Albanese Government sets new Statement of Expectations for the Classification Board

The Albanese Government has today released a new Statement of Expectations for the Classification Board (the Board).

The Board plays a key role in classifying content so that Australian consumers can make informed choices about what they and those in their care watch, read and play.

The Statement outlines the Government’s expectations for the role and performance of the Board in a rapidly evolving media environment. It has a strong focus on ensuring that the Board’s decisions are evidence-based and responsive to evolving Australian community expectations and standards.

The Statement further outlines the functions and responsibilities of the Board in informing the media choices of Australians, including protecting children and the broader community from content that might be harmful or disturbing.

It also emphasises the Board’s role in engaging and collaborating with Government to progress proposed reforms to the National Classification Scheme (the Scheme), which were announced on 29 March 2023.

The Scheme has not been updated since 1995 and has not kept pace with changes to Australia’s media environment. It was established at a time when physical media was predominant, and is now incompatible with the increasingly digital and online media environment.

To read the full Statement visit Classification Board Statement of expectations | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

For more information on the Government’s classification reforms, read the Media Release.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“The Classification Board provides a trusted and reliable source of information to guide the media choices of the Australian community, especially for children. Research from my department consistently shows that classification is wanted and valued by Australians.

“I look forward to working closely with the Classification Board to ensure that the National Classification Scheme is responsive to the needs of Australians in our increasingly digital media environment.”