Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a reputation for censorship, with a long history of banning books, films, video games, and websites. This is due to the country's strict classification laws, which require all six of Australia's state Attorneys-General to unanimously agree to any changes. The Australian Classification Board, founded in 1970, has refused classification to many works, effectively banning them from sale in the country. This has led to international developers lobbying the government for change, as Australia's guidelines for classifying media are often out of step with what is considered acceptable in other countries. While some Australians argue that censorship is negligible and that the issue is blown out of proportion by foreigners, others point to instances of federal police raiding media outlets and the homes of journalists as evidence of the country's restrictive laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of censorship | Censorship in Australia dates back to the 19th century, with book censorship being in place since then. |
| Strict laws | Australia has strict laws regarding censorship, with certain films, books, and video games effectively banned from sale due to "refused classification" by the Australian Classification Board. |
| Lack of protection for press freedom | Australia's constitution does not explicitly protect press freedom, although journalists can generally cover controversial topics without serious repercussions. |
| Government raids | In 2019, federal police raided the offices of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the home of a political editor, seeking evidence against leaks of sensitive government information. |
| Gag orders | In some cases, gag orders have been issued to prevent the publishing of articles or reporting on certain legal proceedings, such as the high-profile international corruption case in 2014. |
| Video game bans | Australia has banned several video games that are available elsewhere, due to violence, sexual content, and drug use. |
| Conservative rating system | Australia's rating system for media content is considered conservative and slow to change, which has led to criticism and workarounds by consumers. |
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What You'll Learn
Video games banned for adult content
Australia has a history of banning video games with adult content, with the Australian Classification Board (ACB) reviewing all media intended for retail display and assigning maturity ratings or refusing classification. Games refused classification are banned for sale, hire, or public exhibition, carrying hefty fines and potential jail time.
Before 2011, video games in Australia could only receive a rating of up to MA15+, while films could receive an R18+ rating. This discrepancy led to some video games with adult content being refused classification and effectively banned, even if their content would have been deemed suitable for an R18+ rating. In 2011, the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games aimed to reduce the number of games refused classification.
Video games may still be refused classification if they contain material deemed unsuitable for an R18+ audience, such as depictions of sexual violence, promotion of illegal drug use, or detailed instructions in matters of crime or violence. Games that fall into this category include Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which was re-rated and recalled due to a hidden sex minigame, and Negligee: Love Stories, which was not released in Australia due to explicit sexual content and nudity.
The ACB's guidelines state that "adults should be able to read, hear, and see what they want," but in practice, many video games are banned or given restricted classifications due to their potential to offend certain segments of the population. This has resulted in a list of banned or restricted games that are available for purchase in a censored or altered form.
The impact of these bans can be significant, with individuals facing fines of up to A$110,000 for importing refused classification games into Australia. Additionally, the ACB's decisions can influence the availability of certain video games worldwide, as publishers may choose to release censored or altered versions of their games to comply with Australian regulations.
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Strict broadcasting censorship
Australia has a long history of strict broadcasting censorship, particularly when it comes to video games, films, and books. The country has a conservative rating system that can lead to the banning of certain media content.
In the case of video games, Australia has been known to ban games that feature explicit violence, sexual content, or drug use. For example, the game "Hotline Miami 2" was banned in Australia due to an implied sexual assault scene, and "Fallout 3" was banned due to instances of drug use. It is important to note that the absence of an R18+ rating for video games until 2013 meant that any game without a Classification Board rating could not be sold in the country. This effectively banned games that were intended for adult audiences but did not fall within the MA15+ rating.
Similarly, certain films and books have been refused classification and effectively banned from sale in Australia due to their explicit violent or sexual content. Norman Lindsay's "Redheap" was the first book banned from import into Australia in 1930, and D.H. Lawrence's "The Trial of Lady Chatterley" was also banned until it was locally published in Sydney in 1965.
Australia's censorship laws have evolved over time, and there have been efforts to challenge and reform them. In the 1960s, activists challenged book censorship by locally publishing banned books, and in the early 1970s, Don Chipp, the federal Minister of Customs and Excise, largely ended censorship of printed material. However, Australia's classification laws can only be amended if all six state Attorneys-General unanimously agree to the changes, which can be a challenging process.
In summary, Australia's strict broadcasting censorship, particularly in the areas of video games, films, and books, has resulted in the banning of content that may be readily available in other countries. This is due to the country's conservative rating system and the challenging process of amending classification laws. However, there have been efforts to reform these laws and challenge censorship in the country.
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Book censorship
Over the years, Australia has banned or restricted numerous books, including well-known titles such as "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis, "The Anarchist Cookbook" by William Powell, and "The Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio. The most common reason for banning books in Australia was the label of "obscenity," often used to suppress LGBTQIA+ content and works deemed to promote or glorify violence, sex, and crime. For example, "The Naked Lunch" by William S. Burroughs was banned from 1960 to 1973 due to its depiction of homosexuality and drug culture.
In recent years, there has been a rise in "shadow banning," where books are not officially banned but are removed from public access due to controversial topics. This has been accompanied by protests and threats of violence, particularly in Western Australia. Additionally, there has been a growing number of challenges to books, with 155 individual challenges across Australia in 2024, mostly targeting books with diverse characters or authorship.
While some bans have been overturned, Australia continues to grapple with book censorship, as seen in the recent case of "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe, which faced a protracted legal battle before being rated M Unrestricted in 2025. The decision-making power of councils and boards regarding book bans has also raised concerns about inclusivity and representation in literature.
While it is not illegal to read banned books in Australia, the acquisition of such books can be difficult due to import and sales restrictions.
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Media gag orders
Australia has a history of censorship laws and media gag orders, also known as suppression orders. These orders are issued by judges to restrict the publication of information related to criminal proceedings, often to avoid influencing jurors or to protect the identities of victims and children. Gag orders can also be used to prevent the publication of sensitive information, such as that concerning national security or ongoing criminal investigations.
In the digital age, the global nature of the internet has blurred the lines of jurisdiction, and Australian judges have threatened websites and journalists based outside the country with contempt of court if they violate Australian gag orders. This has sparked debates about the fairness of gag orders and the public's right to information.
One notable example of a media gag order in Australia involved the trial of Cardinal George Pell, who was charged with sexual molestation. Chief Judge Peter Kidd issued a suppression order, preventing Australian media outlets from reporting on the trial, including the testimony, charges, and verdict. The order was intended to prevent prejudice against jurors in Cardinal Pell's second trial, which involved similar allegations. Despite the gag order, international news sources reported on the story, and Australian media companies were accused of breaking the order.
Another instance of a media gag order in Australia occurred in 2014 when the Supreme Court of Victoria issued a blanket gag order on the reporting of a high-profile international corruption case. The order prevented the publishing of articles regarding bribes presented to high-ranking officials of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam by senior executives of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
While media gag orders are not unique to Australia, as examples from Israel, India, and Myanmar demonstrate, their use has sparked debates about the balance between an individual's right to know and the potential harm caused by certain information becoming public.
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Internet censorship
Australia has a history of strict censorship laws, which have been described as \"draconian". In recent years, the country has made efforts to censor the internet, with varying levels of success.
In 2008, the governing Australian Labor Party proposed extending internet censorship to include mandatory filtering of overseas websites. This sparked some controversy, as it was seen as an attempt to censor the entire World Wide Web, not just Australian websites. In 2009, a list of banned websites was leaked online, and it was revealed that some Australian-hosted websites had been issued with take-down notices. In one case, a website simply moved its hosting to a server in the United States and updated its DNS records, so consumers may not have noticed any change.
In 2010, the website of the Australian Sex Party was banned from within several state and federal government departments, including the Australian Communications & Media Authority. The ban was described as \"unconstitutional\" by the convenor of the party, Fiona Patten.
In 2013, it was discovered that over 1,200 websites had been censored by certain Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This was due to a censorship order by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), which was targeting a fraud website. The block was subsequently lifted, and ASIC revealed that it had used its censorship powers 10 times in the preceding 12 months.
In 2024, Australia threatened to fine social media companies up to 5% of their global revenue for failing to prevent the spread of misinformation. This move was criticised by free speech advocates, who argued that it gave the Australian Communications and Media Authority too much power to determine what constituted misinformation.
In addition to these examples, Australia has also passed laws that make it illegal to use the internet to discuss suicide or to host content that documents \"abhorrent violent conduct\".
While some may argue that these measures are necessary to protect Australians from harmful content, others believe that they infringe on free speech and set a dangerous precedent for censorship worldwide.
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