Summary

6.1 This chapter considers what media content should be required to be classified under the new National Classification Scheme. The chapter starts by considering distinguishing features of content that might be used to determine whether something must be classified. The ALRC concludes that whether something must be classified should no longer turn on the platform on which the content is accessed. Rather, it is more important to ask if content is made and distributed on a commercial basis and has a significant Australian audience.

6.2 The ALRC recommends that the following content should be required to be classified before it is sold, screened, provided online or otherwise distributed to the Australian public:

  • feature films;
  • television programs; and
  • computer games likely to be classified MA 15+ or higher.

However, this content should only be required to be classified if it is both:

  • made and distributed on a commercial basis; and
  • likely to have a significant Australian audience.[1]

6.3 The classification of most other media content—for example, computer games likely to be G, PG and M, books, magazines, websites and music—should become or remain voluntary. However, industry bodies should develop codes that encourage the voluntary classification of some of this other content, such as lower-level computer games and adult magazines.

[1] That is, an audience with an Australian audience of a significant size.