Welcome to the official website of the IPF affiliated Powerlifting Australia. Our goal is to develop and promote high-standard and enjoyable drug-free competition in powerlifting at local, regional, national and international levels. Visit our website for Australian IPF powerlifting news and events.

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What is Powerlifting and PA?

 

The entity now operating as Powerlifting Australia Ltd. was founded in 1971 and has been the leading powerlifting organisation in Australia since. Powerlifting Australia is a member of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), the governing body of powerlifting internationally. The IPF is comprised of member federations from 100+ countries on six continents.

Powerlifting is a sport that was conceived as a pure test of strength. Powerlifting is of relatively modern origin, with the first formal competitions occurring in the mid 1960s. Distinct from weightlifting, a sport made up of two lifts: the Snatch and the Clean-and-Jerk, where the weight is lifted above the head, powerlifting comprises three lifts: the Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift. Powerlifting competitions may be comprised of one, two or all three of the lifting disciplines. Athletes are categorised by sex, age and bodyweight. Each competitor is allowed three attempts at each lift, the best lift in each discipline being added to their total. The lifter with the highest total is the winner. In cases where two or more lifters achieve the same total, the person with the lightest bodyweight wins.

Powerlifting Australia is responsible for sanctioning local and regional events where powerlifters can compete in hopes of qualifying for the national level events. Powerlifting Australia sanctions National Championships in all age groups, giving athletes a chance to see how they fare against competitors across the country. Top competitors are selected by Powerlifting Australia to compete in seven IPF world championships - the World Men's and Women's Powerlifting Championships, World Junior and Sub-Junior Powerlifting Championships, World Master's Powerlifting Championships, the World Bench Press Championships, and World Master's Bench Press Championships.

Powerlifting Australia has 11 Branch Offices, covering all 6 states and 1 territory within the country. Each branch is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of Powerlifting Australia's local and regional competitions. Powerlifting Australia runs as a non-profit organisation, relying on Australian government support and private sponsorship but operates largely on a user-pays membership and a volunteer labour basis. A Board of Directors oversees policy and strategy at a broad level. An Executive Committee, headed by the Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for the operations of the organisation. The Executive Committee acts as the official liaison with the IPF and oversees national competitions and national team selections.

 

Powerlifting Australia National Office:
Mr. Robert Wilks
Mail: GPO Box 2322, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001
Office: Level 6, 167 - 169 Queen Street, Melbourne

The Powerlifting Australia Web Site is maintained by:
Tim Germanchis, Webmaster

Web Design and Layout by: Tim Germanchis

©Copyright 2006 Powerlifting Australia Ltd.