Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)
Encyclopedia : O : OF : OFF : Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)
The Office of Film and Literature Classification is a statutory classification body which provides day to day administrative support for the Classification Board which classified films, computer games and publications in Australia, and the Classification Review Board which reviews films, computer games and publications when a valid application has been made.
The Classification Board and the Classification Review Board are established by the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth). This Act also contains the National Classification Code.
The current members of the Classification Board are: Des Clark (director), Paul Hunt (deputy director), Wendy Banfield (senior classifier), Marie-Louise Carroll (senior classifier), Jeremy Fenton, Alexandra Greene, Robert Sanderson, Rodney Smith and Lynn Townsend.
The current members of the Classification Review Board are: Maureen Shelley (convenor), Trevor Griffin (deputy convenor), Rob Shilkin, Kathryn Smith, Gillian Groom and Anthony Hetrih.
Literature Ratings
– Unrestricted
– Unrestricted – Mature
– Restricted Category 1 – Not available to persons under 18 years
– Restricted Category 2 – Pornographic in nature; restricted as above.Film and Video Game Ratings
This is about the ratings for films and video games. Click here [link] to see the Television Ratings in Australia.
G (General) – These films and computer games are for general viewing. However, G does not conclusively mean a children’s film or game because many of these productions contain content that would be of no interest to children.
The content is very mild.
PG (Parental Guidance) – These films and computer games contain material that a parent might need to explain to younger children.
The content is mild.
M (Mature) – These films and computer games contain material that requires a mature perspective.
The content is moderate.
Note that the classifications above this point are advisory in nature only -- they are not legally binding. By contrast, the classifications below are legally restricted -- i.e., it is illegal to sell or exhibit materials so classified to a person younger than the respective age limit.
MA15+ (Mature Accompanied & Restricted) – People under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian for the duration of the film in the cinema. Parental permission to see an MA15+ film is not sufficient. People under 15 are not permitted to hire or buy films or computer games classified MA15+.
The content is strong.
Ratings that only apply to Films, not Video Games
Video Games which are more violent and/or sexually explicit than what the MA15+ rating allows are not allowed for sale in Australia and are Refused Classification by the OFLC. Games refused classification can be censored and resubmitted by their developers to gain an MA15+ rating, as was the case with Rockstar Games and Grand Theft Auto III.
R18+ (Restricted) – People under 18 cannot see these films in the cinema or buy or hire them. This classification applies only to films.
High impact content.
X18+ (Pornographic) – People under 18 cannot buy or hire these videos and DVDs.
This classification applies to films that contain only sexually explicit (Pornographic) content.
Films rated X are currently only legally available for purchase in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory -- however, they are widely available in sex shops in other states where their sale is illegal, and law enforcement in other states has made minimal effort to stop this.
Other Classifications
Films that are Refused Classification (RC)
Films which are more violent and/or sexually explicit than what the X rating allows are not allowed for sale in Australia and are Refused Classification by the OFLC. The reasons why a film may be refused classification include:
- Depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified.
- Depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult a minor who is, or who appears to be, under 16 (whether or not engaged in sexual activity).
- Promote, incite or instruct in matters of crime or violence.
The content varies depending on the show / film. Any film or computer game which is to be rated E must not exceed the PG rating.
In 2005, the Movie Ratings system was colour-coded and the ratings system presentation was brought up to date, following changes in the code.
Previous Video Game Ratings
These ratings are still shown on some older video games that are still on sale in Australia 
| G — General : The G classification is for a general audience. |
| G8+ — General for children over 8 years of age: Material classified G8+ may contain material which some children find confusing or upsetting, and may require the guidance of parents or guardians. It is not recommended for viewing by persons under 8 without guidance from parents or guardians. |
| M15+ — Mature: Material classified M15+ is not recommended for persons under 15 years of age. There are no legal restrictions on access. |
| MA15+ — Mature Restricted: Material classified MA15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category. If your children are under 15 they cannot buy or hire an MA15+ computer game unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. |
See also
- Censorship in Australia
- CERO, the Japanese computer and video game rating system
- ESRB, the United States and Canadian computer and video game rating system
- ELSPA, the former British computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI ratings.
- MPAA film rating system, the United States film rating system
- PEGI, the European computer and video game rating system
- USK, the German computer and video game rating system
- OFLC, the New Zealand media rating system
External links
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