly kicks are not permitted, apart from the single kick after the start and turns.
• At each turn and the finish, the touch must be made with both hands separated and simultaneously, at, above or below the surface.

Source: Masters Swimming Australia Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 7 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

• From the first arm stroke after the start and each turn, your body must be on the breast. You may not roll onto the back, except at the turn after the wall touch, where you may turn in any manner as long as you are on the breast from the first arm stroke after leaving the wall.
• Both arms must be brought forward together over the water and backward together under the water throughout the race.
• All up-and-down leg movements must be simultaneous. The legs or feet need not be level but must not alternate.
• A breaststroke kick may be used instead of a butterfly kick. In events up to and including 200m, only one breaststroke kick is permitted per arm pull. In events longer than 200m, up to two breaststroke kicks are permitted per arm pull. This does not apply to individual medley events. Masters Swimming Australia notes that World Aquatics rules allow only one breaststroke kick per arm stroke in all events.
• A single breaststroke kick is permitted after the start and each turn before the first arm pull.
• At each turn and the finish, the touch must be made with both hands separated and simultaneously, at, above or below the water surface. Hands cannot be stacked one on top of the other.
• Some part of your body must break the surface throughout the race, except during the turn and for no more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By the 15 metre mark your head must have broken the surface.

Source: Masters Swimming Australia Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 8 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

Each stroke is swum for one quarter of the total race distance.

• Individual medley: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
• Medley relay: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle.
• In the freestyle section of both, your body must be on the breast except when executing a turn. You must return to the breast before any kick or stroke. Leaving the wall on your back is permitted, but no kicking is allowed until you have returned past the vertical to the breast, when kicking (including butterfly kicks) may start.
• Each stroke section must be finished in accordance with the rules for that stroke.
• If you start any leg with the wrong stroke you cannot fix the error by stopping and returning to the end to start again with the correct stroke.

Source: Masters Swimming Australia Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 9 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

Yes, if the meet advertises it. With due notification, the Meet Director may arrange 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle to be swum with two swimmers of the same sex in a lane, with separate timing for each swimmer.

• The male and female events are conducted as separate events.
• The Meet Director may advertise that backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly are not permitted in those freestyle events when swimming two to a lane. Where a form stroke is permitted, the swimmer must have a lane to themselves.
• Each roped lane counts as two lanes and the start is staggered for the two heats of swimmers who will swim together.
• You stay on your nominated side of the lane, must not interfere with or foul the other swimmer, and must finish on your nominated side.

Source: Masters Swimming Australia Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 3.7 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

World Aquatics swimwear rules apply to Masters Swimming Australia competitions.

• Swimwear includes goggles and caps, and up to two caps may be worn.
• In pool competition you wear only one swimsuit, in one or two pieces. Items such as arm bands or leg bands are not regarded as part of a swimsuit.
• For Masters competitions, a suit that complies in shape and material (permeable open mesh textile) can be used even if the model is not on the World Aquatics approved list.
• You must not wear or use any device or swimwear that may aid speed, buoyancy or endurance (for example webbed gloves, flippers, fins or adhesive substances).
• Tape on one or two fingers or toes is allowed if needed to treat or protect an injury.

Modified or alternative swimsuits: swimsuits may be modified, or alternatives worn, for individual needs including modesty, religious or cultural purposes, gender identity or physical disability, provided the Referee approves them before your first event at that competition. Such swimwear still qualifies for a National record or National Top Ten. For World Aquatics Masters World Records and World Masters Top Ten, a World Aquatics approved swimsuit is required.

Sources: Masters Swimming Australia General Rules, June 2026, GR 16 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MSA-General-Rules-June-2026.pdf) and Swimming Rules, June 2026, SW 14 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MSA-Swimming-Rules-inc-Multi-Class-Rules-June-2026-1.pdf).

Protests are possible if the rules for the conduct of the competition are not observed, if other conditions endanger the competition or swimmers, or against the decisions of the Referee. No protests are allowed against decisions of fact.

Unless the Meet Referee decides it is a matter of correcting a simple error, protests about irregularities must be in writing on Protest Form PR1:

• before the meet: sent to the Meet Referee
• during the meet: sent to the Meet Referee, who follows the Protest Procedures (PR 2)
• lodged within 30 minutes of the results being posted for the event (the time of posting must be written on the result sheet)
• with a deposit (if any) at the discretion of the meet organisers
• if exceptional circumstances arise after the meet: sent to the Branch Executive within 48 hours of the official results becoming available

Source: Masters Swimming Australia General Rules, June 2026, GR 6.15 (https://mastersswimming.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MSA-General-Rules-June-2026.pdf).