OFLC

Australia’s Classification History

The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) was the name of the Australian federal government body responsible for classifying films, video games, and publications from its establishment in 1970 until its name was changed in 2006. While the acronym OFLC is still sometimes used colloquially, the body is now officially known simply as the Classification Board. It operates as part of a co-regulatory scheme with the Australian states and territories, with its decisions administered by the Attorney-General’s Department.

The Australian Classification System

The board’s primary function is to provide consumers with information about the content of media to allow them to make informed choices. It does not have a direct censorship role, but its ‘Refused Classification’ (RC) rating effectively bans a product from being sold, hired, or legally exhibited in Australia. The main ratings are:

• G (General): Suitable for everyone.
• PG (Parental Guidance): Recommended for children under 15 with parental guidance.
• M (Mature): Recommended for mature audiences (15 years and over).
• MA 15+ (Mature Accompanied): Legally restricted to persons 15 years and over. A person under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
• R 18+ (Restricted): Legally restricted to adults (18 years and over).
• X 18+ (Restricted): Legally restricted to adults; only applies to sexually explicit content and is only available for home video in certain territories.

It is important to note that New Zealand also had an agency named the OFLC, which is a separate entity with its own distinct rating system.