Guidelines for the Classification of Films 2012 (Cth)

Guidelines for the Classification of Films 20121 Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995

I, Jason Clare, Minister for Justice, with the agreement of each participating Minister mentioned in subsection 12 (1) of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995, determine the following guidelines under that subsection.

Dated 10 December 2012

Jason Clare Minister for Justice

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of instrument

This instrument is the Guidelines for the Classification of Films 2012.

2 Commencement

This instrument commences on 1 January 2013.

3 Repeal

The following instruments are repealed: (a) Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games; (b) Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games Amendment 2008 (No. 1). Part 2 Guidelines for the Classification of Films

Introduction to the Guidelines

Background

The Guidelines for the Classification of Films (the Guidelines) are a tool for classifying films. They help explain the different classification categories, and the scope and limits of material suitable for each category. They are revised from time to time, with extensive community input.

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.