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Application process

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The application process for classification is very similar for films, computer games and publications.

You can apply to the Classification Board if you want them to give your content a classification (rating) and consumer advice.

Applications are either:

  • Standard – made within 20 days
  • Priority – made within 5 days (requires an additional fee).

You can find the specific fees, application requirements, and other details, in the relevant sections:

Before you apply

Check if the content has a classification

We classify films, computer games and publications.

All classification decisions are published on the National Classification Database (NCD). 

Using the Classification Portal

The Classification Portal allows you to apply for classification online. In the portal, you can:

  • submit your application online
  • upload your media content and support documents
  • track your application’s progress
  • register festivals and events
  • view your account balance , and
  • make credit card payments.

Set up an account

You can create an account directly in the Classification Portal.

If your details have changed since you last lodged an application, please update your account via the Classification Portal.

Accessibility Support

If you have any issues accessing the Portal to create or submit applications, please contact the applications support team. Our support team can fully assist, including entering data on your behalf, as part of our commitment to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) international standard.

Providing Media

You can provide a copy of the content to be classified:

  • as a digital asset uploaded to Box Cloud Storage (Box) on the portal
  • via a link to an online version, and
  • a physical copy of the content delivered to our office.

Uploading digital content

We recommend you upload your film and computer game content on the portal using Box.

Box provides a secure and easy option for submitting content. 

Download the Box Platform – user guide

You can upload content to Box via the portal, or use the direct to Box upload link: Australian Classification Board – Box upload

Below are examples of the recommended naming conventions for Box media uploads:

Single file (feature films, gameplay footage, TV specials etc)
Multi-episode (TV Series, Bonus Features, two-part Bollywood Films, etc)
Film: T24-0000 – Film Title – Applicant Organisation Name
Game: T24-0000 – Game Title – Gameplay Footage – Applicant Organisation Name
  T24-0000 – Game Title – Game Build – Applicant Organisation Name
Television: T24-0000 – Series Name – Season Number – Episode Number – Applicant Organisation Name (This type can be abbreviated , for example S1 E1)
Bonus Content: T24-0000 – Feature Title – Bonus Content – Content Type (Feature Commentary, Featurette, trailer etc) – Applicant Organisation Name
Film: T24-0000 – Feature Title – Part Number – Applicant Organisation Name

Additional requirements:

  • The title should be in Sentence Case unless the film title is usually in UPPER CASE.
  • The file number format T24/0000 should not be used. A hyphen (-) should be used in place of forward slash (/). Special characters cannot be used in file names.

Providing physical media

You can provide physical copies of media if you prefer.

In the portal, select the option ‘submit physical media’ on your application. You will then need to organise delivery of the media to the relevant address.

If you are providing physical media, we require:

  • a complete and final copy of the film in DCP, DVD or Blu-ray format
  • Key Delivery Messages (KDM) or DCP keys if relevant
    • contact us to find out how to generate DCP keys.
  • a detailed synopsis.

KDMs should provide access to the film for a full working day, from 8:30 am to 5:00pm.

If you cannot provide a KDM that is open for a full working day, contact us to discuss your options. You might need to organise additional access to your film outside the original window.

The screening date will be delayed if DCP media or keys do not work correctly.

Format specifications

Subtitles for non-English original content

If your content is not in English and will be distributed in Australia, it must include English subtitles.

For example:

  • a film with the original language as ‘Spanish’, must include English subtitles if the film is to be distributed in a subtitled format
  • a game with the original language as ‘English’, where some characters or scenes use a different language, must include English subtitles for those scenes which will feature subtitles in the Australian release.

After you submit an application with your content, if your provided media is not adequately subtitled, we may request that you provide a copy with subtitles.

Credits

Media must include full and final film credits.

Credits are not required as part of gameplay footage for computer game applications, unless the credits contain contentious material.

Watermarks and timecodes

Watermarks and timecodes are not required. If included, they must:

  • be small
  • in one corner of the screen
  • not obscure the content of the film

Watermarks and timecodes may be displayed at either the:
 

a) Top left-hand corner of the screen. b) Top right-hand corner of the screen.
watermark in top left-hand corner of the screen watermark in top right-hand corner of the screen

Region codes

Region codes for DVD and Blu-Ray disc must be for Australia:

  • DVD - Region 4
  • Blu-ray - Region B

Windows PC

USB keys used to deliver films must be formatted for Windows PC.

Fees

We process applications after the fees are paid in full.

The fees are different for each application type.

In limited circumstances, you can make a request for a fee waiver to be granted.

Priority processing

For some applications you can pay an additional fee of $420 to speed up the process. This takes processing time to a maximum of:

  • 2 working days for administration (provided all required materials are supplied)
  • 5 working days for processing

How to pay

You can pay online in the Classification Portal.

Classification decision

Notification

You will be notified of the classification decision. A classification certificate will be issued and available for download from the portal.

Classification decisions are published on the National Classification Database the day after a decision is made.

Timing for decisions:

  • up to 25 working days for a standard application
  • up to 7 working days for a priority application.

Appeal the decision

If you disagree with the classification decision, you can apply for a review by the Classification Review Board.

Withhold a decision

If you require your classification decision to be withheld from being published on the National Classification Database, you can enter an embargo date during the application creation process. You will need to provide a reason for withholding the decision and the date you would like the decision to be published. The date cannot be changed in the portal once the application has been processed .

Withholding a decision is only available when:

  • you apply to the Classification Board, or
  • use an accredited classifier.

Advertising a withheld decision

You cannot advertise films or computer games when their classification decisions are withheld from the National Classification Database . This includes the use of Check the Classification or CTC messaging.

If you are advertising a film or computer game before the embargo date provided in the application, you must contact us to publish the withheld classification decision to the National Classification Database.

If a film or computer game is advertised before the embargo date provided in the application, the embargo will be rendered null and the classification decision will be published.

Please contact us for further information or make a change to a withheld classification decision.

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