Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2008C00129:body:0:p1
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Guidelines for the Classification of Publications 2005

as amended

made under section 12 of the

Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games)
Act 1995

This compilation was prepared on 19 March 2008
taking into account amendments up to Guidelines for the Classification of Publications Amendment 2008 (No. 1)

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney‑General's Department, Canberra

GUIDELINES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLICATIONS 2005

Introduction

Certain publications, whether they are locally made or come from overseas, have to be classified before they can be sold, distributed or advertised in Australia.

Classification is undertaken by the Classification Board (the Board), which is located in Sydney.

The Classification Board (the Board) classifies publications for sale on behalf of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Territories.  Queensland does not, however, recognise the 'Restricted' categories (Category 1 – Restricted and Category 2 – Restricted).

When making its classification decisions, the Board is required to reflect contemporary community standards and must apply criteria which are set out in the National Classification Code (the Code).

The Code is determined under the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Classification Act).  The Code contains the general principles which form the basis of the Classification Guidelines (the Guidelines).

The Code states:

 Classification decisions are to give effect, as far as possible, to the following principles:
        (a) adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want;
        (b) minors should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them;
        (c) everyone should be protected from exposure to unsolicited material that they find offensive;
        (d) the need to take account of community concerns about:
        (i) depictions that condone or incite violence, particularly sexual violence; and
        (ii) the portrayal of persons in a demeaning manner.

Each principle is carefully considered by the Board in the decision making process.

The concept of demeaning spelt out in the Code applies in making decisions across all of the classification categories.  It refers to descriptions and depictions, directly or indirectly sexual in nature, which debase or appear to debase the person or the character described or depicted.

The Code names and broadly describes the four classification categories for publications:

Unrestricted
Category 1 - Restricted
Category 2 - Restricted
RC (Refused Classification)

The Guidelines describe in more detail the scope and limits of material suitable for each classification category.  Separate guidelines exist for the classification of films (including videos) and computer games.  Both the Code and the Guidelines are agreed to by Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers with censorship responsibilities.

By law, the Board must apply both the Code and the Guidelines when making classification decisions.  The Board must also take into account