Guidelines for the Classification of Films 2012
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The legal context
The national classification scheme is based on:
- the Commonwealth Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Act), and
- a cooperative agreement between Commonwealth, State and Territory governments.
Under the scheme, the Commonwealth makes the classification decisions, and the States and Territories enforce them.
The Act contains a National Classification Code (the Code). It also allows Guidelines to be made. By agreement, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers can vary the Code and the Guidelines.
The Act requires films and computer games to be classified, using the Code and the Guidelines, before they are released or advertised.
Classification decisions are made by the Classification Board. Its decisions can be reviewed by the Classification Review Board. Administrative support for both Boards is provided by the Australian Government Attorney‑General’s Department.