SCHEDULE 3

These guidelines were approved by Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship

Ministers in accordance with Section 12(3) of the Commonwealth Classification
(Publications Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 on 15 April 1999.
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GUIDELINES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION

OF COMPUTER GAMES
(Amendment No.1)
Computer games, whether they are locally made or come from overseas, have to be
classified before they can be sold, hired or demonstrated in Australia.

Classification is done by the Classification Board (the Board) which is located at the
Sydney-based Office of Film and Literature Classification.

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 Act). The Code contains the general principles which form the
basis of the Guidelines for Classification of Computer Games (the Guidelines).
The main features of the classification scheme for computer games are:
• Computer games offered for sale, hire or arcade use are subject to
classification against an agreed set of guidelines. The exceptions are:
(i) ‘Bulletin Board Systems’ are not regulated under this scheme; and (ii)
business, accounting or educational software is not regulated unless it
contains ‘adult’ type material.
• These guidelines are, at the direction of Commonwealth, State and Territory
Ministers, to be applied more strictly than those for the classification of film
and videotape. The Ministers are concerned that games, because of their
 ‘interactive’ nature, may have greater impact, and therefore greater potential
for harm or detriment, on young minds than film and videotape.
• Under this scheme, classification decisions are to give effect, as far as is
possible, to the principles spelled out in the Code that:
(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; and
(d) the need to take account of community concerns about:
. depictions which condone or incite violence and, in
particular, sexual violence; and
. the portrayal of persons in a demeaning manner.
• The stronger computer games are banned, some material is restricted for
sale to those 15 years and over.
• Consumer information is displayed on packaging and advertising. These
measures are designed to assist parents to choose material for themselves
and those in their care.
• There are substantial penalties under State and Territory laws for selling
unclassified games, particularly those subsequently classified restricted or
refused classification.

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15 April 1999
The structure of the classification system is:
General. This category is suitable for all persons under 15 years. It
may be recognised by the display of the following words
on packaging or advertising matter:
- ‘Suitable for all ages’.

General (8+). This category is also suitable for persons under 15 years
but may not be appropriate to younger children under 8
years who may have difficulty distinguishing between
fantasy and reality. It may be recognised by the display of
the following words on packaging or advertising matter:
- ‘Suitable for children 8 years and over’.

Mature. This category is suitable for persons 15 years and over.

Additional information may be provided by the display of
the following words on packaging or advertising matter:
- ‘Suitable for persons 15 years and over’.
MA. This category is restricted to persons 15 years and over.
Refused Classification. Material so classified may not be sold, hired, exhibited,
displayed, demonstrated or advertised.

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15 April 1999
GENERAL ‘G’

(Suitable for All Ages)

Material considered to be ‘suitable for all ages’ is to include on the front cover of its
packaging a marking (prominent text on a contrasting background) such as -

This classification is suitable for the youngest child and should not require parental
supervision.

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15 April 1999
GENERAL ‘G(8+)’

(Suitable for children 8 years and over)

‘General’ material considered to be ‘suitable for children 8 years and over’ is to include on its
packaging an appropriate warning (prominent text on a contrasting background) such as -

Material which falls into this category would contain elements which might disturb or distress
very young children. Elements which might warrant this category would include:

• depictions of unrealistic or stylised violence even where these are considered mild

• mild horror or potentially frightening fantasy characters or situations

• the mildest expletives, but only if infrequent.

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MATURE ‘M(15+)’

(Suitable for persons 15 years and over)

‘Mature’ material considered ‘suitable for persons 15 years and over’ is to include on its
packaging an appropriate warning (prominent text on a contrasting background) such as -

Material which falls into this category would contain elements which might disturb, harm or
offend those under 15 years to the extent that it is recommended for use by those 15 years and
over. Elements which might warrant this category would include:

• depictions of realistic violence of low intensity (eg punches, kicks, blows to realistic
animated characters or real-life images)

• supernatural or horror scenarios, but not if graphic or impactful

• mild sexual references

• low level coarse language, but not if excessive.

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‘MA (15+)’

(Restricted to persons 15 years and over)

Computer games or images classified ‘MA’ may not be sold, hired or demonstrated to persons
under 15 years. The packaging for this category of games will display (prominent text on a
contrasting background) a marking such as -

Material which falls into this category would contain elements likely to disturb, harm or
offend those under 15 years to the extent that it should be restricted to those 15 years and
over. Elements which might warrant this category would include:

• depictions of realistic violence of medium intensity (eg impactful punches, kicks, blows
and blood-shed to realistic animated characters or real-life images)

• graphic or impactful supernatural or horror scenarios

• strong sexual references

• use of frequent crude language, but not if excessive, unduly assaultative or sexually
explicit

• nudity, including genital detail, but only if there is a ‘bona fide’ educational, medical or
community health purpose.

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RC REFUSED CLASSIFICATION

Material which includes any of the following will be refused classification:

Violence:
• depictions of realistic violence, even if not detailed, relished or cruel (eg. excessive and
serious violence such as realistic depictions of dismemberment accompanied by loss of
blood to real life images);

• extreme ‘horror’ scenarios or special effects; or

• depictions of unduly detailed and/or relished acts of extreme violence or cruelty.

Sex:
• nudity, including genitalia unless there is a ‘bona fide’ educational, medical or
community health purpose;

• simulated or explicit depictions of sexual acts between consenting adults;

• any depiction of sexual violence or sexual activity involving non-consent of any kind;
or

• depictions of child sexual abuse, bestiality, sexual acts accompanied by offensive

fetishes, or exploitative incest fantasies.

Language:
• use of sexually explicit language.

Other:
• promotion or provision of instruction in paedophile activity.

• detailed instruction or encouragement in:

(i) matters of crime or violence; or

(ii) the abuse of proscribed drugs;

• depictions which encourage the use of tobacco or alcohol, or which depict drug abuse;
or

• depictions which are likely to endorse or promote ethnic, racial or religious hatred.

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CONSUMER ADVICE LINES

Consumer advice lines reflect the principal element(s) that contributed to the classification of
a game/image (eg, the words ‘contains frequent animated violence’). They are displayed on
packaging and advertising and are intended to assist the purchaser to make an informed
choice for personal use or for use by persons under his/her care.

CONSUMER ADVICE LINES (PROVISIONAL LIST)

G(8+) comic/mild horror

fantasy elements unsuitable for young children
low level animated violence
low level coarse language
adult themes

M(15+) low level violence

medium level violence
low level animated violence
medium level animated violence
low level coarse language
medium level coarse language
horror theme
adult themes
sexual references

MA(15+) medium level animated violence

high level animated violence
medium level violence
high level violence
medium level coarse language
horror theme
adult themes
sexual references

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