Codes - computer and video games

All video and computer games for public exhibition, sale or hire, must be classified under the provisions of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer games) Act 1995.

Classification is carried out on behalf of all states and territories of Australia by the federal Classification Board, using the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games, as agreed to by the State and Territory Ministers responsible for censorship.

Each State and Territory has parallel Acts which specify:

• which classifications are permitted in that State
• the conditions of display, sale or hire. Such conditions include requirements to display the classification of individual computer games in advertising, on covers of the game, and in arcades. Arcades and shops should display large posters explaining the classification system. MA15+ video games are not permitted to be displayed in arcades.

• penalties for allowing under age children to gain access to legally restricted computer games (i.e. MA15+).

See each individual state and territory Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1996.