About the Classification Database
The Classification Operations Branch maintains a public access database (the classification database) of decisions made by the Classification Board and Classification Review Board.
- Information on the classification database
- Does the database provide reasons for decisions?
- How far back does the database go?
- Titles showing multiple classification decisions
- Preventing under 18s accessing material with offensive titles
- Classification Database Disclaimer
- Conduct a search?
Information on the classification database
A search will return the classifications and the consumer advice allocated by the Classification Board and the Classification Review Board to a film, computer game or publication, in date order from the most recent decision backwards. For example, if a film is reviewed, the Classification Review Board decision will be closer to the top of the returned list, and will appear higher in the list than the original decision made by the Classification Board. Similarly, the decision for a DVD release of a film title will appear higher in the returned list than the decision for the original cinema release. This is because cinema releases are classified before DVD releases.
Does the database provide reasons for decisions?
The database provides the decision and the consumer advice. Classification Review Board reasons for decision are found on the "Downloads" section of the Media Releases and Classification Review Board pages.
How far back does the database go?
The Classification Board and Classification Review Board gradually began to keep classification decisions electronically from 1995 onwards. Therefore some decisions made before 1995 do not appear on this database.
Titles showing multiple classification decisions
Some titles may have multiple classifications because they have been released in different versions or on different formats.
For example, a search for the film "Constantine" (clicking on the "exact" box) will return five results. The oldest (bottom/fifth) result is an approval for advertising the film. The fourth result is a classification for the computer game. The third is the Classification Board's decision for the cinema (35mm) release of the film. The second is the Classification Review Board's decision for the review of the cinema release of the film. The first (top/ most recent) result is the Classification Board's decision for the DVD (Sale or hire) release of the film. Users of the classification database should note that due to inclusion of additional content (such as extra scenes, commentaries and outtakes) on DVD and video releases, it may be the case that the 35mm release and the DVD/video release have a different classification.
Preventing under 18s accessing material with offensive titles
Material that has been classified in an adult category (R 18+ and X 18+ for films and Category 1 Restricted or Category 2 Restricted for publications), or which has been Refused Classification, will not be returned in your search unless you click on the "Include adult and RC material" box.
This step has been added to help protect minors from some of the graphic language used in some of the titles of restricted and refused classification material. If you click "Include adult and RC material" you will be asked if you are over 18 years of age. The search may return titles which are offensive and unsuitable for children. Parental supervision of this facility is recommended.
If you don't click the box, you will only return results for films and games that have been classified G, PG, M or MA 15+, and publications that are classified "Unrestricted".
Classification Database Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this database is accurate and up-to-date, no warranty is given by the Classification Board or Classification Review Board that the information is free from error or omission.
The Classification Board and Classification Review Board and their servants and agents disclaim liability for any act done or omission made in reliance on the information in the database and any consequences that flow from such act or omission.