Lyla Lindsey
Australia has banned a variety of things, including certain video games. Under Australian law, all media intended for retail display must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). If the ACB deems the content too inappropriate, it may be refused classification (RC) and banned from sale, hire, or public exhibition. Australia has also banned members of certain political parties from overseas business trips. For example, in 2025, the German state of Hesse banned members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party from participating in foreign business trips after the party was declared a right-wing extremist organization. In addition, Australia has also imposed bans related to politics and elections. For instance, in the 2025 Australian national election, Anthony Albanese secured a second term as Prime Minister, defeating the conservative Liberal Party, which had proposed a ban on public servants working from home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Banned video games | Refused Classification (RC) rating |
| Banned video games | R18+ rating |
| Banned video games | MA15+ rating |
| Political Party | Trumpet of Patriots |
| Political Party | Liberal Party |
| Political Party | Labor Party |
| Prime Minister | Anthony Albanese |
| Opposition Leader | Peter Dutton |
| Senator | Jacinta Nampijinpa Price |
| Germany's right-wing extremist organisation | Alternative for Germany (AfD) |
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What You'll Learn
Video games refused classification by the ACB
Under Australian law, 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 and placing it on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items. Any copies of such works found at the border will be seized, and the recipient may receive fines of up to A$110,000.
Before the introduction of the R18+ classification for video games in 2013, games with content deemed fitting for the R18+ rating were classified as "Refused Classification". With the R18+ rating in place, fewer video games are expected to be given the "Refused Classification" rating. Games may still be refused classification if they are deemed to contain material unsuitable for R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use.
Games refused classification by the ACB are banned for sale, hire, or public exhibition, carrying a maximum fine of $275,000 and/or 10 years in jail. It is, however, legal to possess RC games (except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory). Some games were banned before the introduction of the R18+ category, and if some of these games were to be re-rated today, they would likely receive the R18+ rating.
The worldwide edition of some games has been banned for sale in Australia because they have been refused classification or had their classification revoked. Games in this list with a current classification are available for purchase in a censored or altered form.
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Public servants working from home
In the lead-up to the 2025 Australian federal election, the Liberal-National Coalition, led by opposition leader Peter Dutton, proposed a plan to restrict working from home for public sector employees. The policy was part of a package of measures aimed at improving efficiency in the public sector, which also included thousands of job cuts.
The plan, first floated in early March, was for all members of the Australian Public Service (APS) to work from the office five days a week. The Coalition's public service spokesperson, Jane Hume, stated in a speech that only work-from-home arrangements that "work for the employee's department, their team, and the individual" would be permitted.
However, the proposal faced significant backlash, with critics arguing that ending work-from-home arrangements would disproportionately impact women. In response to the criticism, Dutton initially insisted that the policy would only apply to Canberra-based staff, and denied that there would be any forced redundancies. He accused the incumbent Labor government of running a "scare campaign" and misrepresenting the policy.
Nevertheless, as the election approached, Dutton and the Coalition ultimately backed down on the plan, admitting that they had made a mistake and apologising for it. They abandoned the idea of restricting work-from-home arrangements and instead committed to enshrining flexible working policies in future workplace agreements.
The reversal of the policy was seen as a significant moment in the election campaign, with Labor seizing on it to portray Dutton as inconsistent and unreliable. The election resulted in a victory for Labor, with Anthony Albanese securing a second term as prime minister.
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US beef imports (disputed)
In 2003, Australia suspended imports of US beef in response to an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease. In 2015, a risk assessment of the US granted it category 1 status, concluding that the country had adequate controls to prevent BSE outbreaks and contamination in the human food chain. Category 1 countries are permitted to import fresh and processed beef into Australia, provided they meet certain conditions.
In 2019, the ban was technically lifted, subject to an ongoing biosecurity review. However, US beef imports have not resumed due to concerns about the traceability of cattle. Specifically, the US imports a significant number of cattle from Canada and Mexico, and there are doubts about whether these cattle are traceable. This issue has been referred to as a “quasi-ban” by some commentators.
The US has requested to expand its access to the Australian market to include beef products sourced from cattle legally imported from Mexico and Canada. This request is currently under assessment by Australia.
It is important to note that Australia has not imported beef from the US since 2005. Despite this, Australian industry representatives maintain that the US has had access to the Australian market since 2019, provided the beef comes from cattle born, raised, and slaughtered in the US.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Australia bans American beef, despite these facts. In response, Australian red meat industry leaders have branded these claims as inaccurate.
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MAGA-style political campaigning
In recent years, Australia has witnessed a wave of MAGA-style political campaigning, with some politicians adopting similar rhetoric and policies as those seen in the United States under former President Donald Trump. This trend has sparked intense debates and influenced election outcomes, as seen in the recent victory of Anthony Albanese, who secured a second term as Prime Minister by riding on an anti-Trump wave.
MAGA-Style Slogans and Rhetoric:
One of the most prominent examples of MAGA-style campaigning in Australia is the use of slogans reminiscent of Trump's "Make America Great Again." Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a Liberal senator for the Northern Territory, attracted attention with her comment that her party would "make Australia great again." Price was even photographed wearing a MAGA cap, further drawing comparisons to Trump's campaign. These actions fueled discussions among political analysts and the public about the influence of Trump-like rhetoric in Australian politics.
Policy Proposals:
MAGA-style campaigning in Australia goes beyond slogans. Dutton, the leader of the conservative Liberal Party, proposed a short-lived policy to ban public servants from working from home, which drew parallels to Trump's policies. Additionally, the Liberals' campaign promises included a focus on law and order, with Dutton's reputation for being tough on crime and immigration. These policy positions echo the conservative and law-and-order themes emphasized by Trump during his presidency.
Impact on Elections:
The influence of MAGA-style campaigning has had a significant impact on election results in Australia. In the most recent election, Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party secured a historic victory, widely attributed to voters' concerns about the influence of Trumpism in Australian politics. The election was seen as a referendum on Trump-style politics, with Albanese emphasizing that his government would "choose the Australian way" and not "beg, borrow, or copy from anywhere else." The result echoed the fate of Canada's conservatives, who also faced electoral losses due to a Trump backlash.
Minor Parties Inspired by Trump:
Trump-inspired minor parties have also emerged in Australia, such as the Trumpet of Patriots, which attracted a small but notable percentage of the vote. These parties promote policies and ideas influenced by Trumpism, further injecting MAGA-style politics into the Australian political landscape.
In conclusion, MAGA-style political campaigning has had a noticeable impact on Australian politics. While some politicians and parties have adopted Trump-like rhetoric and policies, the recent election results suggest that a majority of Australian voters are wary of Trumpism. The victory of Albanese and the rejection of Trump-style campaigning in Australia highlight the country's desire to forge its own path and maintain its unique political identity.
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R18+ rating for violent or drug-related video games
In Australia, all media intended for retail display must be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). A work deemed too inappropriate 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.
Originally, video games within Australia were only rated up to the MA15+ rating. At the time, the R18+ classification rating could only be given to films. However, a video game with content deemed fitting for the R18+ rating could be classified as "Refused Classification" and banned for sale.
In 2011, all Australian state Attorneys-General except the New South Wales state Attorney-General agreed to instate an R18+ rating for video games, which would be available by the end of 2011. The date was later changed to allow the rating to be introduced at the beginning of 2013. With the R18+ rating in place, it is expected that fewer video games will be given the Refused Classification rating. Games may still be refused classification if deemed to contain material unsuitable for R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use, as well as drug use related to incentives and rewards.
Despite the introduction of the R18+ classification, some journalists continue to link video games with violence and drug use. Some people believe that violent media can influence people's thoughts, attitudes, and behaviour, and that it is inappropriate for minors. However, others argue that there is no factual causation between violent crimes and the media consumed, and that other factors, such as mental illness, are at play.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has banned several video games that have been refused classification by the ACB or where a classification has been revoked. Games deemed too inappropriate by the ACB are banned from being sold at retail and placed 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 or the promotion of illegal drug use.
No, Australia did not ban US beef. However, in 2025, US President Donald Trump claimed that Australia banned American beef when announcing a range of tariffs on Australian imports. The Australian Department of Agriculture confirmed that there is no ban on importing US beef, provided it meets import conditions.
In 2025, Australia's Anthony Albanese of the Labor Party claimed victory in the national election, securing a second term as prime minister. His victory was powered by voters' concerns about the influence of US President Donald Trump and the cost of living crisis. The conservative Liberal Party, led by Peter Dutton, conceded defeat.
Australia did not ban anything directly related to Trump. However, there were comparisons made between Trump's policies and those of the Liberal Party during the 2025 election, which negatively impacted the Liberals' campaign. For example, Dutton's short-lived policy to ban public servants from working from home was criticised.
