Statutory Timeframes
What is a Statutory Timeframe?
A statutory timeframe is a rule for how long the Classification Board and Classification Review Board can take when making a decision for the classification of a publication, film or computer game (excluding enforcement applications) or an application for approval of an advertisement.
If the Classification Board or Classification Review Board does not make a decision within the statutory timeframe allowed, reasons must be provided in the Annual Report.
What are the Statutory Timeframes for the Classification Board and Review Board?
The statutory timeframes are set out in the Classification Act.
Classification Board
Under Section 87A, the Classification Board must make a decision on:
- an application for the classification of a publication, film or computer game (other than an enforcement application), or
- an application for approval of an advertisement.
within 20 business days, or within 5 days on payment of a priority fee (priority fees apply to film and computer games only). The time from which the period runs is to be worked out in the way prescribed by the regulations.
More information about timeframes can be found in the How to Apply section.
Classification Review Board
Under Section 87B, the Review Board must make a decision on an application for a review of a decision within 20 business days, or such shorter period as is prescribed by the regulations for the application.
The time from which the period runs is to be worked out in the way prescribed by the regulations.