Version 1

URI: http://www.movielabs.com/md/ratings/AU/ACMA/1
Last verified: 2020-01-16

Organization:

  • Name: Australian Communications and Media Authority
  • Type of Organization: Gov
  • Contact Information:
    Level 5 The Bay Centre, 65 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW 2009 PO Box Q500, Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230 Tel: 02 9334 7700 Fax 02 9334 7799
  • Web Site: http://www.acma.gov.au/

Scope:

This rating system has been adopted in these regions for the specified usage:

Region Distribution media Viewing Environments
AUSTRALIA - TV - - Broadcast -

Notes:


Ratings:

XML formatted file



Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 3

Localized Definitions

The General (G) Classification ( EN )

Material classified G is not necessarily intended for children but it must be very mild in impact and must not contain any matter likely to be unsuitable for children to watch without supervision. All elements must be justified by context.

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

Violence: Depictions of physical and psychological violence must be very restrained. The use of weapons, threatening language, sounds or special effects must have a very low sense of threat or menace, must be infrequent and must not show violent activity to be acceptable or desirable.
Sex: Depictions of, and verbal references to, sexual activity must be brief, infrequent, and contain little or no detail.
Nudity: Restrained, brief and infrequent visual depiction of nudity only when absolutely necessary to the story line or program context.
Language: Very mild coarse language considered socially offensive or discriminatory may only be used infrequently when absolutely justified by the story line or program context.
Drugs: Depictions of, or verbal reference to, illegal drugs must be absolutely justified by the story line or program context, contain very little detail and be handled with care. The program must not promote or encourage drug use in any way. The use of legal drugs must also be handled with care.
Suicide: Only limited and careful verbal reference to suicide is acceptable, when absolutely justified by the story line or program context, and provided that it is not presented as romantic, heroic, alluring or normal.
Themes: Themes dealing with social or domestic conflict must have a very low sense of threat or menace to children.
Dangerous imitable activity: Dangerous imitable activity should only be shown when absolutely justified by the story line or program context, and then only in ways which do not encourage dangerous imitation.
Other: Music, special effects and camera work may be used to create an atmosphere of tension or fear, but the overall impact should be very mild.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 4

Localized Definitions

The Parental Guidance Recommended (PG) Classification ( EN )

Material classified PG may contain adult themes or concepts but must be mild in impact and remain suitable for children to watch with supervision. All elements must be justified by context.

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

Violence: Depictions of violence must be inexplicit and restrained. More leeway is permitted when the depiction is stylised and/or unrealistic.
Sex: Depictions of and verbal reference to sexual activity must be restrained.
Nudity: Restrained depictions of nudity are permitted.
Language: Mild or socially offensive coarse language may be used infrequently, when justified by the story line or program context.
Drugs: Depictions of and restrained verbal reference to illegal drug use are permitted, but the program must not promote or encourage illegal use. The use of legal drugs must be handled with care.
Suicide: Visual depiction of and verbal reference to suicide or attempted suicide must be inexplicit and restrained. It must not be presented as the means of achieving a desired result or as an appropriate response to stress, depression or other problems.
Themes: The treatment of social or domestic conflict and psychological themes should be carefully handled. Supernatural or mild horror themes may be included.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 1

Localized Definitions

Children ( EN )

Intended for children under 14

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

A program meets the criteria of suitability for a C program if it: (a) is made specifically for children, or groups of children, of school age; and (b) is entertaining; and (c) is well produced using sufficient resources to ensure a high standard of script, cast, direction, editing, shooting, sound and other production elements; and (d) enhances the understanding and experience of children of school age; and (e) is appropriate for Australian children of school age.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 0

Localized Definitions

Preschool ( EN )

Intended for preschool children

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

A program meets the criteria of suitability for a P program if it: (a) is made specifically for preschool children; and (b) is entertaining; and (c) is well produced using sufficient resources to ensure a high standard of script, cast, direction, editing, shooting, sound and other production elements; and (d) enhances the understanding and experience of preschool children; and (e) is appropriate for Australian preschool children.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 15
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): 15
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): 15

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 6

Localized Definitions

The Mature (M) Classification ( EN )

Material classified M is for mature audiences. It is recommended for viewing only by persons aged 15 years or over. The impact must be moderate (i.e. higher than mild but lower than strong). All elements must be justified by context.

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

Violence: Depictions of violence may be realistically shown only if they are not detailed or prolonged. Any depiction of or verbal reference to violence occurring in a sexual context must be infrequent and restrained, and strictly justified by the story line or program context.
Sex: Depictions of sexual activity may be implied or simulated in a restrained way. Verbal references to sexual activity may be more detailed than depictions if this does not increase the impact.
Nudity: Depictions of nudity are permitted but must not be detailed if in a sexual context.
Language: The use of coarse language is permitted but aggressive or strong coarse language should be infrequent overall.
Drugs: The use of illegal drugs may be shown but the program must not promote or encourage their use.
Suicide: Suicide must not be promoted or encouraged by the program and methods of suicide must not be instructional or shown in realistic detail.
Themes: Most adult themes can be dealt with, but intense adult themes should be handled with care.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 15
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): 15
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): 15

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 80

Localized Definitions

The Mature Audience (MA) Classification ( EN )

Material classified MA is suitable for viewing only by persons aged 15 years or over because of the intensity and/or frequency of violence, sexual depictions, or coarse language, adult themes or drug use. The impact may be strong. All elements must be justified by context.

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

Violence: Realistic depictions may contain some detail, but should not be prolonged and should not be unduly bloody or horrific. Violence occurring in a sexual context may be implied and must not be detailed.
Sex: Depictions of implied sexual activity may contain detail. Non-consenting sexual relations must not be depicted as desirable. Verbal sexual references may be detailed.
Nudity: Depictions of nudity must be justified by the narrative context.
Language: The use of very coarse language must be appropriate to the story line or program context and not overly frequent or impactful.
Drugs: No detailed depiction of intravenous use of illegal drugs. The program must not promote or encourage the use of illegal drugs.
Suicide: Methods of suicide should not be shown in realistic detail. The program must not promote or encourage suicide.
Themes: The treatment of strong adult themes should be justified.