Australian Classification Board facts for kids

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Classification Board
Agency overview

Formed	1970; 55 years ago (1970) (as Australian Classification Board)
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Minister responsible	Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications
Parent agency	Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (current parent agency), Department of Communications and the Arts (until 2020), OFLC (until 2006), Australian Classification Review Board (sister agency)

The Australian Classification Board (ACB or CB) is an Australian government group. It is in charge of rating films, video games, and books. This helps people know what content is suitable for different ages. The ACB started in 1970. It works under a law called the Commonwealth Classification Act 1995.

The ACB has a director, a deputy director, and other members. These members are chosen by the government. They serve for three or four years. The ACB is located in Sydney.

The ACB does not directly tell creators to change their content. But it can refuse to classify something. If content is not classified, it cannot be sold or shown in Australia. This means it is effectively banned.

The classification system has different levels. Some levels are "restricted." This means people under a certain age cannot buy or watch the content. In 2005, video games got the same ratings as films. This helped parents understand what games were okay for their kids. For a long time, video games did not have an R 18+ rating. This changed on January 1, 2013.

Some films do not need a rating. For example, educational films might be exempt. Film festivals can also ask for special permission. This allows them to show unclassified films. But if a film is too strong, it might not get permission. The ACB can also ask festivals to have age limits for entry.

How the ACB Started
What the Board Does
Film and Video Game Ratings
Book and Magazine Ratings
Ideas for New Ratings
- A New Rating for Young Teens
- New Ratings for Books
See Also

How the ACB Started

The Australian Classification Board began in 1970. Its first job was to rate films. Later, in 1994, it also started rating video games. In the early days, starting in 1971, there were four main ratings:

G for "general audiences"
PG for "parental guidance suggested for under 15"
M for "suggested for 13 and over" (this later became M 15+)
R for "restricted exhibition" (this later became R 18+)

The MA 15+ rating was added in 1993. This rating was for content that was too strong for 'M'. But it was not strong enough to be restricted to only adults.

In 2005, the group that oversaw the ACB was closed. The ACB then moved under the Attorney-General's Department. New colour-coded rating symbols were introduced in May 2005.

In 2014, the ACB made changes for online games. They allowed a new system for ratings. This helps game makers get ratings more easily for digital games.

What the Board Does

The board's main job is to make decisions. Members talk about their views clearly. They also listen to others' ideas. Board members see many types of content. Some of it can be difficult or upsetting.

Every film and computer game must be rated. This must happen before it can be sold or shown. Some books also need ratings. If something is not rated, it is usually banned. It is against the law to sell or show unrated films or games.

Some films are exempt from classification. These include news, business, or educational films. But if they would be rated M or higher, they need a rating.

There are legal age limits for MA 15+ and R 18+ ratings. The X 18+ rating is for very adult content. The other ratings (G, PG, M) are just suggestions. They do not have legal age limits. RC (Refused Classification) material is banned. It cannot be sold or given to anyone.

The ACB also decides what "consumer advice" to give. This advice explains why content got a certain rating. It helps people choose what to watch or play. For films, advice covers themes, violence, and language. This advice appears on products and in ads. In 2020, the ACB added "in-game purchases" advice for video games.

The ACB also rates material for the police and other government groups. But the board does not rate live shows, music CDs, or TV shows. TV is rated by a different group. Online streaming services like Netflix usually follow these ratings too. In 2019, Netflix was allowed to rate its own content.

Film and Video Game Ratings

Ratings for Everyone

These ratings are "unrestricted." This means anyone can watch or play them. But they might suggest "parental advisory" for younger viewers.

Classification	What it Means
Exempt (E)	This is for special types of material. Examples include educational videos or art shows. The content must not be stronger than a PG rating. Distributors can sometimes decide this themselves. They should say "This film/computer game is exempt from classification."
General (G)	This content is suitable for all ages. It does not mean it is only for children. The content is very mild. Themes should have very little threat. Violence should be very mild. Language should be very mild and rare.
Parental Guidance (PG)	This content is not suggested for kids under 15 without a parent's help. Younger viewers might find some parts confusing or upsetting. The content is mild. Themes should have very little threat. Violence should be mild and rare. Language should be mild and rare.
Mature (M)	This content is suggested for people aged 15 and older. But there are no legal age limits. Younger people can still watch it. The content might need a mature view. It is moderate in impact. Themes might have some threat. Violence can be moderate. Language can be used. Strong language should be rare.

Restricted Ratings

These ratings have legal rules. It is against the law to sell or show this content to anyone younger than the age shown.

Classification	What it Means
Mature Accompanied (MA 15+)	This content is not suitable for people under 15. People under 15 can only watch it with a parent or adult guardian. Stores might ask for ID to prove your age. The content is strong. Violence can be realistic and medium. Strong violence should be rare. Frightening scenes should not upset an adult. Strong language can be used. Themes can be strong.
Restricted (R 18+)	This content is not suitable for people under 18. People under 18 cannot legally buy, rent, or watch it. Stores will ask for ID. Some R 18+ content might upset some adults. The content is high in impact. This is the highest rating for video games. Violence can be realistic and clear. But it should not be too much or cruel. Themes can be very strong. Language has almost no limits.

Other Labels

Classification	What it Means
Refused Classification (RC)	This content is considered too offensive. It is legally banned from being sold or shown in Australia. It is usually illegal to sell or show RC material. The content is very high in impact. Films or games that are too strong for X 18+ or R 18+ ratings get RC. This includes content that shows or promotes crime or violence in detail. It also includes very strong or cruel violence.
Check the Classification (CTC)	This label is for ads of films or games that are not yet rated. It means the ad has been approved. It usually says, "This film has advertising approval. Check the classification closer to the released date." All ads for unrated films or games must show the CTC message. Once the content gets a rating, that rating replaces the CTC label on all ads.

Book and Magazine Ratings

Books and magazines need ratings if they show violence that is not suitable for kids. Or if it might offend adults if sold without limits.

Classification	What it Means
Unrestricted Unrestricted with the consumer advice M (Mature)	These books and magazines have no legal limits. Anyone can buy them. But some content might not be suitable for readers under 15.
Category 1 Restricted (CAT 1)	These books are not for people under 18. They must be sold in a sealed wrapper. Their covers must be okay for public display.
Category 2 Restricted (CAT 2)	Like Category 1, these are not for people under 18. They cannot be shown in public places.
Refused Classification (RC)	RC books and magazines are banned. They cannot be sold or shown anywhere in Australia.

The "restricted" books are for adults. They cannot be sold to people under 18. They might have content that some adults find offensive. Rules for these books can be different in various states.

Ideas for New Ratings

A New Rating for Young Teens

In 2020, the board suggested a new rating. It would be like a "PG-13" rating. This rating would be for young teens, between PG and M. Many films today are too strong for PG but not quite M. These films are often for younger teens.

The new rating would be for "mild+" impact content. This means it is stronger than mild (PG) but does not need a mature view (M). It could be for films with more action or fantasy violence. If this rating is added, the unrestricted ratings would be:

G – General (very mild impact)
PG – Parental guidance (mild impact)
Young person (mild+ impact)
M – Mature (moderate impact)

This would mean only the legal ratings (MA 15+, R 18+, X 18+) would have age numbers. The ACB is not planning to re-rate old films. They would only use the new rating for future content. They also plan to use a name like "YP" for "young person" or "T" for "teenager."

New Ratings for Books

The ACB thinks the current book ratings are old. They want to make them like the film and game ratings. They have suggested these new ratings for books:

Unrestricted books would become M
Category 1 Restricted books would become R 18+
Category 2 Restricted books would become X 18+