Compliance for advertising films for public exhibition
Most classification requirements are similar in each of the States and Territories. However, there are some differences. The information in this section is provided as a general guide only. You should refer to the relevant State or Territory classification legislation for detailed information.
Links to State and Territory classification legislation are available on the State and Territory Classification legislation page.
A fact sheet has been prepared for cinema managers summarising classification requirements.
Films that can be advertised
Generally, only films that have been classified by the Classification Board or Classification Review Board can be advertised in Australia.
Exceptions to this are:
- Unclassified films and computer games that have been assessed for their likely classification by an Authorised Advertising Assessor (AAA) or by the Classification Board to be advertised prior to classification - see Compliance Requirements for Advertising unclassified films and computer games
- Films that are exempt from the classification due to their content - see Is it Exempt from Classification
- Films that are granted approval to be screened as part of a film festival - Film Festivals and Community Screenings
Films classified G, PG, M, MA 15+ and R 18+ may be advertised in all States and Territories.
Films classified X 18+ can be advertised in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory (NT) provided certain conditions are met. For example, the advertising must be exhibited in a restricted publications area to which only people aged 18 and over are permitted to enter or the advertisement is published in a publication that is in sealed packaging with a warning that sexually explicit advertising is contained.
Films that are Refused Classification (RC) cannot be advertised.
Restrictions for screening trailers
Film advertising (trailers) for a classified film can only be publicly exhibited with a feature film of the same or higher classification.
That is:
- Film advertising for G films can be screened with all films
- Film advertising for PG films can only be screened with PG, M, MA 15+ or R 18+ films
- Film advertising for M films can only be screened with M, MA 15+ or R 18+ films
- Film advertising for MA 15+ films can only be screened with MA 15+ or R 18+ films
- Film advertising for R 18+ films can only be screened with R 18+ or X18+ films.
- Film advertising for X 18+ films can only be screened with X 18+ films (only in ACT and NT).
Films that are unclassified or Refused Classification (RC) cannot be advertised.
There are restrictions on screening trailers for MA15+ and R18+ films in a public place In the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and NT.
Requirements for marking session times and different types of advertising
Classification marking requirements are summarised on the classification markings section of this website.
The Classification (Markings for Films and Computer Games) Determination 2009 prescribes the classification markings and how they are to be displayed on advertising matter such a trailers, TVCs, print and Internet advertising.