M (Australia)

M is for mature, and we don't recommend these films and games for kids under 15.

–Quick guide to Australian classification ratings video

Mature (M), formerly M 15+, is one of the seven classification categories of the Australian film rating system and one of the six for the computer game system of the Australian Classification Board. It was one of the original four classification categories when the Board came into existence. The symbol is an encircled letter M and the colour is blue.

The content of M-classified material may contain moderate levels of classifiable material, such as violence, sex or coarse language. Although still unrestricted as it is an advisory category, material classified M cannot be recommended for viewing or playing by children under 15 years of age.

M rated content is described as moderate or neutral.

Factors

Themes

Mature themes can be accommodated at the M level if they aren't too detailed. Examples like major deaths, real-life disasters and upsetting subjects can be discussed within an M rating.

Violence

Violence in this classification tend to be more violent and graphic than PG, although not to the extent of MA 15+. Realistic Violence can be frequent but not too detailed (eg:blood, cruelty etc....) except if there are special contextual justifications (eg:medical, history etc...). Stylized (Sci-fi/fantasy) violence can be more detailed but it can't be sadistic or overtly graphic.

Sexual Violence should be very limited, discreet and infrequent.

Sex

Sexual references are allowed if they aren't graphically discussed or overly crude. Sex scenes can be allowed if they aren't graphic or if they are implied. Sexual language (except "c**t") can be used.

Language

In terms of coarse language, "f**k" and its derivatives (including the sexual insult motherf***er) may be used even in a sexual context, but not be very aggressively used. In extremely rare cases, the word "c**t" can be used once if justified by context, as it was the case with the movie Rocketman; otherwise, normally if it's used in a movie, it will be rated MA 15+. Slurs like the N word can be used if they aren't used in a derogatory way (e.g., white person calling a black person the slur).

Drug use

Drug references and depictions can be shown, and even implied drug use can be depicted. Depictions of drug use are allowed if they aren't glamorised and if they are moderate in impact.

Nudity

natural graphic nudity (i.e genitalia) can be shown provided is not gratuitous , explotative or contain strong details (I.e erection) . Sexual nudity should be discreet, infrequent and brief.

Statistics

During the financial year that ended on 30 June 2022, the M classification was given to 225 films for public exhibition (the most common) and 82 computer games.

List

• According to the ACB's classification database, 51K+ films and 375K+ computer games have been classified M. (list)

Trivia

• In 1993, a new classification was added to the film system, MA 15+ (children under 15 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian), for films that have content that is too strong for the M classification but not enough for the R 18+ classification (restricted to persons aged 18 and over).
• The M rating is one of the only unrestricted ratings that allows multiple uses of the F word.
• M is the most common rating for films according to classification annual reports.
• Originally they didn't recommend these films and games for kids under 13.
• Despite the content being moderate in impact some of the content allowed would be considered too strong in other countries (eg:gore, full frontal nudity, mature themes, various f-words etc...)

Equivalents

• MPA's PG-13
• TV Parental Guidelines' soft (some cases medium) TV-14
• ESRB's T
• BBFC's 12/12A and soft 15
• PEGI's 12 rating
• CERO's hard B and soft C ratings
• NZ OFLC's M
• Kijkwijzer's 12 and 14
• Netflix's 13+ rating
• RARS' 12+ rating

Notes

Australian Classification Board (ACB)