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Application process

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The application process for classification is very similar for films, computer games and publications.

You can apply to the Classification Board if you want them to give your content a classification (rating) and consumer advice.

Applications are either:

  • Standard – made within 20 days
  • Priority – made within 5 days.

To find fees, file and other material requirements, delivery specifications, and other details, view the relevant sections:

Before you apply

Using the Classification Portal

The Classification Portal allows you to apply for classification online. In the portal, you can:

  • submit your application online
  • upload your content
  • track your application’s progress
  • register festivals or events
  • view account balances, and
  • make credit card payments.

Set up an account

You can create an account directly in the Classification Portal.

Update your account

Have your details changed since you last lodged an application? If so, please update your account via the Classification Portal.

Check if the content has a classification

First, check the Classification Database to see if the film, computer game or publication has been classified before.

A film, computer game or publication can only be classified. For classified content which has been changed, see Modifications.

About the portal

The Classification Portal allows you to upload your content and submit your application online. Through the portal you can track your application’s progress, view account balances and make credit card payments.

Festivals and events can also be registered through the Classification Portal.

Accessibility Support

If you have any issues accessing the Portal to create or submit applications, please contact the applications support team. Our support team can fully assist, including entering data on your behalf, as part of our commitment to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) international standard.

Providing Media

You can provide a copy of the content to be classified:

  • as a digital asset via Box
  • via digital delivery
  • via a link to an online version
  • a physical copy of the content delivered to our office

Uploading digital content

We recommend you upload your film and computer game content on the portal using Box. 

Box provides a secure and easy option for submitting content. 

Download the Box Platform – user guide 

You can upload content to Box via the Portal, or use the direct to Box upload link below: 
Australian Classification Board – Box upload
 
Below are examples of the recommended naming conventions for Box media uploads:

Single file (feature films, gameplay footage, TV specials etc)
Multi-episode (TV Series, Bonus Features, two-part Bollywood Films, etc)
Film: T24-0000 – Film Title – Applicant Name
Game: T24-0000 – Game Title – Gameplay Footage – Applicant Name
  T24-0000 – Game Title – Game Build – Applicant Name
Television: T24-0000 – Series Name – Season Number – Episode Number – Applicant Name (This type can be abbreviated e.g S1 E1)
Bonus Content: T24-0000 – Feature Title – Bonus Content – Content Type (Feature Commentary, Featurette, trailer etc) – Applicant Name
Film: T24-0000 – Feature Title – Part Number – Applicant Name

Title should be in Sentence Case unless the film title is usually in UPPER CASE.

The file number format T24/0000 should not be used. A hyphen (-) should be used in place of forward slash (/). Special characters cannot be used in file names.

Providing physical media

You can provide physical copies of media if you prefer this option.

In the portal, you would indicate ‘submit physical media’ on your application, and you will then need to organise delivery of the media to the relevant address.

Please note the below requirements when providing physical media:

  • a complete and final copy of the film in DCP, DVD or Blu-ray format
  • Key Delivery Messages (KDM) or DCP keys if relevant
    • contact us to find out how to generate DCP keys.
  • a detailed synopsis

KDMs (Key Delivery Messages) should provide access to the film for a full working day, from 8:30 am to 5:00pm.
If you cannot provide a KDM that is open for a full working day, contact us to discuss your options. You might need to organise additional access to your film outside the original window.

The screening date will be delayed if DCP media or keys do not work correctly.

Format specifications

Subtitles for non-English original content

You must include English language subtitles, if your content is not in English and will be distributed in Australia with English subtitles.
For example:

  • a film with the original language as ‘Spanish’, must include English subtitles if the film is to be distributed in a subtitled format
  • a game with the original language as ‘English’, where some characters or scenes use a different language, must include English subtitles for those scenes which will feature subtitles in the Australian release.

After you submit an application with your content, if your provided media is not adequately subtitled, we may request that you provide a copy with subtitles.

Credits

Include full and final film credits.

Watermarks and timecodes

Watermarks and timecodes are not required. If included, they must:

  • be small
  • in one corner of the screen
  • not obscure the content of the film

Watermarks and timecodes may be displayed at the:

Top left-hand corner of the screen.

Top right-hand corner of the screen.

Region codes

Region codes for DVD and Blu-Ray disc must be for Australia:

  • DVD - Region 4
  • Blu-ray - Region B

Windows PC

USB keys used to deliver films must be formatted for Windows PC.

Fees

We process applications after the fees are paid.

Fees are different for every application.

In limited circumstances, you can make a request for a fee waiver

Priority processing

For some applications you can pay an additional fee of $420 to speed up the process. This takes a maximum of:

  • 2 working days for administration
  • 5 working days for processing

How to pay

You can pay online in the Classification Portal.

Classification decision

Notification

You will be notified of the classification decision. A classification certificate will be issued and available for download from the Portal.

Classification decisions are published on the National Classification Database the day after a decision is made.

If you have let us know the national release date for your film, it will also be listed in Upcoming releases.

Timing for decisions:

  • up to 25 working days for a standard application
  • up to 7 working days for a priority application

Appeal the decision

If you disagree with the classification decision, you can apply for a review by the Classification Review Board.

Withhold a decision

If you require your classification decision to be withheld from being published on the National Classification Database, you can enter an embargo date in your application. You will need to provide a reason for withholding the decision and the date you would like the decision to be published.

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