This article details the qualifying phase for Powerlifting at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. The competition at these Games will comprise a total of 180 athletes coming from their respective NPCs; each has been allowed to enter a maximum of 16 (eight for men, eight for women, and in either case, one per division). 140 will be awarded places based on world rankings in 2016, while 40 are made available to NPCs through a Bipartite Commission Invitation.
The top 8 men and top 6 women from the world rankings in each division earn a quota aplace, always ensuring that the NPC is subjected to a limit of 1 lifter per division. If an NPC contains more than a single male athlete ranked in the top 8, or a single female in the top 6 of the world ranking list, the NPC can decide which of their athletes obtain the quota places