Age Exemptions

As per competition rules, clubs must apply for an exemption if a perform wishes to compete outside their allocated age group. Age groups play an important role in maintaining fairness, safety, and the integrity of our competitions. While CaliVic is committed to upholding these standards, we also recognise that individual circumstances may require special consideration.

To ensure consistency and fairness in all decisions, Age Exemption requests are assessed against the below: 

Categories / Criteria:

• Disability/Medical Circumstances
  • Supporting documentation from a medical practitioner must be supplied
  • Documentation must be no older than 12 months
  • Medical documentation can be supplied by a doctor or allied health professional (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologist etc.)
  • Documentation must clearly state the disability / medical condition diagnosis and any resulting limitations (please note referral letters are not accepted)
• No age section for performer at the club
  • Club can request for a performer to remain in a younger age section (Competitive Tots to Inters) if they don’t have enough members to fulfil a team for the performers correct age section in that year
  • Club can request for a performer to move up an age section early (Seniors to Masters) if they don’t have enough members to fulfil a team for the performers correct age section in that year
  • A limit of 3 exemptions per club per section can be granted each year for this category.
• Needed to complete minimum number requirements in the requested age section
  • Performer required to remain in younger section so that section can meet minimum performer number requirements
  • Performer required to move up an age section early (Seniors to Masters) so that section can meet minimum performer number requirements
  • A limit of 3 exemptions per club per section can be granted each year for this category.
• Some limited exceptional personal circumstances will be considered
  • Experience levels are not considered a bases for an age exemption
  • Practice day / night availability is not considered a bases for an age exemption
  • Parents not wanting to split siblings is not considered a bases for an age exemption
  • An example of an exceptional personal circumstance that may be considered includes, court ordered custody arrangements. 
  • Any supporting documentation supplied must be no older than 12 months.

Exclusions:

• An Age Exemption is not considered:
  • For performers more than 12 months outside the section age limits of the section they are requesting to join.
  • After Team Grading has closed.
  • For Solos (except for performers aged 26 years and over who are competing in a Seniors team due to their club not having the capacity to fill both a Seniors and Masters section in that competition season as per Solo/Duo/Trio Rule 1.c.i – applies only to Tier 1 and 2 clubs only).
• An Age Exemption is not needed:
  • To compete in older section for Sub Juniors to Inters.
  • For recreational classes.

Please note:

• An Age Exemption applies only for the season in which it was approved in.
• If multiple Age Exemptions are granted within a section, the Grading Committee will be notified.
• An Age Exemption does not double as Special Consideration. If a club identifies that there is also a need for Special Consideration, this application needs to also be made by a Club Administrator, using the correct form.
• All Age Exemption Applications must be completed by Club Administrators only. Performers / parents should speak to their Club Administrator should they wish to apply for an age exemption.

Special Consideration Letter

Should a club have performers with additional support needs they can apply for a Special Consideration Letter. The Special Consideration Letter can apply to CaliExams, Solos and Teams. 

Purpose

The purpose of a special consideration is to ensure that:

• Competition hosts are aware of any access needs for the performer
• Crit comments are appropriate and do not highlight any limitations a performer may have due to their disability.

Please note, being granted a special consideration does not impact the score awarded by the adjudicator and the performer will be adjudicated as per the critique markup relevant to their section.

Specifications:

• Special Consideration applies for performers living with a physical and / or intellectual disability and do not apply for performers with an injury.
• Supporting documentation from a medical practitioner must be supplied
  • Documentation must be no older than 12 months
  • Medical documentation can be supplied by a doctor or allied health professional (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologist etc.)
  • Documentation must clearly state the disability / medical condition diagnosis and any resulting limitations (please note referral letters are not accepted)

Please note:

• All Special Consideration Application Forms must be submitted a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the competition or exam season starting.
• Approved Special Consideration Letters are valid for the current season only and it is the responsibility of the club to reapply each year.
• All Special Consideration Applications must be completed by a Club Administrator only. Performers / parents should speak to their club should they wish to apply for a Special Consideration letter.

More information regarding the 2026 Age Exemption and Special Consideration Process can be found here.

Club Administrators can access the Age Exemption and Special Consideration forms here (admin login required).