Compliance for advertising films for sale or hire
Classification requirements are similar in each of the States and Territories, but there are important 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.
Films that can be advertised
Generally, only films for sale or hire (including DVDs, videos and enhanced CDs) that have been classified by the Classification Board or Classification Review Board can be advertised in Australia.
Exceptions to this are:
- Unclassified files 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. For more information, see Compliance Requirements for Advertising unclassified films and computer games
- Films that are exempt from the classification due to their content. For more information, see Is it Exempt from Classification
There are restrictions on screening trailers for MA15+ and R18+ films in a public place in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Northern Territory (NT).
Films classified X 18+ can be advertised in the ACT and the Northern Territory 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 including trailers on DVD, computer game or music recording?
Film advertising (trailers) for a classified film included on a DVD or video can only be included with a feature film of the same or higher classification.
As a result:
- Film advertising for G films can be included with all films
- Film advertising for PG films can only be included with PG, M, MA 15+ or R 18+ films
- Film advertising for M films can only be included with M, MA 15+ or R 18+ films
- Film advertising for MA 15+ films can only be included with MA 15+ or R 18+ films
- Film advertising for R 18+ films can only be included with R 18+ films
- Film advertising for X 18+ films can only be included with X 18+ films (only in ACT and NT).
Film advertising for an unclassified or Refused Classification film cannot be included on a DVD, video, computer game or music recording.
There are restrictions on screening trailers for MA15+ and R18+ films in a public place in the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory.
Requirements for marking different types of advertising
Classification marking requirements are summarised on the Classification markings page.
The Classification (Markings for Films and Computer Games) Determination 2007 prescribes the classification markings and the how they are to be displayed on advertising matter such as TVCs, print and Internet advertising.
For fact sheets summarising the compliance requirements for television advertising please vist the Fact sheets page.