Australia Censorship Classification

Overview

Sourced from the Classification Website [CACC-1].

Classification markings are the classification symbols and words that appear on a range of film and computer game products. For example, they appear on DVD and computer games boxes or on associated advertising material such as catalogues, flyers and cinema posters.

Classification markings provide consumers, especially parents, with classification information to help them choose a film to watch or a game to play. There are three main components of a classification marking:

• classification symbol
• classification description
• consumer advice, which is specific to each film and computer game, and which informs consumers about some of the content in a film or computer game.

These elements appear in various combinations on all classified products and most advertising for classified products.

Classification Training

Retrieved from the Classification Website [CACC-2], here are the types of training courses that are offered by the Classification Board:

The Classifications Operations Branch (COB), part of the Attorney General’s Department, provides a content assessment training course which covers general classification training for content under Schedule 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act. The industry accessor courses are run several times a year. Tailored training is also available on request.

The training courses currently offered are:

Core film module training – for participants to learn how to assess film content. New assessors need to be complete this module before attending the Additional Content Assessor, Authorised Television Series Assessor or Authorised Assessor Advertising Scheme (for unclassified films) training modules.  

Core computer game module training – for participants to learn how to assess computer game content. New assessors need to be complete this module before attending the Authorised Assessor Computer Games Module or Authorised Assessor Advertising Scheme (for unclassified for computer games) training modules.

Once relevant core modules are completed, assessors may participate in any of the training modules listed below:

• Additional Content Assessor (ACA) scheme training module - for extra content with a previously classified (or exempt) film. Requires completion of core film module.
• Authorised Television Scheme Assessor (ATSA) scheme training module – for television series films that have at least one full episode shown on television in Australia. Requires completion of core film module.
• Computer Games Authorised Assessor scheme module – for computer games that are likely to be classified G, PG or M. Requires completion of core computer game module.
• Authorised Assessor Advertising (AAA)scheme module – for unclassified films or computer games that you wish to advertise prior to classification.Requires completion of either core film module. or core computer game module, depending on what content is to be assessed.

To find out when the courses are running or to make a booking, you can contact them during office hours at (02) 9289 7100 or email training@classification.gov.au.

Classification Markings

All devices (CDs, DVDs, Blue-rays, Films, Music, computer games, etc, must display classification markings in Australia. Devices that do not have classification markings are considered "unclassified" by the Classification Board and are thus banned in Australia.

Classification markings are the coloured classification symbols and words that represent each of the classifications: G, PG, M, MA 15+, R 18+ and X18+. Electronic copies of the classification marking are available to download from the Classification Board website. Classification Board Website.

Retrieved from the Classification Website [CACC-3], here is the list of classification markings and what they represent on film and computer games.

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Check The Classification (CTC): 
The short advertising message will always appear as the letters CTC. Short advertising message (for print and internet advertising)

Exempt From Classification (E):The indicates that the material is exempted from classification.


General (G):
The content is very mild.



Parental Guidance Recommended  (PG):
The content is mild.


Recommended For Mature Audiences (M):
The content is moderate in impact.


Not Suitable for people under 15 (MA15+):
The content is strong. Persons under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or an adult guardian. 


Restricted to 18 and over (R18+):
High level content.


Restricted to 18 and over (X18+):
This classification applies to films that contain only sexually explicit content.