The differences between ratings

U - PG

• The themes at PG can be more mature than at U, but the nature of how they are presented is still very mild

• Sex and Relationships can be more acknowledged and advanced from U to a PG, however it still has to be discreet and infrequent

• Mild drug use/reference is more acceptable at a PG but still must carry an anti-drug message and can’t condone drug use in any way

• Discriminatory language can be used more in PG compared to U however it must have an educational or historical context

• Violence can be stronger at a PG but can’t be in detail and must be justified by its context

• Horror can be more frightening at a PG but cannot be prolonged and fantasy is treated less strictly



PG - 12A

• Discriminatory language/behaviour can progress from a PG to 12A however still must not be endorsed by the work as a whole

• Drug misuse can be shown at 12A, which it can’t at a PG, but still must be infrequent and not glamorised in any way

• Horror can be increased from a PG to 12A, moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted but cannot be sustained

• Imitable behaviour can be shown in a 12A but it cannot glamorise easily accessible weapons

• Moderate language is allowed at 12A compared to mild infrequent language in a PG.
• Nudity in a sexual context is allowed in a 12A but must be brief and discreet

• Sexual activity can progress in a 12A from a PG as it can be portrayed but can’t be frequent

• Violence is stronger at 12A but can’t dwell on detail

12A - 15

• Drug taking and references may be shown in a 15 but the film must not promote drugs overall

• Horror can be stronger and more menacing at 15 compared to a 12A

• Glamorisation of easily accessible weapons is not allowed

• Language can be more frequent at a 15 and stronger language may be acceptable depending on the context

• Nudity is more acceptable at 15 compared to a 12A and can be shown in a sexual context but not in strong detail

• Strong verbal sexual references are allowed at 15s

• Violence can be stronger at a 15 but can’t dwell on too much pain

15 - 18

• At 18, the viewer is considered an adult so is completely free to choose their own entertainment

• Works cannot breach any laws

• Risk of harm to society is not allowed

• Illegal drug use is not allowed

• Sexualised violence is allowed in a 18 but cannot cause potential harm to anyone or society

• Sex and Relationships is much more acceptable at a 18 then a 15

• Clear images of real sex is still not permitted

18 - R18

• The same as 18, works cannot breach any laws at R18

• Sexually abusive behaviour is not acceptable

• At R18, real sex is allowed unlike at 18

• R18 is more focused on the acts of sex and harm

• R18 are not allowed to be shown at normal cinemas and only in specially licensed sex cinemas and only sold in specially licensed sex shops