Get ready for the ultimate showdown at the Australian Powerlifting Aliance Classic Open Nationals 2026 in RSEA Park Moorabbin - Home of the St Kida Football Club!

This is one of the most anticipated events on the Australian Powerlifting Alliance calendar, where the nation's strongest athletes come together to compete for the top spot. Watch as the lifters push their limits, setting new records and showcasing unmatched strength, brilliance, and determination. Whether you're a seasoned powerlifting fan or new to the sport, the APA Open Nationals promises an electrifying atmosphere, intense competition, and unforgettable moments. Don't miss out on witnessing the very best in Australian powerlifting!

Be sure to stick around until Sunday night for the banquet and awards ceremony! More information coming soon.

This is the only qualifying event for the 2026 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships and can also be used as a qualifier for the 2026 IPF World Junior and Masters Championships.

Entry Criteria

All applicants to the Australian Powerlifting Alliance (APA) Classic Open Nationals event must meet the following entry criteria:

1. Be a current member of the APA, 

2. Not be currently serving an Anti-Doping rule violation sanction,

3. Compete in the qualification window and meet the qualifying criteria detailed below,

4. Not be serving a sanction or be under investigation for a breach of IPF, APA constitution, policies or bylaws,

5. Have completed at least one APA-approved volunteer session within the 12 months prior to application,

6. Have no outstanding monies owed to the APA, including but not limited to membership fees, event entry fees, or international competition expenses, and

7. Not be a member of another powerlifting federation.

Age requirements: Open Championships permit lifters from 1 January in the calendar year he/she reaches 19 years and upwards. Masters 3 & 4 are ineligible for the Open Class.

Anti-Doping Education Requirement
All national-level athletes are required to complete the Sport Integrity Australia Anti-Doping Fundamentals course and the annual update course each year. The 2026 Annual Update will be available from mid-December and must be completed by Saturday, 10 January 2026.

Failure to meet this deadline will result in immediate withdrawal from the competition, with the position offered to the next eligible athlete on the waitlist. No extensions will be granted.

Qualification & Entry Process

Ranking season

The 2026 Open Ranking Season includes all eligible results from the 2025 Open National Championships up to and including the Sunday 23rd November 2025. 

• Results from any sanctioned APA or IPF competition during this period can be used for ranking.

• Each Open weight class will have up to twelve (12) ranked positions. Rankings are based on the highest total achieved during the season.

• In the event of a tie in total, the athlete with the lower bodyweight will be ranked higher. If bodyweight is also identical, the athlete who achieved the total first will be ranked higher.

• Athletes are only ranked in the weight class they competed in, but may rank in multiple weight classes if they have competed in more than one.

• Only athletes who achieve the qualifying total (QT) for a given weight class will appear on the final Top 12 leaderboard.

• Rankings can be accessed here.

• Refer to page 3 of this document [hyperlink] for qualifying totals.
  

First round offers

The top 12 ranked athletes in each weight class will receive a First Round invitation to compete at the 2026 Open Nationals.

• Invitations will be issued on the Monday 24th of November and must be accepted within one week, by the following Monday at 8:55am AEST.

• Athletes ranked in multiple weight classes must nominate one class when accepting their invitation.

Second round offers

Athletes who are not ranked in the Top 12 but have achieved the QT in their weight class will be eligible to apply for Second Round consideration.

• Eligible athletes will receive an email with a link to submit their expression of interest between 9:00am AEST on the Monday 24th Novemebr and 11:55pm AEST on the Friday 28th November.

• After the First Round deadline passes, any unaccepted spots will be offered to the next highest-ranked eligible athletes who submitted an expression of interest.

• There will be a maximum of 12 spots per weight class.

• Second Round offers will be issued on the Monday 1st December and must be accepted within one week.

• If any spots remain unaccepted or are vacated due to athlete withdrawal, they will be offered to eligible athletes on the waitlist. The waitlist will remain open and offers may be made until 11:55pm on Thursday 15th of January 2026.

To be eligible for Second Round consideration, athletes must:

• Have competed in the relevant weight class,

• Have achieved the QT, and

• Have submitted an expression of interest within the specified timeframe.

Weight class changes

Athletes may request to move up a weight class between 9:00am AEST on the Monday 24th November and 11:55pm AEST on the Friday 28th November.

• If approved, the athlete’s nominated total will be added to the ranking list of the new class and may be considered for a Second Round offer, subject to availability.

• The athlete must meet the QT for the new weight class.

NOTE: If an athlete does not submit either:

• An expression of interest for Second Round consideration, or

• A request to move up a weight class 

by 11:59pm AEST on Friday 28th November, they will not be eligible for a Second Round offer. No exceptions will be granted to this deadline.

NOTE:
If you have achieved the QT you will receive an email at the same time as first round offers with a link. If you do not receive this email you must contact us at championships@powerliftingalliance.org.au before the11:59pm AEST Friday 28th November. 

Competition Details

Meet Director: Michael Porsovigan - please contact APA directly for any enquiries, championships@powerliftingalliance.org.au

Maximum entrants: 192