exemptions
Under section 44 of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993, you can apply to the Office for an exemption to view a publication with a restricted or objectionable classification for educational, professional, scientific, literary, artistic or technical purposes.
This allows people who would not normally have access to a publication to view it for certain purposes. For example, a student may apply to view an objectionable publication for research purposes, or a lawyer may want to view a film that is the subject of court proceedings.
How to get an exemption
Apply in writing to the Chief Censor:
- Identifying the publication(s) you are seeking an exemption for.
- Outlining your reasons for applying for the exemption
- Enclosing the correct fee. A full schedule of fees can be downloaded from the downloads section of this site.
The Office will then assess your application, taking into account:
- Your reasons for wishing to view the publication
- The reasons why the publication was given a restrictive or objectionable classification in the first place
The Office may also consult with anyone it thinks is able to help it decide whether or not to grant your application. If your application is approved, arrangements will be made for you to have access to the publication.
If the Office proposes to decline your application, you will be given a copy of the information on which the Office intends to base its decision. You may then make a further written submission to the Office if you wish. In the event that the Classification Office does decline your application, you will be given a copy of its reasons for doing so and your fee will be refunded.