Australian Film Ratings

The aim of this page is to provide a brief overview of the changing standards of the R and RC ratings, and an explanation of what you can and cannot expect to find in our Film Censorship Database.

Films the database does contain

Films that have had problems with the Australian Censors since the introduction of the R-rating in November 1971. The eventual aim is to cover all censorship decisions since this rating came into effect. Before this point, it was just too widespread to attempt to cover.

Films that have been confiscated by the Australian Customs Service (ACS). Some of these may also have been Refused Classification by the Australian Censors, whilst others were decided by Customs themselves. The only way to document these titles is information supplied by you. If customs have taken a film of yours then send the details in for inclusion in the database.

Films that were censored to achieve lower classifications. For example, THREE KINGS and THE ROCK are covered because they were modified for MA15+ ratings.

Films that were pre-cut before submission to the Classification Board because the distributor feared censorship problems. For example, Siren's Hentai DVDs such as BEAT ANGEL ESCALYER and DEBTS OF DESIRE. The distributors are essentially trying to predict what the Classification Board may find offensive. Classification and appeals are an expensive business, so you can hardly blame them for taking these kinds of precautionary measures. It is worth noting that those titles that have been subjected to this kind of in-house censorship will still be listed in the Censor's database as original versions. The true extent of the censorship is therefore hidden from the public.

Films that were the subject of controversy, but not censorship. These include films such as HAIL MARY and THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST.

Films that were released in different versions, either because of distributor ignorance or laziness.

Overseas (BBFC or MPAA) censored prints that have been dumped on the Australian market.

These final two categories are covered in much greater depth at The Chopping List and Michael D's.

We have attempted to separate those titles that were unofficially censored or just plain controversial by marking next to them with an *.

Films the database does not contain

In general, adult films are covered in our Adult Film Censorship Database.

Films such as TROY, which were never censored, but had their rating lowered by the Review Board.

Changing rating standards

You will notice in the database many films that were banned in the early 1970s, which are now MA15+, or even M-rated. Standards have changed and far fewer films are Refused Classification or censored than before.

Also, prior to the 1993 introduction of the MA15+ rating it was more common for R18+ films to be censored for the lower M-rating.

RC-rating History

Prior to 1988, the Refused Classification rating was known as Refused Registration. Banned films from this time will sometimes be referred to as RR.

RC-rating: March 30, 2003 to Present

NOTE: Films that exceed the R and X classification categories will be Refused Classification.
Films and computer games will be refused classification if they include or contain any of the following:

Crime or Violence
Detailed instruction or promotion in matters of crime or violence.
The promotion or provision of instruction in paedophile activity.
Depictions of child sexual abuse or any other exploitative or offensive depictions involving a person who is or who looks like a child under 16 years.
Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of:
(i) violence with a very high degree of impact or which are excessively frequent, prolonged or detailed;
(ii) cruelty or real violence which are very detailed or which have a high impact;
(iii) sexual violence.

Sex
Depictions of practices such as bestiality.
Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of:
(i) sexual activity accompanied by fetishes or practices which are offensive or abhorrent;
(ii) incest fantasies or other fantasies which are offensive or abhorrent.

Drug Use
Detailed instruction in the use of proscribed drugs.
Material promoting or encouraging proscribed drug use.

RC-rating: April 1, 1994 to March 29, 2003

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
. 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.

R-rating History

The R-rating was introduced in Australia in November 1971.

R-rating: March 30, 2003 to Present

IMPACT TEST
The impact of material classified R should not exceed high.

NOTE: This classification category applies only to films. Material classified R is legally restricted to adults. Some material classified R may be offensive to sections of the adult community.

CLASSIFIABLE ELEMENTS

THEMES
There are virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes.

VIOLENCE
Violence is permitted.
Sexual violence may be implied, if justified by context.

SEX
Sexual activity may be realistically simulated. The general rule is
“simulation, yes – the real thing, no”.

LANGUAGE
There are virtually no restrictions on language.

DRUG USE
Drug use is permitted.

NUDITY
Nudity is permitted.

R-rating: 1996 to March 29, 2003

The R category is legally restricted to adults. Material which is given a restricted classification is unsuitable for those under 18 years of age. Material classified R deals with issues or contains depictions which require an adult perspective.

The classification is not intended as a comment on the quality of the material. Some material may be offensive to some sections of the community. Material which promotes or incites or instructs in matters of crime and/or violence is not permitted.

VIOLENCE

Depictions of violence which are excessive will not be permitted.

Strong depictions of realistic violence may be shown but depictions with a high degree of impact should not be gratuitous or exploitative.

Sexual violence may only be implied and should not be detailed.

Depictions must not be frequent, gratuitous or exploitative.

Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of cruelty or real violence will not be permitted.

SEX

Sexual activity may be realistically simulated; the general rule is "simulation, yes - the real thing no."

COARSE LANGUAGE

There are virtually no restrictions on coarse language a R level.

ADULT THEMES

The treatment of any themes with a very high degree of intensity should not be exploitative.

DRUG USE

Drug use may be shown but not gratuitously detailed.

Drug use should not be promoted or encouraged.

Detailed instruction in drug misuse is not permitted.