EVENT PERMITS

From 1st January 2023, National Permit Meets will be known as World Rankings Competitions. This is consistent for all Member Federations around the World. World Ranking Competitions are ratified by Athletics Australia and World Athletics and the same conditions apply as mentioned below.

World Athletics and Athletics Australia, as the National Sports Organisation for track and field events in Australia, presides and awards permits for competitions. A World Ranking Competition is sanctioned by Athletics Australia and World Athletics and performances achieved at these Meets can be used for international qualifiers, gain World Athletics ranking points, qualifiers for national competitions, national record applications and performances added to World Athletics top lists. As a Member Association of Athletics Australia, Athletics West can apply to Athletics Australia and World Athletics to deliver World Ranking Competitions. Outside this structure, performances will not be eligible for international qualifiers or national records.

There is a strict requirement to fulfil the conditions under which a World Ranking Competition (previously National Permit Meet) is granted, to ensure the integrity of competition. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Athletics West's obligation is to ensure the competition will be conducted in conformity with World Athletics rules. An appropriate number of officials must be onsite to ensure these rules are upheld
• The competition venue and relevant infrastructure (e.g., throwing cages etc), must comply with World Athletics rules
• Entries must be open to all athletes, however limits to filed sizes and entry standards may be imposed
• Mixed events are not permitted for international qualifiers or national records
• No fewer than three (3) athletes must participate (and provide a bona fide effort) for a performance to be ratified for international qualifiers
• All performances for events up to and including 800m must be electronically timed. Events above 800m may be hand timed, however three (3), stopwatches operated by three qualified officials must record the performance. A minimum of one Level 3 or two Level 2 qualified track officials must be appointed
• In throwing events, an implement check in and ratifications system must be in place.
• Wind gauge in operation for Long Jump and Triple Jump with wind readings recorded and in results

Performances at World Ranking Competitions (previously National Permit Meets) are recognised for:

• National Records (note Oceania Records have additional requirements and any athlete aiming to break an Oceania Record should contact Athletics West at a minimum of three (3) weeks prior to ensure the requirements for Area Records are met
• Qualification for International World Athletics events as per the relevant Athletics Australia selection policies (e.g. World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Olympics, World Under 20 Championships, etc.)
• Accumulate World Ranking Points
• Qualification for the Australian Track & Field Championships
• State Records

As of January 2023, Athletics Australia has a second tier of permits at which athletes can achieve National Entry Standards and performances that can be used for the National Ranking List. The standards for performance ratification are less stringent for national event qualifications, such as the Australian Track & Field Championships, compared to international events, and therefore can be conducted with some leniencies.

The following conditions apply for Athletics Australia Domestic Permits and national qualifications:

• Meets must comply with all requirements for an Australian Athletics permit and with validity only for state/national ranking lists and entry to national championships.
• National records may be accepted in special circumstances where it can be shown that the relevant event with the meet was conducted completely in accordance with AA/WA rules and officiating accordling.
• Member association recognition at MA Discretion.

Performances at Athletics Domestic Permit meets are recognised for:

• Qualification for the Australian Track & Field Championships in line with selection policies.
• State records.
• National records under special circumstances as previously stated.

Athletics West preside over and award State Permits, which allow athletes to qualify for the Australian Championships. The ratification of performances is not as stringent for qualification for national events (e.g. the Australian Track & Field Championships) in comparison to international events, and therefore these can be conducted with some leniencies.

The following conditions apply for State Permits and therefore national qualifying:

• Athletics West's obligation is to ensure the competition will be conducted in conformity with World Athletics rules. An appropriate number of officials must be onsite to ensure these rules are upheld
• The competition venue and relevant infrastructure (e.g., throwing cages etc), must comply with World Athletics rules
• Entries must be open to all athletes, however limits to filed sizes and entry standards may be imposed
• Athletics Australia will not enforce the three (3) athletes per event ruling as it is outlined above for a National Permit Meet. Providing the performance was otherwise achieved under the rules of competition, the performance will be accepted
• The mixed event rule will not be enforced (athletes can achieve national qualifiers in mixed events)
• In throwing events, an implement check in and ratifications system must be in place.

Performances at State Permit Meets are recognised for:

• Qualification for the Australian Track & Field Championships as per the relevant selection policies
• State Records

Local Permit Meets are competitions Athletics West recognise as hosted by an Athletics West affiliated Club/Centre or Meets where an event partnership agreement has been entered into with Athletics West.

Local Permit Meets are not subject to the the requirements of State or National Permit Meets, but are to be conducted in line with any governing rules of competition (e.g. Little Athletics Rules of Competition). 

Venues that are not World Athletics certified facilities are suitable to conduct this level of meet.

Due to the nature of these meets, performances do not count for State or National Records, or National Qualification.

An example of this level of meet is school carnivals, including ACC and School Sport WA meets, or Little Athletics Centre competition.