Benjamin James Austin, OAM[1] (born 7 November 1980) is an Australian Elite Athlete with a Disability (EAD) swimmer.

Austin was born on 7 November 1980[2] in the New South Wales town of Wellington.

When he was a few weeks old, doctors amputated his left arm above the elbow due to birth-related complications.

[2] While he is primarily known for being a Paralympic swimmer, he also competed in abled bodied swimming.

[3][7] He set two world records at the 2004 Paralympic Games in the 100 m freestyle and 100 m butterfly events.

[3] Austin became a pioneer of Australian swimming and he did this by bridging the gap of respect, recognition and equality to the Paralympic swimming movement in Australia, through his inspiring achievements and growing public profile.