Ever wanted to know how the games you play get classified? Ever wondered just who exactly is behind important decisions like the banning of games, and their re-classification for the Australian market?

　　The Classification Board--formerly the Office of Film and Literature Classification--is an independent body that classifies films, computer games and publications. Guidelines for classification are set out in the National Classification Code, agreed by the Australian Government and the States and Territories, and the Classification Board must abide by these when making classification decisions. The Classification Review Board, also an independent body, can review original classification decisions in certain circumstances and make a new classification decision.

　　Previously the OFLC, this office was disbanded and its members made part of the Attorney General's department. The body was re-named The Classification Board, and still performs the same role as before.

　　In this Q&A we've tackled all the big questions with the newly-named Classification Board to give an insight into what makes its members tick. We tracked down a Classification Board spokeswoman to give us all the details. And for more information about games classification, check out our in-depth feature, Censory Overload.

　　Fallout 3--one of the games refused--and subsequently approved--by the Classification Board.

　　GameSpot AU: How does the Classification Board assess a computer game's content and classify it?

　　Classification Board: Among other requirements, an application for the classification of a computer game must include a copy of the game and a document setting out details about the game and if there is material in the game likely to be classified at M or higher

　　For computer games likely to be classified G to M, Authorised Assessors may provide a detailed recommendation report with the application for classification for a reduced fee. The recommendation report assists in the decision-making process of the Board.

　　In classifying a computer game, the Board applies the Act, the National Classification Code and the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games (the Guidelines). These documents are available for download here .

　　GS AU: When classifying a video game, is it a requirement for all Classification Board members to play it?

　　CB: No.

　　GS AU: Then who decides what members of the board will play a computer game that requires classification?

　　CB: As mentioned previously, the Director of the Board determines the constitution of the Board panel. In some instances the Director may assign the full Board to classify a computer game. The constitution of the panel will depend on the complexity of the game.

　　GS AU: When classifying a video game, is it a requirement for those members who are playing it to finish the entire video game before they can classify it? If not, what length of time is required for those board members to spend playing a video game before they make their decision?

　　CB: While the Board needs to experience the highest impact and most contentious elements of the computer game, Board members are not required to play a game to completion during the classification process. Applicants submit recordings of game play at each level of complexity to assist the Board. The Board may also request a demonstration of the computer game by the applicant to ensure they experience all aspects of game play and can assess all elements.

　　GS AU: Classification Board members are picked through a national recruitment process. What requirements must an applicant possess to be picked for the board?

　　CB: Formal qualifications are not essential for appointment to the Boards as members are selected to ensure each Board as a whole is broadly representative of the Australian community. Positions are advertised in the national press, on the Classification website and the Attorney-General's Department website.

　　Candidates are assessed against selection criteria that are advertised with the vacancies. In the past, selection criteria have included demonstrated involvement in the community and the ability to reflect broad community standards, and an understanding of the classifications and their value in the community as well as the capacity to understand the classification process.

　　GS AU: Who picks the Classification Board members? Is there a body that decides, or just one person? How is this decision reached?

　　CB: A selection panel assesses candidates against selection criteria and conducts interviews for short-listed applicants. There is also an experiential session in which applicants undertake classification exercises. The selection panel then makes a recommendation to the Federal Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Bob Debus MP. The Minister then makes recommendations to the Governor-General regarding appointments after consulting State and Territory Censorship Ministers.

　　GS AU: The current Classification Board has no members under the age of 29. Is there a reason for this? Do you commonly receive applications from people under that age?

　　CB: Details of persons who have previously applied to be members of the Classification Board cannot be made available.

　　GS AU: Without anyone on the board under the age of 29, is the Classification Board still an accurate representation of Australians who consumer film, literature and video games?

　　CB: As set out above, Board members are selected to be broadly representative of the Australian community. They come from a range of backgrounds and experience with each appointment designed to achieve broad representation. Information about who the Board members are is available here .

　　GS AU: After reading all the current Classification Board members' profiles, it's clear that all of them have some significant achievement within the community, public service and government. Would you ever accept someone on the Classification Board who does not have those achievements? For example if an 18-year-old pizza delivery driver with significant community involvement through local youth groups, etc, applied to be on the board, could he be a successful candidate?

　　CB: A young person with significant community involvement could be a successful candidate.

　　GS AU: It says on your website that trained industry assessors can be authorised by the Director of the Classification Board to make assessments on what classification a computer game is likely to attract. Who are these industry assessors? Where are they picked from, and what are their qualifications?

　　CB: The Director of the Board may authorise industry assessors who undertake the required training course to recommend the likely classification of a computer game. They are known as Authorised Assessors of computer games. Authorised Assessors must attend annual refresher training to ensure currency of their status. Computer game distributors select staff to be trained in this purpose to assist with applications for the classification of computer games.

　　GS AU: What is the "majority-based decision-making procedure" that the Classification Board operates under?

　　CB: The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Act) provides that the Director of the Classification Board may give directions as to the constitution of the Board. The Act provides that if members of the Board are divided in opinion, but not equally divided, the decision of the majority prevails.

　　The Act also provides that if members of the Board are equally divided in opinion and the Board constituted for the purposes of the matter includes the Director, the Director will have the casting vote as well as a deliberative vote. If the Board constituted for the purposes of the matter does not include the Director, the Director must vary the constitution of the Board by adding one or more other members and the matter is to be considered again.

　　Blitz: The League was banned in Australia in 2007.

　　GS AU: What are the key differences between the Classification Board and the Review Board?

　　CB: The Classification Board is a full time independent statutory board. The Classification Review Board is a part time independent statutory board. The Classification Board will classify unclassified material upon receipt of a valid application. The Review Board can only classify material that has been previously classified by the Board, upon receipt of a valid application. The Review Board makes a fresh classification decision.

　　GS AU: How are members on the Review Board chosen?

　　CB: Members of the Review Board are appointed following the same process for Board members as detailed above.

　　GS AU: The Classification Board follows the Classification Act of 1995. When was the last time these guidelines were reviewed? Can the OFLC ever request that the guidelines be reviewed?

　　CB: The Act establishes the classification types and the National Classification Code broadly describes the categories. The Guidelines assist both Boards in applying the criteria in the Code by describing the classification categories and setting out the scope and limits of material suitable for each category.

　　The Board cannot request that the guidelines be reviewed. The Guidelines are reviewed from time to time to ensure that they remain up to date with current community standards. This involves consultation with members of the public, community groups and organisations. Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship Ministers must agree to changes to the guidelines.