Lexi Webster
In Australia, all media intended for retail display must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). A work deemed inappropriate by the ACB may be refused classification (RC), banning it from being sold at retail and placing it on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items. In 2020, Japanese hentai was banned in Australia and regarded as 'illegal pornography'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ban | 28 October 2020 |
| Type of content banned | Hentai |
| Country | Australia |
| Status | Illegal pornography |
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What You'll Learn
- Hentai is considered illegal pornography in Australia
- The Australian Classification Board (ACB) can refuse classification to media content
- ACB-banned content is forbidden for sale, hire, or public exhibition
- Possessing RC content is legal except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory
- Australia introduced an R18+ rating for video games in 2013
Hentai is considered illegal pornography in Australia
Hentai has been deemed "illegal pornography" in Australia, with the Australian Border Force (ABF) blocking the importation of such content from Japan. This move signals Australia's hardening stance on sexually explicit comics and animations.
The ABF defines illegal pornography as "child pornography (any depiction of children in a sexually explicit manner)" and any publications, films, computer games, and any other goods that describe, depict, express, or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence, terrorist acts or revolting and abhorrent phenomena. Hentai falls under this broad definition, particularly when it involves depictions of sexual violence or characters that could be perceived as minors.
Australian authorities have taken action to prevent the entry of hentai into the country, with consumers facing charges and prosecution for possessing cartoon hentai deemed as child exploitation material. This stance has been reflected in court cases, where individuals have been convicted and sentenced for possessing anime images and videos containing pornographic depictions of children.
The classification of hentai as illegal pornography in Australia has sparked debate, with some expressing concern over censorship and the potential for overreach in interpreting the law. However, the Australian government maintains its position, citing the need to uphold moral and ethical standards, especially regarding the protection of minors.
The ban on hentai in Australia extends beyond just the content itself. Retailers specializing in adult products, such as J-List, have been advised to stop shipping to the country, impacting the availability of a range of adult-themed items, including sex toys, anime, cosplay, figurines, and manga. This comprehensive approach to banning hentai underscores the Australian government's determination to enforce its interpretation of acceptable content.
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The Australian Classification Board (ACB) can refuse classification to media content
In Australia, all media intended for retail display, including films and video games, must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). The ACB has the power to refuse classification to media content that is deemed too inappropriate, effectively banning it from being sold or exhibited publicly in the country. This power extends to both physical and digital media, including video games and online content.
The ACB's decision to refuse classification to a particular piece of media content typically results in a ban on its sale, hire, or public exhibition. This ban is legally enforceable, with violations carrying substantial fines and potential jail time. While it is legal to possess Refused Classification (RC) games in most parts of Australia, importing and distributing such content can result in significant financial penalties.
The ACB's criteria for refusing classification are based on the content's suitability for the R18+ rating, which was introduced in 2013. Media content that contains material deemed unsuitable for this rating, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use, may be refused classification. It is important to note that the ACB's decisions are subject to change over time, and some previously banned content may receive a classification upon re-evaluation.
The ACB's refusal of classification is not limited to video games and films but can also apply to other forms of media, including Japanese hentai. In 2020, reports emerged that hentai was officially banned in Australia, falling under the category of illegal pornography. This decision by the ACB underscores the organization's role in determining the suitability of media content for Australian audiences and its ability to restrict access to content deemed inappropriate or harmful.
The Australian Classification Board's authority to refuse classification to media content is a significant aspect of the country's content regulation framework. While it aims to protect the public from inappropriate or harmful content, it also carries consequences for the availability and accessibility of certain types of media in Australia. The ACB's decisions can have a direct impact on the media landscape, influencing what games, films, and other forms of content are accessible to Australians.
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ACB-banned content is forbidden for sale, hire, or public exhibition
In Australia, all media intended for retail display, including films and video games, must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). If a work is deemed too inappropriate by the ACB, it may be Refused Classification (RC), effectively banning it from being sold or made available for hire or public exhibition in the country. Any copies of such works found at the border will be seized, and the importer may face fines of up to A$110,000. RC-banned content can still be legally possessed in Australia, except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory.
The introduction of an R18+ rating for video games in 2013 reduced the number of games refused classification. However, games may still receive an RC rating if they contain material deemed unsuitable for the R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence, promotion of illegal drug use, or drug use related to incentives and rewards.
Japanese hentai has reportedly joined the list of ACB-banned content in Australia, with sources stating that it is now considered "illegal pornography" in the country. While the specific reasons for this ban are unclear, it is likely that the ACB deemed hentai to contain inappropriate content that falls under the RC category, making it forbidden for sale, hire, or public exhibition in Australia.
The ACB's classification system aims to protect the Australian public from potentially harmful or inappropriate content. However, it is important to recognize that the line between censorship and protection can be blurry, and the ACB's decisions can significantly impact the availability and accessibility of certain types of media content in the country.
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Possessing RC content is legal except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory
Australia has strict laws regarding the classification of media intended for retail display, such as films and video games. All media must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). If the content is deemed inappropriate, it may be "Refused Classification" (RC), banning it from sale and resulting in the addition of the work to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items. Any copies found at the border will be seized, and the importer may face hefty fines.
RC-rated games are banned for sale, hire, or public exhibition, with penalties of up to $275,000 in fines and/or 10 years in jail. However, it is generally legal to possess RC-rated games, except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory.
In 2020, Japanese hentai was reported to be banned in Australia, falling under the category of illegal pornography. While there is limited explicit information on this ban, it can be assumed that possessing such content would fall under the same regulations as RC-rated games, and therefore, be illegal to possess in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory.
The introduction of the R18+ rating in 2013 reduced the number of video games receiving the RC rating. This rating allows publishers to sell games with mature content to adults while ensuring that inappropriate material for this rating, such as sexual violence or drug use, can still be refused classification.
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Australia introduced an R18+ rating for video games in 2013
Prior to the introduction of the R18+ rating, video games in Australia were only rated up to MA15+, with the highest rating for computer games being MA15+. This meant that overseas adults-only games were either banned in Australia or given a lower classification, making them accessible to children. The introduction of the R18+ rating was intended to address this issue, allowing adults to purchase games suitable for their age group while restricting children's access to age-inappropriate content.
The R18+ rating for video games was first proposed in 2009, and after several years of legislative back-and-forth, it was finally passed by the Australian Federal Parliament and came into effect on January 1, 2013. The ACT was the first jurisdiction to allow the sale of R18+ video games.
The new rating was expected to reduce the number of video games refused classification (RC), as some games that would previously have fallen into this category could now be classified as R18+. However, the R18+ rating does not mean that all violent, sexually explicit, or drug-related content is permissible. Games containing material deemed unsuitable for the R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use, may still be refused classification and banned from sale, hire, or public exhibition in Australia.
The introduction of the R18+ rating for video games in Australia was a significant development, providing a more nuanced classification system for video games and addressing concerns about age-inappropriate content.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia has banned hentai and regards it as 'illegal pornography'.
Hentai is a type of Japanese pornographic media, often in the form of anime or manga.
Hentai was likely banned due to its explicit sexual content, which is deemed inappropriate for public consumption in Australia.
Australia has strict laws regarding media content, and any media deemed too inappropriate by the Australian Classification Board (ACB) may be refused classification (RC) and banned from sale, hire, or public exhibition. This includes some video games and films.
