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Cinema industry trends

This page is no longer updated by Screen Australia. For information about ongoing data see Other data sources > Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Number of films classified in various categories, as a percentage of total films classified, 1993/94–2008/09

Around half the films classified by the Classification Board and Classification Review Board since 1993/94 have been M15+ (recommended for mature audiences 15 years and over); the proportion was 44 per cent in 2008/09. The proportion of films classified MA15+ (with restrictions applying to under-15s) has increased over the period, from 8 per cent in 1993/94 to 24 per cent in 2008/09. The G classification has fallen slightly in 2008/09, accounting for 7 per cent, while the PG classification has risen to 23 per cent.

Although not every film that is classified will necessarily be released in cinemas, the exceptions are few.

Graph: Number of films classified in various categories as a percentage of total films classified. The table following provides the data.
  G PG M15+ MA15+ R18+ RC Total no.
1993/94 16% 25% 41% 8% 8% 1% 589
1994/951 14% 26% 42% 11% 7% 1% 600
1995/96 10% 17% 51% 15% 7% <1% 553
1996/97 8% 18% 49% 18% 5% 1% 438
1997/98 9% 16% 50% 17% 7% <1% 345
1998/99 9% 17% 49% 21% 4% 0% 340
1999/00 10% 11% 48% 24% 7% <1% 383
2000/01 9% 22% 44% 20% 5% 0% 376
2001/02 11% 20% 47% 19% 3% 0% 437
2002/03 10% 17% 46% 24% 3% 0% 439
2003/04 10% 23% 44% 19% 3% 0% 473
2004/05 7% 22% 51% 19% 2% 0% 427
2005/06 7% 22% 49% 18% 3% 0% 438
2006/07 8% 22% 46% 22% 3% 0% 402
2007/08 8% 21% 49% 20% 3% 0% 383
2008/09 7% 23% 44% 24% 3% 0% 394

Source: Classification Board and Classification Review Board (formerly the Office of Film and Literature Classification) annual reports.

Notes:
1. Data does not include films that require only ‘registration’, such as those for film festivals.

Classification categories:
G, PG and M are advisory categories; MA and R are legally restricted.
G General (suitable for all ages)
PG Parental Guidance (parental guidance recommended for persons under 15 years)
M15+ Mature (recommended for mature audiences 15 years and over)
MA15+ Mature Accompanied (restrictions apply to persons under the age of 15)
R18+ Restricted (restricted to adults 18 years and over)
RC Refused classification

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