IRC Ratings

IRC ratings provide a handicap system for keelboats and yachts, allowing boats of different designs and performance levels to compete fairly using corrected race times.

Certificates can be re-validated at anytime throughout the rating year but all issued certificates in a rating year will expire on the 31 May.

**NOTE - An end of season discount will apply for the following IRC 2026 applications issued from 1st March 2027 (to expire 31st May 2027).

Step 1) Select your Application Type and Download Measurement Datasheet

Application Type	Datasheet	Under 12m	12m-18m	Over 18m
Revalidation		$38.00	$44.00	$56.00
New Application (endorsed)		$40.00	$46.00	$57.00
New Application (standard)		$25.00	$33.00	$55.00
Amendment		$16.50	$19.00	$30.00
Secondary Revalidation		$19.00	$23.00	$35.00
Secondary New Application		$19.00	$23.00	$35.00
Trial Application		$16.00	$19.00	$30.00
Certificate copy		$34.00

Step 2) Submit your Application

Ensure you have completed your Measurement Datasheet prior to applying. Find your description and application link below:

For annual renewal of a boat's IRC rating. Certificates can be revalidated up to 5 years after the previously issued certificate. Click on the Revalidation logo to start your online revalidation

Please note that revalidation open on the 18th of May with the certificates becoming active on the 1st of June each year.

Revalidation

For boats that haven’t previously held an IRC certificate or whose last IRC certificate was issued more than 5 years earlier. When applying for a New Standard the dispount can be applied.

ENDORSED - requires weighing and measurement by an appointed measurer

STANDARD - can be measured by the owner using standard hull data

New Application

For boats that hold a current and valid IRC certificate and there have been changes made to the originally rated data. If you don't have a valid certificate for the current year and you have made changes to the boat you will need to apply for a Revalidation.

Amendment

For boats that have a current IRC certificate.Can only vary from the primary certificate in respect of, mainsail widths, E, P, headsail dimensions, flying headsail dimensions, single furling headsail allowance, the use of stored power, SPA, STL, SPL, spinnaker pole/bowsprit, whisker pole, number of spinnakers, number of flying headsails, aft rigging, use of moveable ballast, use of variable ballast, internal ballast.

Secondary New/Revalidation

For boats that hold a current and valid IRC certificate. A Trial certificate is used for gaining an indication of how a boat’s rating will change if certain improvements or enhancements are made to the current configuration. Each boat is limited to 6 trial certificates within a rating year. A Trial certificate is not valid for racing.

Trial Application

Order up to 5 certificate copies of other boats. Note each certificate copy ordered is accumulative over the rating year and that price per certificate changes after 10 and then 20. Also no more then 5 copies of the same design boat can be ordered in the same rating year.

Certificate Copy

Other Applications

For designs (including one-offs) that are still on the drawing board, i.e. not built or in-build, with none on the water. Also for where a trial is required by an owner/agent/designer for the design rather than for a specific boat. Please contact the Ratings Office

Email us

Transfer of ownership for a boat that already has a valid IRC certificate for that rating year. IRC certificates are invalidated by change of ownership so transfer of ownership must be declared. Please note that this form is now the same as the form used for a Amendment.

Re-Registration

Further Information

Find some more useful IRC information and resources below:

This listing supplies clubs running IRC events with the TCC of each boat holding a valid certificate. This listing is updated each evening (UK time).

Visit IRC Website

Download or view key IRC documents and IRC rating information.

IRC website resources updated info

Visit IRC Website

Australian Sailing Prescriptions applicable to the IRC Rules. The prescriptions shall be referenced in a Notice of Race in accordance with IRC Rule 11.3

Download

If you require further assistance with IRC Ratings, please contact us at ratings@sailing.org.au.