Censorship Classifications:

At the CHILDREN'S VIDEO CENTRE we offer only programs that have been rated:

(Suitable for all ages) and

(Parental Guidance recommended for persons under 15 years)

by the Commonwealth Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia).

And E (Exempt) programs that have suitability for specific children's age groups.

As these classifications are broad in scope and are not age specific, we have added our own suggested guidelines to assist in your selection. Often additional information is contained within the synopsis to further assist you.

Full details about what is allowable in these two classifications can be downloaded in a pdf document format entitled Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games

Age Group Guidelines:

Only you know what is best for your children to view. We can only give you a guide to make your decision-making a little easier. Every child is at a different level of emotional and intellectual development, interested in different subjects, under different peer pressure and fickle about their likes and dislikes. They are all under media pressure, and often this is the single most influential reason why they want to see a particular movie or program. Their interest in a subject may be short-lived. They may have no interest in some programs, and this is part of our role as parents to introduce them to some of the less obvious quality programs that exist, particularly those based on classic books.

PreSchool - Under 5 years of age - These are programs specifically made to entertain, stimulate and educate this age group. They introduce a range of everyday life skills, including manners, concepts, fun, music, stories, movement, caring, friendships, math, colours, animals, nature, dance and much more. They are programs that once introduced to the format and characters of the program, the young viewer can watch by themselves. (In our view, though this is not always practical, a parent of a pre-schooler should always be in the room where the program is being viewed. This allows parents to observe the child's development, immediately attend to any emotional concerns, answer any questions that might arise as well as then having a good basis to begin follow-up activities that the program may have stimulated.)

Primary School - From 5 - 12 years of age - Whilst different age levels will get different levels of enjoyment from these programs, the programs will be applicable to this entire age range. Some minor violence or more mature concepts may be included.

Lower Primary - From 5 - 8 years of age - These programs are more specifically aged focused. They are for children with developing social skills, a concept of a wider world beyond their home and school, an ability to sustain watching longer programs than a pre-schooler, an interest in stories and the imagination they offer,

Upper Primary - From 9 - 12 years of age - These programs are for children who are looking toward teenage freedoms, concepts and lifestyles. The subject matters have more complex story structures, more confronting concepts of violence and sexuality. There may be a connection between reading and seeing the film of the same story.

Family - These programs are generally for viewers of school age who are accompanied by an adult whilst viewing the programs. They are usually not suitable for pre-schoolers. Such programs may contain elements that might need explaining, some sensitive children may require re-assurance during certain scenes, and the sheer length of some programs suggests a degree of concentration is required. It is expected that adults watching the program will judge the capacity of their children to be entertained by the program or to accept being introduced to new concepts. Children of different age levels watching a program can be expected to react differently because of their level of development but all should benefit from its screening.