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Classification policy

In Australia, it is a legal requirement that films, computer games and some publications be classified before sale. The Commonwealth, States and Territories share responsibility for this regulation under the National Classification Scheme and all jurisdictions have legislation.

The Classification Board is an independent statutory body responsible for classification decisions. A single National Classification Code, agreed between the Australian Government and the States and Territories, sets out the principles to be followed in making classification decisions.  General criteria for the various classification categories have also been agreed.  The Classification Review Board, also an independent statutory body, can review original classification decisions in certain circumstances and provide a fresh classification decision.

Consistent with governance principles applying to statutory bodies, the Australian Government Attorney-General provided to the Classification Board and Classification Review Board Statements of Expectation setting out the Australian Government’s expectations for the performance and objectives of each Board. In response, the Classification Board and Classification Review Board provided the Australian Government with Statements of Intent outlining how they will each meet those expectations. The Statements of Intent and Statements of Expectation are reviewed annually. Copies are attached below.

Classification policy, including the criteria applied by the Boards in making their decisions, is jointly agreed by the Australian Government and State and Territory Censorship Ministers. The Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department is responsible for Australian Government Classification policy and supports the Minister for Home Affairs in meetings with State and Territory Censorship Ministers through the Classification Policy Branch.

The Classification Operations Branch, also within the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department provides Secretariat support to both the Classification Board and the Classification Review Board.

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