As a parent or carer, you are the best person to decide which films and computer games are ok for your child to watch and play. You know what your child can understand and cope with, and the types of content that might upset them or cause concern for you.
Ratings information can help you choose the right content for your child. Parental controls can also help you limit access to inappropriate content.
Check the rating and consumer advice
Classification markings are the ratings symbols on films and computer games which will tell you what rating the film or computer game has been given and give advice about the strongest content. You can find out more about ratings and consumer advice in What do the ratings mean?
Ratings and consumer advice are also shown on DVDs, Blu-ray and computer game packaging, on streaming services, and online game storefronts. Advertising in catalogues, cinema posters, newspapers and websites also displays this information.
More information
You can find extra help on choosing the right content through the ‘more information’ feature on the classification database. It gives a summary of the content and details of issues that may be of concern such as drug use, sex, nudity, violence, language or themes.
This information is currently only available for new cinema releases. Search for a title and select the ‘more information’ drop-down menu towards the bottom of the title page.
Why this classification?
You can find out why a film or computer game has received a certain classification by looking it up on the Australian Classification website. We provide a detailed overview for every film and computer game of the type of content present (drugs, sex, nudity, violence, language or themes) and what the level of impact is.
Use parental controls
Parental controls help you limit the kind of content your child can access. All major computer game consoles and most streaming services provide age-based parental controls. Many allow you to block access to content based on the classification rating.
The e-Safety Commissioner has more information on parental controls and how to use them.
Teachers
What is suitable for students to see and play at school?
Films and computer games may be used in schools as educational resources. Whether a particular film or computer game is ok for your students will depend on their age and your school’s policies.
You can use classification markings and consumer advice to decide what content is suitable.
