This section can be used by enforcement agencies to put together an application for the classification of seized material.
Our services
Classification of content may be needed for prosecuting an offence under state or territory classification enforcement legislation, or where expert enforcement officers consider the content of the material borderline.
The Classification Board can classify seized films, computer games and publications for enforcement agencies. Where it is unclear whether a seized film, computer game or publication has been previously classified, the Board can provide certification of an existing classification.
Certification
If your application for classification includes material that is unclassified, you’ll receive a Classification Certificate, plus an Evidentiary Certificate stating the classification if you request it in your application.
Classification Certificates
Classification Certificates include:
- production details of the publication, film or computer game
- the classification decision
- any consumer advice (not applicable for Refused Classification (RC) materials)
- the date the certificate was issued
Evidentiary Certificates
Evidentiary Certificates include:
- production details of the publication, film or computer game
- the action taken, or not taken, by the Classification Board in relation to the product
- the date of action taken by the Classification Board in relation to the product
- if the decision is RC, reasons for that decision
Provision of evidence
Our role is strictly limited to the certification and/or classification of material. The Evidentiary Certificate may form part of a prosecution case. However, we will not provide expert witnesses to appear in court.
Before you apply
Check the classification
Search the Classification database to check whether the item has a classification history. This will affect the kind of certification or classification to apply for.
Contact Us
We recommend that you contact us before submitting any material.
Fees
The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Regulations 2005 provide each state and territory with one hundred free ‘eligible documents’ each financial year for the purposes of classification enforcement.
Eligible documents
An eligible document is:
- an application for the classification of a publication, film or computer game (including the simultaneous issue of an Evidentiary Certificate)
- a copy of a Classification Certificate or of a notice of classification decision
- an Evidentiary Certificate certifying an item has been previously classified, or is not yet classified
Exceeding the quota
If a state or territory exceeds the 100 free eligible documents quota within a financial year, any subsequent applications will attract:
- 50 per cent of the prescribed fee for:
- the classification of a film, computer game or publication
- a copy of a Classification Certificate or of a notice of classification decision
- The full prescribed fee for:
- an Evidentiary Certificate issued under section 87 of the Classification Act
You aren’t required to include the fee with your application. An invoice will be issued to your Local Area Command (LAC), usually at the end of the calendar year.
Send your application
By courier or personal delivery:
The Director
Classification Board
Level 6, 23 – 33 Mary St
SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
Storage and collection
We will issue you a Goods Receipt for all classification items and store all items in a secure storage area when not being classified.
Collection of content is the applicant’s responsibility. We prefer that Sydney metropolitan agencies collect content in person. Please contact us to arrange for your content to be collected.
Decision notification
Enforcement applications will be classified as soon as possible and generally within 20 days of receipt.
If you have urgent turnaround requirements, for example a set court date, please let us know.
You will be notified of the classification decision. A classification certificate will be issued and available for download from the Portal.