Films and computer games exempt from classification

Some films and computer games are exempt from the usual classification requirements.

These exemptions are outlined in section 6B of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995.

Is it exempt?

To be exempt from classification, your film or computer game must:

fit within one of the exempt categories of ‘films' or ‘games' listed below
not have any content likely to be classified M or higher if it were submitted for classification—including advertising for classified films or computer games
not have any advertising for unclassified films or computer games which have been assessed as likely to be M or higher

Categories of exempt films

Item	Type	Description
1	Business	A film of a promotional, technical or similar nature for use in the course of a business or trade.
2	Accounting	A film for use in the keeping or verification of accounts.
3	Professional	A film of a promotional, technical or similar nature for use in the course of a profession.
4	Scientific	A film for use pursuant to a branch of knowledge conducted on objective principles involving the systemised observation of, and experiment with, phenomena.
5	Educational	A film whose main purpose is for training, instruction or reference, as a manual, a lesson, an encyclopaedia or a guide.
6	Current affairs	A film wholly or mainly comprising news reports or information about, or analysis of, current issues or events of public interest or importance.
7	Hobbyist	A film wholly or mainly comprising a documentary record of a hobby or activity.
8	Sporting	A film wholly or mainly comprising a documentary record of a sporting event.
9	Family	A film wholly or mainly comprising a documentary record of a family event or activity.
10	Live performance	A film wholly or mainly comprising a documentary record of a live artistic performance or that is used within such a performance.
11	Musical presentation	A film wholly or mainly comprising a musical presentation.
12	Religious	A film wholly or mainly comprising a documentary record of a religious event or activity.
13	Community or cultural	A film wholly or mainly comprising a documentary record of a community or cultural activity or event.
14	Social sciences	A film wholly or mainly comprising information about, or analysis of, subjects referring to the social sciences.
15	Natural history	A natural history film, or any film depicting wholly or mainly natural scenery.

Social sciences means the following fields:

economics
geography
anthropology, or
linguistics

Categories of exempt computer games

Item	Type	Description
1	Business	Software for use in the course of a business or trade.
2	Accounting	Software for use in the keeping or verification of accounts.
3	Professional	Software for use in the course of a profession.
4	Scientific	Software for use pursuant to a branch of knowledge conducted on objective principles involving the systemised observation of, and experiment with, phenomena.
5	Educational	Software whose main purpose is for training, instruction or reference, as a manual, a lesson, an encyclopaedia or a guide.

Assessing a film or computer game as exempt

You can assess your content as exempt against the criteria and distribute it without submitting it to the Classification Board.

The Classification Board does not assess content as being exempt. It also does not give formal advice regarding the exemption criteria for specific products.

Labelling an exempt film or computer game

No official exempt marking

If you have self-assessed your film or computer game, there is no official exempt marking you can use for your product.

Exempt message

You can mark self-assessed exempt films and computer games by displaying the message:

'this film/computer game is exempt from classification'