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Australia has a history of banning video games that are available in other countries. Games that are deemed to contain material unsuitable for R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use, are often refused classification and banned from being sold in the country. Despite the introduction of an R18+ rating in 2013, the Australian government still treats video games as a child-centric medium, applying stricter rules to video games than other forms of media. This has led to calls for the Australian government to overhaul the classification system and move away from the moral panic associated with video games.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Games are banned for content that would be acceptable in films and TV, including sex, drugs, and violence. |
| Classification system | Australia has a classification system for video games, including MA15+ (Mature Accompanied 15+), R18+ (Restricted 18+), and X18+ (Restricted 18+). Games can also be denied classification and banned from sale. |
| Recent bans | Disco Elysium, Hotline Miami 2, We Happy Few, and an unannounced title from Rockstar Games. |
| Criticism | The classification system is criticised for applying stricter rules to video games than other media, reflecting outdated notions of "moral panic" surrounding video games. |
| Changes | In 2011, an R18+ rating was introduced for video games, which reduced the number of games refused classification. |
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What You'll Learn
Games with sexual content are banned
Australia has a history of banning video games that are readily available elsewhere. Games with sexual content are banned in Australia if they are deemed too inappropriate by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). The ACB can refuse classification, effectively banning the game from being sold at retail. Any copies found at the border will be seized, and the importer may be fined up to A$110,000.
Before 2011, Australia did not have an R18+ rating for video games, which meant that any game released would be available to 15-year-olds or not at all. This led to the banning of Grand Theft Auto III, which featured sex workers and violence towards them. The game was only available to those over 18 in most other countries.
In 2011, an R18+ rating for video games was introduced, allowing previously banned games to be sold in Australia if they fit into this rating and the publisher paid the reclassification fee. However, games may still be refused classification if they contain material unsuitable for the R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence.
Some games that have been banned in Australia due to sexual content include Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which was re-rated Adults Only and recalled due to a hidden sex minigame, and Hotline Miami 2, which was banned due to an implied sexual assault scene. Negligee: Love Stories was also not released in Australia due to explicit sexual content and nudity.
The introduction of the R18+ rating has not changed what games are banned, and Australia continues to ban games that are available in other countries. This has led to concerns about the country's guidelines for classifying video games and their treatment of the medium.
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Games with drug use are banned
In Australia, all media intended for retail display must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). A work deemed too inappropriate by the ACB may be Refused Classification (RC), banning it from being sold at retail. Games may be refused classification if they contain material unsuitable for the R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use, as well as drug use that is related to incentives and rewards.
One of Australia's main sticking points with its classification system is the use of drugs to impact gameplay. Katana Zero and Fallout 3 were banned due to their inclusion of substance use. In Fallout 3, chems can be used to heighten reflexes and alter gameplay, which the ACB did not agree with. The board's view was that the drug use was related to incentives and rewards, as the incentive to take the drugs is to progress through the game more easily and the reward is an increase in the character's abilities. Eventually, Bethesda changed the name of the in-game drugs to made-up names such as "Med-X", and the game was allowed to be sold worldwide.
Another game that was initially banned in Australia due to drug use was Disco Elysium: The Final Cut. In this game, the main character wakes up from a prolonged bender with severe amnesia, and players can consume various substances to gain certain benefits in dialogue or combat. The game has since appealed its ban and is now allowed to be sold in the country.
While the introduction of the R18+ rating for video games in Australia has reduced the number of games refused classification, it is clear that games with drug use that is related to incentives and rewards will continue to be banned.
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Games with violent content are banned
One notable example is Grand Theft Auto III, which was initially released with an MA15+ rating, but after a media outcry over the ability to be violent towards sex workers, it was banned entirely as there was no R18+ rating available at the time. Another game that faced a similar fate was Fallout 3, which was refused classification due to the inclusion of chems that could heighten reflexes and alter gameplay, which the ACB deemed inappropriate.
Even with the introduction of the R18+ rating in 2013, games with violent content continue to be banned in Australia. Manhunt, a game that received major backlash in the US due to its themes of severe violence, was also banned in Australia, with multiple appeals from the developers denied. More recently, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was refused classification due to its depiction of drug misuse and violence, among other things, which was found to offend "against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults".
The Australian government has been criticized for applying a stricter set of rules to video games than other forms of media, reflecting an outdated view of games as a child-centric medium associated with moral panic. Despite the average age of video game players in the country being 34 years old, the government's classification system has not kept up with modern societal norms, leading to calls for an overhaul of the system to bring it in line with other forms of media.
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Games with offensive language are banned
Australia has a history of banning video games deemed too inappropriate for players under 18. Games with offensive language are banned in Australia if they are refused classification by the Australian Classification Board (ACB), which reviews all media intended for retail display. Games refused classification are prohibited from being sold at retail and are placed on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items.
Until 2013, the ACB did not have an R18+ rating for video games, which meant that many games were refused classification and banned from sale in the country. Games that include offensive language related to sexual content or the promotion of illegal drug use, as well as drug use that is related to incentives and rewards, are likely to be refused classification. For example, Fallout 3 was refused classification because chems in the game could be used to heighten reflexes and alter gameplay. Similarly, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was initially allowed to be sold in Australia, but after the hidden "Hot Coffee" scene was discovered, public outrage against the game led to its removal from shelves.
Games that include offensive language related to violence are also likely to be refused classification. For example, Manhunt was banned in Australia due to its themes of severe violence related to torture. Mortal Kombat was also refused classification due to its violent presentation.
Even after the R18+ designation was created, many games were required to edit their content and reapply for classification. Games that include offensive language or content that is deemed inappropriate for players under 18 may still be refused classification and banned from sale in Australia.
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Games with sexual violence are banned
In Australia, all media intended for retail display, such as films and video games, must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). A work deemed too 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. Games may be refused classification if they contain material unsuitable for R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence, the promotion of illegal drug use, and drug use related to incentives and rewards.
In 2025, the game No Mercy, an online video game that depicts rape and incest, was promptly geo-blocked in Australia. The Australian Classifications Board stated that:
> Where specific titles on Steam have been identified as non-compliant or potentially in breach of classification legislation, the Department has engaged directly with the platform. In each instance, including the case of No Mercy, Steam has voluntarily removed the offending content from its Australian storefront.
One of the dangers of video games like No Mercy, which depicts sexual violence toward women, is that it can normalise misogynistic beliefs and harmful gender stereotypes. As the game advertises, it is a "purely violent fantasy that players get to indulge in". This reinforces toxic and harmful beliefs in men and puts women at serious risk.
In addition to No Mercy, other games have been banned in Australia for similar reasons. Manhunt was banned from sale in the country due to its themes of severe violence at the hands of a death row inmate forced to murder other inmates for entertainment. It fell under the ban for using high-impact violence related to torture. Similarly, Fallout 3 was refused classification due to the use of chems to heighten reflexes and alter gameplay, which the ACB did not agree with due to the age-old connection between substance abuse and gameplay.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia still bans video games. In 2021, the game Disco Elysium was banned, and in 2019, We Happy Few was also banned.
Video games are banned in Australia if they are deemed too inappropriate by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). Games may be refused classification if they contain material unsuitable for an R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use.
Other notable games that have been banned in Australia include Manhunt, Fallout 3, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Hotline Miami 2, and Mortal Kombat.
There have been calls for Australia to move away from the "moral panic" associated with video games and to update its classification system to reflect modern standards. The current system applies a stricter set of rules to video games than other forms of media, such as film and television.
