Compliance for Cinemas and Other Public Exhibitors
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 from the classification pages Attorney-General's Department website.
A fact sheet has been prepared for cinema managers summarising classification requirements.
- Films that can be publicly exhibited
- Age recommendations and restrictions for publicly exhibited films
- Displaying the correct classification notice
- Further Information
Films that can be publicly exhibited
Generally, only films that have been classified by the Classification Board or Classification Review Board can be publicly exhibited in Australia. The film can only be exhibited under the same title and in the form that it was classified.
Exceptions to this are:
- Films that are exempt from 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 – see Film Festivals and Community Screenings.
Films classified G, PG, M, MA 15+ and R 18+ may be publicly exhibited in all States and Territories X18+ films can be screened in restricted premises in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Northern Territory (NT) provided certain conditions are met.
Films that are refused classification (RC) cannot be publicly exhibited in Australia.
In the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, it is an offence to screen a MA 15+ film so that it can be seen from a public place other than the place where the film is being screened.
In Tasmania an R 18+ film cannot be screened if it can be seen from a public place. In addition, in the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, it is an offence to screen an R 18+ film so that it can be seen from a public place other than the place where the film is being screened.
For a cinema manager's fact sheet see – Fact sheets.
Age recommendations and restrictions for publicly exhibited films
G: There are no legal restrictions on the screening of films classified G.
PG: There are no legal restrictions on the screening of films classified PG. It should be remembered however, that films classified PG are not recommended for people under 15 without guidance from a parent or guardian.
M: There are no legal restrictions on the screening of films classified M. It should be remembered however, that films classified M are not recommended for people under 15 years as these contain content that is recommended for a mature audience.
MA15+: In all States and Territories (except Queensland) it is an offence to exhibit an MA15+ film if a person aged under 15 years is present and they are not accompanied by their parent or adult guardian. In Queensland, a person aged between 2 and under 15 cannot be admitted to a MA15+ film unless they are accompanied by an adult.
R18+: In all States and Territories (except Queensland) a R18+ film cannot be exhibited in a public place in the presence of a person who is under 18 years. In Queensland, people aged between 2 and under 18 cannot be admitted to a R18+ film. In addition, in Tasmania a R18+ film cannot be screened if it can be seen from a public place.
For a factsheet for cinemas on the M, MA15+ and R18+ classifications see – Fact sheets.
X18+: Films classified X 18+ can be legally exhibited in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory provided certain conditions are met. For example, they can only be exhibited in a restricted publications area to which only people aged 18 and over are permitted to enter. There are conditions applicable to the construction and management of a restricted publications area.
Displaying the correct classification notice
A notice, in a form approved by the Director of the Classification Board, which lists the film and computer game classifications, must be displayed in a prominent place where films are being publicly exhibited.
Classification notices are available from the Approved Notices page.
Further information
Information about ongoing policy and operational initiatives is also available from classification pages of the Attorney-General's Department website.