Classification Branch

​Classification Branch

The Classification Branch is a Branch of the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department which is co-located with the Classification Board in Sydney.  The Classification Branch provides operational and policy advice on classification issues to the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, provides secretariat services to the Classification Board and the Classification Review Board, operates the Classification Liaison Scheme and provides classification training for both Boards, industry and government.

The Applications Section of the Classification Branch provides a range of administrative support services to ensure the smooth running of the classification process.  These include receiving and processing applications, maintaining a public information database, liaising with clients, storing and securing materials and records. The Section also administers the film festival exemption scheme.

The Executive Support Section provides a broad range of financial and information technology support, as well as general office services.  Financial and office support services include appropriation and budget management, payment of account, receipts management, asset control, purchasing and general building services.

The Training and Communications Section provides classification training services for the Classification Board, the Classification Review Board, industry and other government agencies.  The Section processes correspondence and manages media enquiries for the Boards. 

The Policy Section provides policy advice on classification matters to the Minister for Justice.

The Classification Liaison Scheme (CLS), is a joint Australian Government, State and Territory initiative to assist retailers and distributors of publications, films and computer games to comply with their legal obligations under the National Classification Scheme. The Classification Liaison Scheme supports the work of State and Territory police and enforcement agencies.  Classification Liaison officers check on compliance with classification laws through a program of site visits.  They also investigate complaints about alleged breaches of classification legislation and provide advice on the sale, display, labelling or advertising of products and other related matters.