Compliance for Sale of Publications

Most classification requirements are similar in each of the States and Territories. However, there are some differences. Therefore, 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 of the Attorney-General's Department website.

• Submittable publications that can be sold?
• Classifications, age recommendation and restrictions for publications
• Classification markings for publications

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Submittable publications that can be sold?

All submittable publications (including magazines, calendars etc) must be classified by the Classification Board before they can be sold (whether retail or wholesale) in Australia.

Therefore, unclassified submittable publications, whether locally made or imported, cannot be sold in Australia.

Foreign classifications are not applicable in Australia so imported submittable publications need to be classified by the Australian Classification Board before being offered for sale (whether retail or wholesale).

Publications are classified either, Unrestricted, Category 1 Restricted or Category 2 Restricted.

Publications that have been Refused Classification (RC) cannot be sold in Australia.

For further information about publications that are submittable, refer to How to apply - publications.

Classifications, age recommendation and restrictions for publications

Publications classified Unrestricted do not have any legally enforceable age restriction. Some publications classified Unrestricted may not be recommended for people under 15 years of age.

Category 1 Restricted and Category 2 Restricted publications have legally enforceable age restrictions and are not to be sold to people under 18.

Further information about classification types, symbols and consumer advice for publications is available from the classification pages of the Attorney-General's Department website.

Downloads of approved symbols for use by industry in complying with display requirements are available from the links on the right hand side of this web page.

Unrestricted publications

Unrestricted publications cannot be sold or delivered unless the publication displays the relevant classification marking.

Generally, unrestricted publications do not need to be contained in sealed packaging. However, the Classification Board is empowered to impose this condition.

Category 1 Restricted publications

OR

Category 1 Restricted publications cannot be legally sold in Queensland.

In other jurisdictions, Category 1 Restricted publications are legally restricted and can only be sold to people aged 18 years and over.

A Category 1 Restricted publication cannot be sold or delivered unless it is in a sealed package and the classification markings are displayed on the publications.

If the packaging is opaque, the classification markings must be displayed on both the publication and the packaging.

For further information for magazine retailers refer to Fact sheets and information brochures.

Category 2 Restricted publications

OR

Category 2 Restricted publications cannot be legally sold in Queensland.

In other jurisdictions, Category 2 Restricted publications are legally restricted and can only be sold to people aged 18 years and over.

A Category 2 Restricted publication cannot be sold or delivered unless the classification markings are displayed on the publication and it is delivered in opaque packaging.

In the ACT, NSW, Northern Territory, South Australia and Victoria, Category 2 Restricted publications can only be displayed for sale and sold in a restricted publications area. There are conditions applicable to the construction and management of a restricted publications area.

In Tasmania and Western Australia, Category 2 Restricted publications can be sold in an area that is not restricted, provided certain conditions are met with regard to their display and delivery. In Western Australia, a retailer needs to be registered with the WA Censorship Office before they can sell Category 2 Restricted publications.

For further information for magazine retailers refer to Fact sheets and information brochures.

Classification markings for publications

Publications that are delivered or sold must display the classification markings and consumer advice relevant to the publication.

It is an offence to publish a publication with a marking that indicates or suggests the publication has been classified when it has not, or with a marking that indicates or suggests it has a different classification to that determined by the Classification Board. "Publish" includes to distribute, display or offer for sale or sell.

The Classification (Markings for Publications) Determination 2007 prescribes the classification markings and how they are to be displayed on the covers and packaging of publications.

The overriding requirement is that classification markings are to be clearly legible and that their typeface be prominently and easily distinguishable from the background.

You can download the publications Classification Markings from this website in both .jpeg and .eps formats.

Please note: for restricted publications there are two options.