Damon Mcknight
Australia has a classification system for films, with ratings such as G (General), PG (Parental Guidance), M (Mature), MA 15+ (legally restricted to people aged 15 and over), and R 18+ (legally restricted to adults 18 years and over). The R 18+ rating for films was introduced in Australia to accommodate films containing actual sex scenes, with the film Romance being the first to receive this rating. Australia also has a separate classification system for computer and video games, which initially did not include an R 18+ rating due to opposition from policymakers and concerns about the potential harm to young minds. However, in 2013, an R 18+ rating for video games was implemented, bringing it in line with the film ratings system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Classification Ratings | G (General), PG (Parental Guidance), M (Mature), MA 15+, R 18+, X 18+ |
| R 18+ Rating | Suitable for adults 18 years and over |
| R 18+ Content | Sexually explicit activity including sexual intercourse, other sexual activity between consenting adults, and strong themes, violence, language, drug use, nudity |
| R 18+ Classification History | Introduced for films in 1994, introduced for video games in 2013 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's R 18+ rating for films
Australia has a classification system for films, which helps viewers make informed choices about what to watch. The R 18+ rating, formerly known as SOA (Suitable Only for Adults), is one of the seven categories in the Australian film rating system. It is a legally restricted category, meaning there are legal restrictions on accessing these films. Only adults aged 18 and above can watch films with this rating.
Films with an R 18+ rating contain high-impact content, including sexually explicit activity, sexual intercourse, and other sexual activity between consenting adults. They may also contain graphic violence, strong language, drug use, and nudity. The R 18+ rating ensures that minors are protected from inappropriate content and that adults can make informed choices about the films they view.
The introduction of the R 18+ rating for films in Australia was not without controversy. Some films, such as "Ken Park", an American film about teenagers, were banned due to their explicit sexual content and the depiction of minors, which is a criminal offence in Australia. Protests against the ban were even held, highlighting the differing opinions on the suitability of such films for Australian audiences.
The Australian Classification Board (ACB) is responsible for classifying films and assigning the R 18+ rating. While the R 18+ rating is now well-established for films, it was only introduced for video games in 2013, following opposition from some politicians and concerns about the potential harm to young people due to the interactive nature of games.
It is important to note that the R 18+ rating is distinct from the Refused Classification (RC) category, which refers to films that cannot be sold, hired, advertised, or legally imported into Australia due to their content. The RC rating indicates that a film has been deemed unsuitable for any audience in the country.
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The Australian Classification Board
The ACB's classification system has several restricted categories, prohibiting the sale, exhibition, or use of certain materials to those under a prescribed age. Films with educational or training content may be exempt from classification under specific conditions. Film festivals and institutions may also apply for exemption from classification for screening at a particular event. If the ACB deems that an unclassified work would likely receive an X 18+ rating, they will not grant an exemption for public screening.
The film ratings include G (General), PG (Parental Guidance), M (Mature), MA 15+ (legally restricted to 15+), and R 18+ (legally restricted to adults 18+). The MA 15+ rating indicates the content may include sex scenes and drug use, and viewers may be asked to provide proof of age. The R 18+ rating is for films with explicit sexual content and cannot be viewed by anyone under 18, even with a parent or guardian.
In 1994, a separate classification system was introduced for computer and video games, with stricter guidelines due to their interactive nature. While similar rating names were used, video games did not align with film ratings in practice. In 2005, video and computer games adopted the same classification ratings and restrictions as films, except for the R 18+ and X 18+ ratings. It wasn't until January 1, 2013, that the R 18+ rating was applied to video games in Australia.
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The ban on some films
Australia has a classification system for films, which helps viewers make informed choices about what to watch. The Australian Classification Board determines the ratings for films. While the G (General) rating is suitable for all viewers, the PG (Parental Guidance) rating advises parents to guide their children under 15 through certain content. Films rated M (Mature) are not recommended for children under 15.
The Australian classification system also has several restricted categories, prohibiting the sale, exhibition, or use of certain materials to those below a prescribed age. Films rated MA 15+ are restricted to people 15 and older, and may contain sex scenes and drug use. The R 18+ rating prohibits entry to anyone under 18, even with a guardian. Films with this rating may contain sexually explicit activity, including intercourse.
Some films are refused classification (RC) and cannot be sold, hired, advertised, or legally imported in Australia. Ken Park, an American film featuring a scene of autoerotic asphyxiation, was banned due to the exploitative sexual depiction of minors, which is a criminal offence in Australia. Ninja Scroll, an anime film, originally had the MA 15+ rating, but this was overturned and given an R 18+ rating. Romance, a film featuring short scenes of actual sex, was initially refused classification but later awarded an R 18+ on appeal. This paved the way for actual sex to be included in the R 18+ classification.
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MA 15+ rating
Australia has a classification system for films, video games, and certain publications. The Australian Classification Board is responsible for viewing, classifying, and censoring this content. The classification system has several levels of restricted categories, which prohibit the sale, exhibition, or use of certain materials to those under a prescribed age.
One such classification is MA 15+, which stands for Mature Accompanied. This classification restricts content to individuals aged 15 and over. MA 15+ rated content is described as strong and may include serious themes presented in graphic detail, such as child abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues. Intense violence with a strong impact, gory images, and sadistic acts are also permitted within this rating, provided they are not overly detailed or frequent. Sexual violence may be allowed if it is implied and infrequent or justified by context. Sex scenes are also permissible, provided they are not extremely graphic and are non-interactive. In terms of language, certain words may be used if not excessive or aggressive.
MA 15+ rated films typically belong to the horror, crime, war, or thriller genres. However, some superhero movies, like Deadpool and Logan, also fall into this category due to their higher levels of violence and, in the case of Logan, language. Anime that receives an MA 15+ rating tends to be Seinen (young adult) anime, although some Shonen anime, such as Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer, are also rated MA 15+ due to their violent content and dark themes.
It is important to note that MA 15+ is a legally restricted category. Shops and cinemas are prohibited from selling MA 15+ games or movies to individuals under 15 without a parent or guardian present. A person may be asked to show proof of age before purchasing or viewing MA 15+ content.
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X 18+ rating
Australia has a classification system for films, computer games, and certain publications, with several levels of "restricted" categories. These categories prohibit the sale, exhibition, or use of some materials to those under a prescribed age.
The X 18+ rating is an adults-only classification for films with explicit sexual content, including real depictions of sexual intercourse and other sexual activity between consenting adults. This rating is legally restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Films with this rating cannot be exhibited in public, even at film festivals, and can only be displayed for sale in premises restricted to adults.
The Australian Classification Board (ACB) has proposed extending the X 18+ rating to media content beyond just films and computer games, including magazines and websites. However, the sale of X 18+ films is currently illegal in Australian states, but not in most territories. Magazines with equivalent content are allowed to be sold.
The introduction of the X 18+ rating for video games also faced opposition from the former South Australian Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson, who vetoed attempts to include it. The adults-only R 18+ classification for video games was eventually introduced in 2013, and Netflix was granted permission to self-regulate its content in 2019, allowing ratings between G and R 18+.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia has R-rated movies for individuals 18 years and older. These films contain explicit content such as sexual intercourse, graphic violence, and drug use.
Some R-rated movies in Australia include Ninja Scroll, Romance, and Baise-moi.
Other than R 18+, Australia has the following movie rating categories:
- G (General)
- PG (Parental Guidance)
- M (Mature)
- MA 15+ (legally restricted to people aged 15 and over)
- X 18+ (restricted to adults 18 years and over)
The ratings on films are determined by the Australian Classification Board.
