Children from school Years 3 – 6 compete in sections based on the previous year’s results. Section 1 and Section 2 are single gender carnivals involving separate boys and girls events. All other carnivals are mixed gender carnivals where there are no separate events for boys and girls. Events are in the four standard styles of Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle with three ability levels A, B and C offering a greater number of children the chance to compete.

A system of promotion and relegation operates at the conclusion of the carnivals based on the highest and lowest number of points gained. Schools will be notified of their carnival section following receipt of Swimming Nomination Form A.

Carnivals are organised according to the Rules of FINA.