There’s Major Development Plans For Australia’s Classification Scheme

Some very promising news today, with the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, the Australian Minister for Communications, today announcing plans for classification reform in Australia – with a focus on modernising the National Classification Scheme.

Australia has had a long and awkward history with it’s classification scheme, including some downright frustrating hiccups in relation to how the industry looked upon interactive media – such as the long-time absence of an R18+ rating for games.

We eventually settled into a steady, if somewhat flimsy standard that has been serviceable throughout the years – but news of reform is a cause to be excited, if only for the potential to improve the scheme with modern standards.

Today @MRowlandMP announced a major development for classification reform in Australia. We welcome these steps to modernise Australia's Classification Scheme https://t.co/m9abozoDqX

— IGEA (@igea) June 22, 2023

Some choice snippets from the proposal include some excellent details regarding how classifications can be better regulated by parties that understand the subject matter – via self-classification – rather than falling entirely in the lap of agents that may not fully grasp the subject matter, by prioritising improvements such as:

• expanding options for industry to self-classify content using accredited classifiers,
• extending the Classification Board’s powers to quality assure self-classification decisions,
• expanding classification exemptions to include low-risk cultural content made available by libraries and museums, and
• introducing a ‘classify once’ principle so content classified for broadcast can be shown in other formats using the same classification.

The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) has commented with their own positive expectation of the bill, echoing similar statements that modernising the classification system will do a lot to empower industry leaders – while also making mention that this is the best way to ensure appropriate safeguards continue to be in place.

The minister behind the proposal, Michelle Rowland had this to say:

Australians rely on the classification system to make informed choices about the content that they, and those in their care, watch, read and play. Continued inaction to modernise the Scheme threatens its integrity and the confidence Australians have in it as a trusted source of information.

The amendments introduced today are a key step towards reforming the National Classification Scheme to ensure that it reflects today’s online media environment and meets the needs of modern Australia.

It’s worth noting that this classification reform targets the rating scheme as a whole within Australia, which includes gaming as part of it – not just focusing on it. But that doesn’t mean that gaming is being neglected, or painted with a broad brush – there are some choice words that targets the ongoing concern of gambling and lootboxes within games:

The Government is working with state and territory governments to introduce mandatory minimum classifications for computer games containing gambling-like content, such as loot boxes and simulated gambling. Public submissions on the proposed changes to the Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games are currently being considered.

All up, it sounds like a super promising push to make sure our understanding of ratings and their purpose is up to date. The Australian classification system currently exists as a ‘good enough’ plan of action that is doing the trick, but modern practices will do a lot to make sure new generations will have a real grasp on what is appropriate to which audience.

A real win for Aussies however you slice it.

What do you think about a souped up, sexified ratings system within Australia? Let us know in the comments or on social media.

For information on the Scheme visit www.classification.gov.au