Australia The Film
Classification Board The Australian state censor has responsibility
for cinema, home video, video games, books and magazines. Appeals
about censorship decisions are heard by the Classification Review Board.
Film & Game Classifications - G: (General Exhibition) These films and
computer games are for general viewing.
- PG: (Parental Guidance) Contains material which some children find
confusing or upsetting, and may require the guidance of parents or
guardians. It is not recommended for viewing or playing by persons under
15 without guidance from parents or guardians. - M: (Recommended
for mature audiences) Contains material that is not recommended for
persons under 15 years of age. - MA15+ (Mature Accompanied) The
content is considered unsuitable for exhibition by persons under the age
of 15. Persons under this age may only legally purchase or exhibit MA15+
rated content under the supervision of an adult guardian.
- R18+ (Restricted) People under 18 may not buy, rent or exhibit
these films - X18+ (Restricted) People under 18 may not buy, rent or
exhibit these films. This rating applies to real sex content only - RC
(Refused Classification)Banned Note that there is no R18+ X18+
available for games so adult games often end up getting banned much to
the annoyance of gamers. Note also that films classified as X18+
(Restricted) are banned from sale or rent in most of Australia. They can
only be sold from Northern Territory and ACT (Canberra). Mail order and
imports are allowed though and possession of X18+ material is legal
Publication Classifications - Unrestricted
- Unrestricted Mature: Not recommended for readers under 15.
- Restricted Category 1: Not available to persons under 18 years.
Softcore
- Restricted Category 2 : Not available to persons under 18 years. Only
to be sold in adults only shops: Hardcore - RC: Refused
Classification. Banned Only publications that would be restricted 1 &
2 need to be submitted for censorship. There is also a scheme that
magazines only need to be submitted once. Subsequent issues inherit the
same rating. However later issues can be 'called in' for reassessment if
anything crops up to alert the censors of changes.
Websites:
Classification Board
Melon Farmers Pages:
|
The axing of Stephen Conroy's other pet project, the controversial mandatory internet blocking scheme, will save the government more than $4
million. 
A new law with jail sentences for filming or distributing humiliating or degrading images of people has come into effect in South
Australia. However people who film an offence for the purpose of assisting police are protected from prosecution. Presumably this covers CCTV. 
