Differences between the ratings

U > PG

• References to illegal drugs or drug misuse as long as it is innocuous or carries a suitable anti-drug message.
• Frightening sequences that are not prolonged or intense.
• Mild bad language.
• Sexual activity may be implied but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.
• More serious issues such as domestic violence can be featured.
• Moderate violence, without detail.

PG > 12A

• Discriminatory language or behavior cannot be endorsed by the work as a whole.
• Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and not be glamorized or give instructional detail.
• Moderate physical and psychological threat permitted, disturbing sequences must not be frequent or sustained.
• Dangerous behavior should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.
• Moderate language is allowed.
• Nudity is allowed but sexual context must be brief and discreet.
• Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.
• Mature themes are acceptable.
• Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.

12A > 15

• Drug taking may be shown but film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
• Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualized.
• Frequent use of strong language.
• Nudity allowed in sexual context but without strong detail.
• Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.
• No theme is prohibited.
• Violence can be strong but should not dwell on infliction of pain or injury

15 > 18

• An 18 must not breach any laws.
• An adult should be able to choose their own entertainment.
• Sexualized violence but cannot cause harm or risk to society.
• Explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted for educational purposes.
• Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed at '18'.

18 > R18

The guidelines for R18 are pretty similar to those of 18. However, they focus more on the issue of consent as in R18 works, they are allowed to show real sex. R18 works can only be shown in specially licensed cinemas and supplied in licensed sex shops.