Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 7 of 1995 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 10 July 2008
taking into account amendments up to Act No.
69 of 2008
[Note: Part 10 ceases to have effect on 18 August 2012, see section 115]
The text of any of those
amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may
be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of
Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney‑General's Department,
Canberra
Contents
Part 1--Preliminary 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1
2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1
3............ Purpose ............................................................................................... 1
4............ Powers and functions under State or Territory laws .......................... 1
5............ Definitions .......................................................................................... 2
5A......... Meaning of computer game ................................................................ 6
5B......... Exempt films and exempt computer games .......................................... 7
6............ Amendments of the Code ................................................................... 8
6A......... Application of the Criminal Code ...................................................... 9
Part 2--Classification 10
Division 1--Preliminary 10
7............ Types of classifications .................................................................... 10
8............ Markings for classifications .............................................................. 11
8A......... Notice about classifications .............................................................. 11
Division 2--Classification of publications, films and computer games 12
9............ Classification in accordance with the Code ...................................... 12
9A......... Refused Classification for publications, films or computer games that advocate terrorist acts 12
10.......... Classifications in writing etc. ............................................................ 13
11.......... Matters to be considered in classification ........................................ 13
12.......... Classification guidelines .................................................................... 13
13.......... Applications for classification of publications ................................. 14
13A....... Conditions of certain classifications for publications ....................... 15
14.......... Applications for classification of films ............................................ 15
14A....... Films consisting only of classified films ........................................... 17
15.......... Discretion of Board .......................................................................... 17
16.......... Board may decline to deal with application if more than one work involved 18
17.......... Applications for classification of computer games .......................... 19
18.......... Considered form of publication, film or computer game to be final . 20
19.......... Screening of films and demonstration of computer games before classification 20
20.......... Board to decide consumer advice for publications, films and computer games 21
21.......... Declassification of classified films or computer games that are modified 22
21A....... Revocation of classification of films or computer games that are found to contain contentious material 22
21AA.... Revocation of classification of films containing additional content .. 23
22.......... Classification of publications, films or computer games containing advertisements 23
22A....... Applications for classification for enforcement purposes ............... 24
22B....... Classification of a publication, film or computer game that may be the same as or similar to a classified item 24
22C....... Validation of Board decisions etc. on applications by law enforcement agencies 25
Division 2A--Assessments of additional content 26
Subdivision A--Additional content assessors 26
22D....... Additional content assessors ............................................................ 26
22E........ Revocation of additional content assessor status ............................. 26
22F........ Barring notice to additional content assessor ................................... 27
22G....... Review by AAT ............................................................................... 27
Subdivision B--Barring notices to applicants 28
22H....... Barring notice to applicant ............................................................... 28
22J........ Review by AAT ............................................................................... 28
Division 3--Submittable publications 29
23.......... Calling in submittable publications for classification ....................... 29
Division 3A--Calling in films 30
23A....... Calling in films for classification ....................................................... 30
Division 4--Calling in computer games 31
24.......... Calling in computer games for classification ..................................... 31
Division 5--Notice of decisions 33
25.......... Classification certificates .................................................................. 33
26.......... Notice of decisions ........................................................................... 33
27.......... Applications for information ............................................................ 34
28.......... When decisions take effect ............................................................... 35
Division 6--Certificates for exempt films or computer games 36
28A....... Application for certificate ................................................................ 36
28B....... Granting certificates .......................................................................... 37
28C....... Revocation of certificate ................................................................... 37
Part 3--Approval of advertisements 38
Division 1--Approval of general advertisements 38
29.......... Approval of advertisements ............................................................. 38
30.......... Calling in advertisements .................................................................. 39
Division 2--Advertising for unclassified films 41
31.......... Definitions ........................................................................................ 41
32.......... Certificates of exemption .................................................................. 41
33.......... Granting of certificates of exemption ............................................... 41
34.......... Board may refuse certificate ............................................................. 42
35.......... Conditions of exemptions ................................................................. 42
36.......... Revocation of exemptions ................................................................ 42
37.......... Review of decision not to grant exemption ...................................... 42
Part 4--Reclassification 43
38.......... Limit on reclassification .................................................................... 43
39.......... Reclassification etc. after 2 years ..................................................... 43
40.......... Notice of intention to reclassify etc. ................................................ 44
41.......... Consideration of submissions ........................................................... 44
Part 5--Review of decisions 45
42.......... The persons who may apply for review .......................................... 45
42A....... Review Board may refuse to deal with certain applications ............ 46
43.......... Applications for review .................................................................... 46
44.......... Dealing with applications ................................................................. 46
44A....... Obtaining copies for review .............................................................. 47
44B....... Validation of Review Board decisions etc. in relation to decisions on applications by law enforcement agencies 47
Part 6--The Classification Board 49
Division 1--Establishment of the Board 49
45.......... Establishment of Classification Board .............................................. 49
46.......... Constitution of Board ....................................................................... 49
47.......... Maximum number of members ......................................................... 49
48.......... Appointment of members ................................................................ 49
49.......... Full‑time and part‑time appointments ............................................. 49
50.......... Temporary members ........................................................................ 50
51.......... Terms and conditions of appointment ............................................. 50
Division 2--Responsibilities and powers of the Director 51
52.......... Responsibilities and powers of the Director .................................... 51
53.......... Powers of Director under State/Territory laws ................................ 51
Division 4--Procedure of the Board 52
56.......... Board to regulate its procedure ......................................................... 52
57.......... Decisions of the Board ..................................................................... 52
58.......... Procedures that apply to meetings of the Board .............................. 52
Division 5--Administrative provisions 54
59.......... Delegations ....................................................................................... 54
60.......... Remuneration and allowances ........................................................... 54
61.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 54
62.......... Outside employment ........................................................................ 55
63.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 55
64.......... Disclosure of interests ...................................................................... 55
65.......... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 55
66.......... Acting appointments ........................................................................ 57
67.......... Annual report ................................................................................... 58
Part 7--The Review Board 59
Division 1--Establishment of the Review Board 59
72.......... Establishment of Classification Review Board ................................. 59
73.......... Constitution of Review Board .......................................................... 59
74.......... Appointment of members of the Review Board .............................. 59
75.......... Members of the Review Board to be part‑time ................................ 59
76.......... Terms and conditions of appointment ............................................. 59
Division 2--Responsibilities and powers of the Convenor 61
77.......... Responsibilities and powers of the Convenor .................................. 61
77A....... Powers of Convenor under State/Territory laws .............................. 61
Division 3--Procedure of the Review Board 62
78.......... Constitution of Review Board for the purpose of its functions ...... 62
79.......... Decisions of the Review Board ........................................................ 62
Division 4--Administrative provisions 63
79A....... Delegations ....................................................................................... 63
80.......... Remuneration and allowances ........................................................... 63
81.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 63
82.......... Disclosure of interests ...................................................................... 64
83.......... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 64
84.......... Acting appointments ........................................................................ 66
85.......... Annual report ................................................................................... 66
Part 8--Miscellaneous 67
87.......... Evidentiary certificates ..................................................................... 67
87A....... Board to make decisions within a specified time .............................. 68
87B....... Review Board to make decisions within a specified time ................. 68
88.......... Additional functions of Board .......................................................... 68
88A....... Staff assisting the Board and the Review Board ............................... 68
89.......... Service of notices .............................................................................. 69
90.......... Payments to the States and Territories ............................................ 69
91.......... Waiver of fees ................................................................................... 69
91A....... Commonwealth not liable to pay a fee ............................................. 71
91B....... Cancellation of exemptions from fees ............................................... 71
91C....... Debts due to the Commonwealth ..................................................... 72
92.......... Act not to apply to broadcasting services under Broadcasting Services Act 72
92A....... Proceedings arising out of administration of Board or Review Board 72
93.......... Regulations ....................................................................................... 72
Part 9--Transitional provisions and repeals 74
94.......... Definitions ........................................................................................ 74
95.......... Service of member of former Board or former Review Board .......... 74
96.......... Decisions of former Board and former Review Board ...................... 74
97.......... Pending applications ......................................................................... 75
97A....... Reclassification ................................................................................. 75
98.......... Repeals ............................................................................................. 75
Part 10--Material prohibited in prescribed areas 76
Division 1--Preliminary 76
99.......... Definitions ........................................................................................ 76
100........ Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws ........................... 77
Division 2--Offences 79
101........ Possession or control of level 1 prohibited material in prescribed areas 79
102........ Possession or control of level 2 prohibited material in prescribed areas 79
103........ Supplying prohibited material in and to prescribed areas ................ 79
104........ Body corporate managers taken to have committed offences .......... 81
105........ Division does not apply to postal services ...................................... 81
Division 3--Seizure and forfeiture of prohibited material 82
106........ Seizure of prohibited material ........................................................... 82
107........ Seizure notices .................................................................................. 82
108........ Return of seized material--on request ............................................. 83
109........ Return of seized material--application to magistrate ...................... 83
110........ Seized material forfeited to the Commonwealth ............................... 83
111........ Relationship of Division to other laws ............................................. 84
Division 4--Miscellaneous 85
112........ Evidence ............................................................................................ 85
113........ Compensation for acquisition of property ....................................... 85
114........ Minister may repeal provisions of this Part .................................... 85
115........ Sunset provision [see Note 1] .......................................................... 86
Notes 87
An Act relating to the classification of publications, films and computer games, and related matters
Notes to
the
Classification (Publications, Films and
Computer Games) Act 1995 Note 1 The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games)
Act 1995 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 7, 1995
amended as indicated in the Tables below. For cessation details of Part 10 see section 115. For all relevant information pertaining to application, saving
or transitional provisions see Table A. Table of Acts
|
Act |
Number |
Date |
Date of commencement |
Application, saving or transitional provisions |
|
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 |
7, 1995 |
15 Mar 1995 |
Ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent |
|
|
34, 1997 |
17 Apr 1997 |
Schedule 2: Royal Assent (a) |
-- |
|
|
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999 |
146, 1999 |
11 Nov 1999 |
Schedule 1 (items 293--296): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (b) |
-- |
|
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act (No. 1) 2000 |
111, 2000 |
4 Sept 2000 |
4 Sept 2000 |
-- |
|
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act (No. 1) 2001 |
13, 2001 |
22 Mar 2001 |
22 Mar 2002 |
Sch. 1 (item 57) |
|
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 |
24, 2001 |
6 Apr 2001 |
S. 4(1), (2) and Schedule 6: (c) |
S. 4(1), (2) |
|
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act 2004 |
61, 2004 |
26 May 2004 |
Schedules 1 and 2: 26 May 2005 |
Sch. 1 (items |
|
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act (No. 2) 2004 |
140, 2004 |
14 Dec 2004 |
14 Dec 2004 |
|
|
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act 2007 |
27, 2007 |
15 Mar 2007 |
Schedule 1 and Schedule 2
(items 1, 3--6, |
Sch. 1 (items |
|
Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory National Emergency Response and Other Measures) Act 2007 |
128, 2007 |
17 Aug 2007 |
Ss. 3--5: Royal Assent |
|
|
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Terrorist Material) Act 2007 |
179, 2007 |
28 Sept 2007 |
29 Sept 2007 |
Sch. 1 (item 4) |
|
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008 |
26, 2008 |
23 June 2008 |
Schedule 1 (items 47--54): Royal Assent |
-- |
|
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Assessments and Advertising) Act 2008 |
69, 2008 |
1 July 2008 |
Schedule 1: [see
Note 2 and Table A] |
Sch. 1 (item 13) and Sch. 2 (item 5) |
(a) The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 was amended by Schedule 2 only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1997, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:
(1) Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
(b) The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 293--296) only of the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999, subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:
(1) In this Act, commencing time means the time when the Public Service Act 1999 commences.
(2) Subject to this section, this Act commences at the commencing time.
(c) The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 was amended by Schedule 6 only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001, subsection 2(1)(a) of which provides as follows:
(1) Subject to this section, this Act commences at the later of the following times:
(a) immediately after the commencement of item 15 of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000;
Item 15 commenced on 24 May 2001.
Table of Amendments
|
ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted |
|
|
Provision affected |
How affected |
|
Part 1 |
|
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
S. 5 ...................................... |
am. No. 34, 1997; No. 111, 2000; No. 13, 2001; No. 61, 2004; Nos. 27 and 179, 2007 |
|
S. 5A ................................... |
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
S. 5B ................................... |
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
am. No. 61, 2004 |
|
S. 6A ................................... |
ad. No. 24, 2001 |
|
Part 2 |
|
|
Division 1 |
|
|
S. 7 ...................................... |
am. No. 61, 2004 |
|
S. 8 ...................................... |
am. No. 13, 2001; No. 27, 2007 |
|
S. 8A.................................... |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Division 2 |
|
|
am. No. 179, 2007 |
|
|
S. 9A.................................... |
ad. No. 179, 2007 |
|
S. 10 .................................... |
am. No. 13, 2001 |
|
am. No. 111, 2000; No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
Note to s. 13......................... |
ad. No. 111, 2000 |
|
S. 13A ................................. |
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
Subhead. to s. 14(1)............ |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Subhead. to s. 14(4)............ |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
S. 14 .................................... |
am. No. 34, 1997; No. 111, 2000; No. 13, 2001; No. 27, 2007 |
|
Note to s. 14(1).................... |
ad. No. 111, 2000 |
|
S. 14A.................................. |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
am. No. 111, 2000; No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
Notes to s. 15(3), (4)........... |
ad. No. 111, 2000 |
|
S. 16 .................................... |
rs. No. 13, 2001 |
|
am. No. 111, 2000; No. 13, 2001; No. 61, 2004; No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
Note to s. 17(1).................... |
ad. No. 111, 2000 |
|
Heading to s. 18 .................. |
am. No. 13, 2001 |
|
am. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
Heading to s. 20 .................. |
am. No. 13, 2001 |
|
S. 20 .................................... |
am. No. 13, 2001; No. 61, 2004 |
|
Heading to s. 21 .................. |
rs. No. 34, 1997 |
|
S. 21 .................................... |
am. No. 34, 1997; No. 13, 2001; No. 27, 2007 |
|
S. 21A ................................. |
ad. No. 34, 1997 |
|
|
rs. No. 13, 2001 |
|
S. 21AA............................... |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Heading to s. 22 .................. |
am. No. 13, 2001 |
|
am. No. 111, 2000; No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
ad. No. 111, 2000 |
|
|
|
am. No. 13, 2001 |
|
Note to s. 22A...................... |
ad. No. 111, 2000 |
|
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
ad. No. 140, 2004 |
|
|
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Division 2A |
|
|
Div. 2A of Part 2................... |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
|
Ss. 22D--22G........................ |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Subdivision B |
|
|
S. 22H.................................. |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
S. 22J................................... |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Division 3 |
|
|
Note to s. 23(4).................... |
ad. No. 24, 2001 |
|
Division 3A |
|
|
Div. 3A of Part 2................... |
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
Division 4 |
|
|
am. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
Note to s. 24(4).................... |
ad. No. 24, 2001 |
|
Division 5 |
|
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
Subhead. to s. 26(1)............ |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Subheads. to s. 26(3)--(5)... |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
am. No. 111, 2000; No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
Notes to s. 27(2), (3)........... |
ad. No. 111, 2000 |
|
Division 6 |
|
|
Div. 6 of Part 2..................... |
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
|
am. No. 61, 2004 |
|
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
|
am. No. 61, 2004 |
|
Part 3 |
|
|
Division 1 |
|
|
S. 29 .................................... |
am. No. 34, 1997; No. 27, 2007 |
|
Note to s. 30(3).................... |
ad. No. 24, 2001 |
|
Division 2 |
|
|
S. 33 .................................... |
am. No. 61, 2004 |
|
Part 4 |
|
|
am. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
Part 5 |
|
|
am. No. 13, 2001; No. 61, 2004 |
|
|
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
ad. No. 13, 2001 |
|
|
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
ad. No. 140, 2004 |
|
|
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Part 6 |
|
|
Division 1 |
|
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
am. No. 13, 2001; No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
Div. 3 of Part 6..................... |
rep. No. 27, 2007 |
|
S. 54..................................... |
am. No. 146, 1999 |
|
|
rep. No. 27, 2007 |
|
S. 55..................................... |
rep. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Division 5 |
|
|
am. No. 146, 1999; No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
am. No. 146, 1999 |
|
|
am. No. 26, 2008 |
|
|
rs. No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
Ss. 68, 69............................. |
rep. No. 27, 2007 |
|
S. 70..................................... |
am. No. 24, 2001 |
|
|
rep. No. 27, 2007 |
|
S. 71..................................... |
rep. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Part 7 |
|
|
Division 1 |
|
|
am. No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
Division 2 |
|
|
S. 77A.................................. |
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
Division 4 |
|
|
ad. No. 27, 2007 |
|
|
am. No. 26, 2008 |
|
|
Part 8< | |