Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)

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The Office of Film and Literature Classification is a statutory censorship and classification body which provides day to day administrative support for the Classification Board which classified films, video 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.

Though the Office of Film and Literature Classification has taken 'censorship' out of its title it is able to censor media by refusing classification and making the media illegal for hire, exhibition and importation to Australia. This has attracted particular controversy in the case of computer and video games as no R Rating exists for them. Games that have been refused classification include Postal and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

The issue of censorship in Australia is generally not seen as controversial, attempts have been made to challenge some religious censorship (i.e. the banning of exhibiting R rated films on Good Friday) and sexual censorship. The police have intervened to enforce these bans.

Contents 1 Members 2 Film and Video Game Ratings 2.1 Previous Video Game Ratings 3 Literature Ratings 4 See also 5 External links

Members

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.

Film and Video Game Ratings

Image:Unbalanced scales.svg

The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page.

As of May 24th, 2005, the Movie Ratings system has been made colour-coded and the ratings system presentation was brought up to date, following changes in the code. However, the previous monochrome classification symbols can still be seen on DVD and video packaging released before the change.

Some films and games are exempt from classification. The distributor can assess this themself, at their own risk, or apply for a certificate of exemption.

Image:OFLC small E.svg Image:Resource0001.png

E (Exempt from Classification) - These films are granted permission to be sold without a proper rating depending on the content of the film. This rating is usually given to documentaries, news and current affairs and exercise shows. Currently there is no predetermined marking for exempt films and computer games [1], although it is advised that films and computer games that are exempt may display “This film /computer game is exempt from classification”.

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.

Image:OFLC small G.svg Image:OFLC large G.svg

G (General) - These films and computer games are for general viewing. However, G does not necessarily designate 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 in impact.

Image:OFLC small PG.svg Image:OFLC large PG.svg

PG (Parental Guidance) - These films and computer games contain material that may confuse or upset younger viewers.

The content is mild in impact.

Image:OFLC small M.svg Image:OFLC large M.svg

M (Mature) - These films and computer games contain material that requires a mature perspective. This was formerly M15+.

The content is moderate in impact.

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.

Image:OFLC small MA15+.svg Image:OFLC large MA15+.svg

MA15+ (Mature Accompanied) – People under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian for the duration of the film - 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 in impact.

Note: Video games which exceed the impact of what the MA15+ rating allows are refused classification (RC). Games refused classification can, of course, be edited and resubmitted by their developers to gain an MA15+ rating.

Image:OFLC small R18+.svg Image:OFLC large R18+.svg

R18+ (Restricted) - People under 18 cannot see these films or buy or rent them.

The content is high in impact.

Image:OFLC small X18+.svg Image:OFLC large X18+.svg

X18+ (Pornographic) - People under 18 cannot see these films or buy or rent them.

This rating applies to pornographic content.

Films rated X18+ are currently legally available for purchase in only the ACT and the Northern Territory.

Refused Classification (RC)

Films which are very high in impact and/or are more sexually explicit than what the R18+ or X18+ ratings allow are Refused Classification by the OFLC. The reasons why a film may be refused classification include:

• Depict, express or otherwise deals 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 offense 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.

Film classification is mandatory, and movies that are refused classification by the OFLC are banned for sale, hire, public exhibition or importation into Australia. It is legal to possess a copy for private exhibition,^{[citation needed]} but if the film contains illegal content (eg. child pornography) then it is also illegal to possess.

Previous Video Game Ratings

These ratings are still shown on some older video games that are still on sale in Australia

Image:OFCL Australia Rating - G.png	G — General : The G classification is for a general audience.
Image:OFCL Australia Rating - G8-.png	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 people under 8 without guidance from parents or guardians. This rating has since been changed to PG.
Image:OFCL Australia Rating - M15-.png	M15+ — Mature: Material classified M15+ is not recommended for people under 15 years of age. However, there are no legal restrictions on access. This rating has since been changed to M to prevent confusion with the stronger MA15+ classification.
Image:OFCL Australia Rating - MA15-.png	MA15+ — Mature Restricted: Material classified MA15+ is considered unsuitable for people under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category. People under the age of 15 are not allowed to purchase or hire unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Literature Ratings

Image:OFCL Australia Lit Rating- U.gif – Unrestricted- All ages admited.

Image:OFCL Australia Lit Rating - UM.gif – Unrestricted – Mature- Not recommended for readers under 16.

Image:OFCL Australia Lit Rating - R1.gif – Restricted Category 1 – Not available to persons under 18 years.

Image:OFCL Australia Lit Rating - R2.gif – Restricted Category 2 – Pornographic in nature; restricted as above.

Any literature that does not fall into any of the above catergories is Refused Classification.

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
• FCO, the Irish censorship rating system.

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