Australian Classification Board
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Classification Board (CB) is an Australian statutory classification and censorship body formed by the Australian Government which classifies films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia since its establishment in 1995. The Classification Board was originally incorporated in the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) which was dissolved in 2006.
The Classification Board does not directly censor material by ordering cuts or changes. However, they are able to effectively censor media by refusing classification and making the media illegal for hire, exhibition and importation to Australia. The Attorney-General's Department now provides administrative support to the Board and decisions made by the Board may be reviewed by the Australian Classification Review Board, which is a part of the Attorney-General's Department.
The system has several levels of "restricted" categories, prohibiting sale, exhibition or use of some materials to those who are under a prescribed age. In 2005, video and computer games became subject to the same classification ratings and restrictions as films (with the exception of the R18+ and X18+ ratings), in response to confusion by parents.
See also
- Advertising Standards Bureau (Australia)
- Australian Classification Review Board – Reviews appeals made by publishers/government officials if they are unhappy with a rating given by the ACB
- Censorship in Australia
- Internet censorship in Australia
- List of pornography laws by region – Australian hardcore pornography laws
- Television content rating – includes the rating system of Australian TV
- Video game controversy – includes the history of games censorship in Australia
- List of banned video games in Australia
