{"id":"F2015L01424","name":"Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules) Instrument 2015","slug":"classification-publications-films-and-computer-games-conditional-cultural-exemption-rules-instrument","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":154540,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2015L01424-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-04","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules) Instrument 2015","content":"![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.png)\n\nClassification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules) Instrument 2015\n\nmade under section 6G of the\n\nClassification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995\n\nCompilation No. 1\n\nCompilation date: 14 March 2024\n\nIncludes amendments: F2024L00299\n\nRegistered: 19 April 2024\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis compilation\n\nThis is a compilation of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules) Instrument 2015 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 March 2024 (the compilation date).\n\nThe notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.\n\nUncommenced amendments\n\nThe effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.\n\nApplication, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments\n\nIf the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.\n\nEditorial changes\n\nFor more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.\n\nModifications\n\nIf the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.\n\nSelf‑repealing provisions\n\nIf a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.\n\nContents\n\n1 Name\n\n3 Transitional\n\n4 Definitions\n\n5 Registration process for registered events\n\n6 Conditional cultural exemptions–registered events\n\n7 Approved cultural institutions\n\n8 Conditional cultural exemptions–approved cultural institutions\n\n9 Applications to the Director for exemption or declaration–subsections 6H(1) to (4) of the Act\n\nEndnotes\n\nEndnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nEndnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\nEndnote 4—Amendment history\n\n1 Name\n\nThis instrument is the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules) Instrument 2015.\n\nNote: This instrument is to be read in conjunction with Division 2 of Part 1A of the Act.\n\n3 Transitional\n\n(1) If:\n\n(a) the Director has, prior to commencement of Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the Amendment Act, granted an exemption for a publication, film, computer game or organisation; and\n\n(b) an event to which that exemption relates has not yet occurred at the commencement of Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the Amendment Act;\n\nthe publication, film, computer game or organisation is still subject to that exemption for that event.\n\n(2) Applications to the Director for exemption of a publication, film, computer game or organisation, that were submitted, but on which no decision has been made prior to the commencement of Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the Amendment Act, lapse on commencement of Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the Amendment Act.\n\n4 Definitions\n\nIn this instrument:\n\nAct means the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995.\n\nAmendment Act means the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Classification Tools and Other Measures) Act 2014.\n\nConditional Cultural Exemption Rules means this instrument, the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules) Instrument 2015.\n\nDepartment means the Commonwealth Attorney‑General’s Department.\n\nregistering person means a natural person working for or with, or representing, or otherwise associated with, in a paid or voluntary capacity, an organisation that is organising a registered event, and who is involved in the organisation of the relevant showing, and is responsible for the registration of the event.\n\nregistration process means the process described in section 5.\n\nrelevant material means any submittable publication, unclassified film or unclassified computer game that is to be demonstrated, exhibited or screened as part of a registered event by an approved cultural institution.\n\nrelevant organisation means the organisation responsible for the demonstration, exhibition or screening of publications, films or computer games in accordance with Division 2 of Part 1A of the Act and the Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules.\n\nrelevant showing means the demonstration, exhibition or screening of the relevant material as part of a registered event by an approved cultural institution.\n\ntrained person means a natural person working for or with, or representing, or otherwise associated with, in a paid or voluntary capacity, an approved cultural institution, and who is involved in that organisation’s demonstration, exhibition or screening of publications, films or computer games, and who has completed the training requirements.\n\ntraining requirements means the training required and approved by the Department for the purposes of paragraph 6F(1)(e) or paragraph 6F(2)(c) of the Act.\n\nNote 1: The Department may require further training to be undergone if, for example, it believes that an organisation has breached the requirements of Division 2 of Part 1A of the Act or the Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules, or where additional training is required because of changes to the rules or classification standards.\n\nNote 2: For the meaning of approved cultural institution, contentious material, Director, registered event and subject to a conditional cultural exemption see section 5 of the Act.\n\n5 Registration process for registered events\n\nNote: Section 6D of the Act provides criteria for when an event is a “registered event”. Paragraph 6D(a) specifies that the event must wholly or mainly involve, or wholly or mainly relate to, the display, screening, demonstration or exhibition of films, computer games and/or publications. Events including trade shows, film festivals and mixed media events may be able to satisfy this requirement.\n\n(1) For the purposes of paragraph 6D(c) of the Act the registration process for a registered event is complete when the information required by the Department about the relevant organisation and event has been recorded on the Department’s applications processing system or its replacement(s).\n\n(2) The information required by the Department about the relevant organisation must be complete and accurate and may include:\n\n(a) the legal name of the organisation and any current registered business or trading name; and\n\n(b) the name of the registering person; and\n\n(c) a declaration by the registering person that they have understood the requirements of Division 2 of Part 1A of the Act and the Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules, and will ensure that those requirements are satisfied in relation to the event they are registering; and\n\n(d) contact details for the organisation and registering person; and\n\n(e) the location of the primary online information (if any) about the organisation, such as website or social media; and\n\n(f) the Australian Business Number (if any) of the organisation; and\n\n(g) if the organisation is an incorporated body, the incorporated association number issued by the relevant state or territory.\n\n(3) The information required by the Department about the event must be complete and accurate and may include:\n\n(a) the name of the event; and\n\n(b) the type and purpose of the event; and\n\n(c) the date the event commences; and\n\n(d) the date the event concludes; and\n\n(e) details of the location(s) of the event; and\n\n(f) whether the relevant material comprises films, computer games or publications, or a combination of one or more of these types of materials; and\n\n(g) the titles of the relevant material; and\n\n(h) if the relevant material includes film, the intended number of screenings; and\n\n(i) the audience age restrictions for the relevant material; and\n\n(j) the location of the primary online promotion and information (if any) about the event, such as website or social media; and\n\n(k) the details of any relevant exemption or declaration granted by the Director in accordance with section 6H of the Act.\n\n(4) If information that has been registered in accordance with subsections (2) and/or (3) above changes after the registration process is complete but before the event has concluded, the registration process is considered to be incomplete to the extent that it applies to those changes. The changed required information must be recorded on the Department’s application processing system or its replacement(s) to complete the registration process as it applies to those changes. The changed required information must be recorded prior to the changes taking place.\n\n(5) If the relevant organisation is unable to record the required information, or the changed required information, on the Department’s application processing system or its replacement(s) in accordance with subsections (1) to (4) above, the registration process for the event is considered to be complete when the required information, or changed required information, is received by the Department.\n\n(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) above, acceptable reasons for an organisation’s inability to record the required information or changed required information on the Department’s application processing system or its replacement(s) include:\n\n(a) disability, serious illness or incapacity of the registering person;\n\n(b) being in a remote or other location without functional online access;\n\n(c) the Department’s application processing system or its replacement(s) is unavailable;\n\nbut do not include running out of time.\n\n6 Conditional cultural exemptions–registered events\n\n(1) For the purposes of paragraph 6C(e) of the Act, the relevant material, if film, must not be demonstrated, exhibited or screened more than four times per State or Territory as part of the registered event.\n\nNote: Film festivals and events that tour to regional, rural or remote areas under the auspices of a “travelling film festival” or a “touring film festival\", may register each tour stop or regional stop as a separate event.\n\n(2) For the purposes of paragraph 6C(f) of the Act, a clear and legible notice must be prominently and publicly displayed at the relevant showing regarding any age restrictions that apply in relation to access to the relevant material.\n\n(3) The conditions that must be satisfied for the purposes of paragraph 6C(g) of the Act are:\n\n(a) the event must be for a specified and limited duration; and\n\n(b) the event must not be one in a series of identical or similar registered events that could be reasonably considered to have been arranged primarily for the purpose of circumventing the requirements at subsection 6(1); and\n\n(c) the requirements of any exemption or declaration granted by the Director in accordance with subsections 6H(1) to (4) of the Act must be satisfied.\n\n7 Approved cultural institutions\n\nNote: An organisation will be an approved cultural institution if it meets the criteria in section 6F of the Act. Art galleries, museums and other cultural institutions that have a sound reputation may be approved cultural institutions for the purposes of the Act. Activities staged under the auspices of a local council or a major cultural event that is organised by government may also meet the requirements of section 6F.\n\n(1) For the purpose of paragraphs 6E(f), 6F(1)(g) and 6F(2)(e) of the Act, an approved cultural institution must have one or more trained persons for the purpose of satisfying subsection 7(2).\n\n(2) Any assessments of the likely classification of relevant material for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of paragraphs 6E(b), 6E(c), 6E(d), 6F(1)(d) and 6F(2)(b) of the Act must be done or approved by a trained person.\n\n8 Conditional cultural exemptions–approved cultural institutions\n\nFor the purposes of paragraph 6E(e) of the Act, a clear and legible notice must be prominently and publicly displayed at the relevant showing regarding any age restrictions that apply in relation to access to the relevant material.\n\n9 Applications to the Director for exemption or declaration–subsections 6H(1) to (4) of the Act\n\nNote: Paragraph 6H(3)(a) provides that an application to the Director for exemptions or declarations specified under section 6H of the Act must be in a form approved, in writing, by the Director.\n\n(1) All applications for exemptions or declarations specified under section 6H of the Act must:\n\n(a) be in writing; and\n\n(b) be signed by, or on behalf of, the applicant (the relevant organisation); and\n\n(c) specify the type, extent and duration of the exemption or declaration being sought; and\n\n(d) include the reason the exemption or declaration is sought and any supporting evidence; and\n\n(e) include a statement about the benefit, if any, to the public of the exemption or declaration sought.\n\n(2) In addition to the requirements at subsection (1) above, applications for exemptions or declarations specified under section 6H of the Act must also include the information required by the Director about the organisation, which may include:\n\n(a) the legal name of the organisation and any current registered business and trading names; and\n\n(b) the name of a contact person within the organisation; and\n\n(c) contact details for the organisation and contact person; and\n\n(d) the Australian Business Number (if any) of the organisation; and\n\n(e) if the organisation is an incorporated body, the incorporated association number issued by the relevant state or territory; and\n\n(f) adequate and relevant information that may assist the Director’s consideration of the application such as the purpose for which the organisation was formed, background, history, size and reputation of the organisation; and\n\n(g) other information as required by the Director for the purpose of deciding whether to grant the exemption or declaration sought.\n\n(3) In addition to the requirements at subsections (1) and (2) above, applications for exemptions or declarations specified under section 6H of the Act that relate to a particular film, publication, computer game or event must include the information required by the Director which may include:\n\n(a) the name of the event; and\n\n(b) the type and purpose of the event; and\n\n(c) the date the event commences; and\n\n(d) the date the event concludes; and\n\n(e) details of the location(s) of the event; and\n\n(f) whether the relevant material comprises films, computer games or publications, or a combination of one or more of these types of materials; and\n\n(g) the titles of the relevant material; and\n\n(h) if the relevant material includes film, the intended number of screenings; and\n\n(i) the location of the primary online promotion and information (if any) about the event, such as website or social media; and\n\n(j) any age restrictions that apply in relation to access to the relevant material; and\n\n(k) adequate written synopses or descriptions for the relevant material; and\n\nNote: An adequate written synopsis of a film, under subparagraph 14(1)(d)(ii) of the Act, is described as “in English that includes a statement or summary of any incidents, or of the plot, depicted or intended to be depicted by the film”.\n\n(l) for any films or computer games that would be likely to be classified M or above, details of the contentious material; and\n\n(m) for any publications that would be likely to be classified Category 1 – restricted or higher, details of the content that is likely to be Category 1 – restricted or higher.\n\n> Note: Endnotes\n\n> Note: Endnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nThe endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.\n\nThe following endnotes are included in every compilation:\n\nEndnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nEndnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\nEndnote 4—Amendment history\n\nAbbreviation key—Endnote 2\n\nThe abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.\n\nLegislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4\n\nAmending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.\n\nThe legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.\n\nThe amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.\n\nEditorial changes\n\nThe Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.\n\nIf the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.\n\nMisdescribed amendments\n\nA misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nIf a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.\n\n> Note: Endnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\n| ad = added or inserted                         | o = order(s)                        |\n| ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |\n| am = amended                                   | Ord = Ordinance                     |\n| amdt = amendment                               | orig = original                     |\n| c = clause(s)                                  | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)  |\n| C[x] = Compilation No. x                       | /sub‑subparagraph(s)                |\n| Ch = Chapter(s)                                | pres = present                      |\n| def = definition(s)                            | prev = previous                     |\n| Dict = Dictionary                              | (prev…) = previously                |\n| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament          | Pt = Part(s)                        |\n| Div = Division(s)                              | r = regulation(s)/rule(s)           |\n| ed = editorial change                          | reloc = relocated                   |\n| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | renum = renumbered                  |\n| effect                                         | rep = repealed                      |\n| F = Federal Register of Legislation            | rs = repealed and substituted       |\n| gaz = gazette                                  | s = section(s)/subsection(s)        |\n| LA = Legislation Act 2003                      | Sch = Schedule(s)                   |\n| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003         | Sdiv = Subdivision(s)               |\n| (md) = misdescribed amendment can be given     | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |\n| effect                                         | SR = Statutory Rules                |\n| (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment       | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)             |\n| cannot be given effect                         | SubPt = Subpart(s)                  |\n| mod = modified/modification                    | underlining = whole or part not     |\n| No. = Number(s)                                | commenced or to be commenced        |\n\n> Note: Endnote 3—Legislation history\n\n| Name                                                                                                           | Registration               | Commencement             | Application, saving and transitional provisions |\n| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |\n| Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules) Instrument 2015 | 11 Sept 2015 (F2015L01424) | 11 Sept 2015 (s 2)       |                                                 |\n| Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Legislation Amendment Instrument 2024                  | 13 Mar 2024 (F2024L00299)  | Sch 1: 14 Mar 2024 (s 2) | —                                               |\n\n> Note: Endnote 4—Amendment history\n\n| Provision affected       | How affected   |\n| ------------------------ | -------------- |\n| s 2..................... | rep LA s 48D   |\n| s 4..................... | am F2024L00299 |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument appears to operate within its original intended scope. It implements the conditional cultural exemption framework established by the 2014 Amendment Act, providing the granular operational rules (registration processes, training requirements, screening limits) that the primary legislation contemplated. The 2024 amendment appears to be a minor technical update (section 4 amended, section 2 repealed as spent) rather than an expansion of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing to the parent Act (Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995), particularly sections 6C-6H","9 defined terms in section 4, some referring back to the Act for additional definitions","Nested conditions: exemptions depend on registration, which depends on trained persons, which depends on Department-approved training","Multiple information requirements spread across subsections (organisational details in s5(2), event details in s5(3), application details in s9)","Conditional logic in s3 regarding transitional arrangements for pre-existing exemptions","Exception handling in s5(5)-(6) for when online registration is impossible","Self-referential definition ('Conditional Cultural Exemption Rules means this instrument')"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument establishes rules for conditional cultural exemptions that let approved cultural institutions and registered events show unclassified films, games or publications under specified safeguards. It affects galleries, museums, festivals and their audiences by enabling access to niche or artistic works without formal classification, while protecting viewers through registration, trained staff, screening limits and clear age restrictions to prevent circumvention."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The compilation incorporates a 2024 amendment (F2024L00299). Endnote 4 records that section 4 was amended and section 2 was repealed (LA s 48D). Those recorded changes modify definitions and the instrument’s operative text as compiled (see Endnotes 3–4 and the instrument header noting the included amendment)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to Division 2 of Part 1A of the Act and multiple specific Act provisions (ss 6C–6H) create interdependence between this instrument and the primary Act (see instrument note at s 1 and multiple provisions).","Detailed registration data requirements and obligations to keep information complete and accurate, including updating registered details before changes occur (s 5(1)–(5)).","Dependence on the Department’s applications processing system and defined acceptable exceptions if the registering person cannot use it (s 5(1), (5)–(6)).","Quantitative restriction on screenings (no more than four screenings per State/Territory for films) introduces geographic counting and monitoring obligations (s 6(1)).","Conditional rules on event duration and anti‑circumvention (limits on series of similar events) require factual judgments by organisers and the Department (s 6(3)(a)–(b)).","Mandatory trained‑person requirement and Department‑approved training with potential for additional training if rules change or breaches occur (definitions and s 7(1)–(2); training requirements note).","Director discretion over exemptions and declarations and detailed application content (written form, signatures, statement of public benefit, synopses, details of contentious material) create substantive administrative decision points (s 9(1)–(3), including (3)(k)–(m)).","Transitional rules preserve some prior exemptions but cause pending applications to lapse, adding temporal complexity for stakeholders (s 3(1)–(2)).","Many information fields are optional or ‘may include’ lists, producing variability in compliance burden and potential Department requests for additional information (s 5(2)–(3), s 9(2)(f)–(g))."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets rules for conditional cultural exemptions that let approved cultural institutions and registered events show unclassified films, computer games or publications without prior classification. It affects event organisers, approved cultural institutions, and the Attorney‑General’s Department and Director, who administer registrations, exemptions and declarations. Mechanically it requires registration on the Department’s system, limits screenings, requires trained staff and public age‑restriction notices, and specifies detailed application and transitional requirements."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/classification-publications-films-and-computer-games-conditional-cultural-exemption-rules-instrument","history":"/api/acts/classification-publications-films-and-computer-games-conditional-cultural-exemption-rules-instrument/history","analysis":"/api/acts/classification-publications-films-and-computer-games-conditional-cultural-exemption-rules-instrument/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/classification-publications-films-and-computer-games-conditional-cultural-exemption-rules-instrument/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/classification-publications-films-and-computer-games-conditional-cultural-exemption-rules-instrument/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/classification-publications-films-and-computer-games-conditional-cultural-exemption-rules-instrument/documents"}}