About this guide

Children’s programs are subject to the ‘criteria of suitability for children’ outlined atstandard 6 of the Children’s Television Standards 2009 (the CTS). A program must comply with all CTS 6 criteria in order to obtain a C (children’s) or P (preschool) classification. All C and P programs must be classified by the ACMAprior to broadcast on commercial free-to-air television.

The ACMA has developed this guide to help applicants understand howto interpretthe CTS 6 criteria for children’s programs and to provide information about the assessment of applications for C and P classification. This guide will also inform applicants of some of the obligations on licensees in relation to children’s programs.

Applicants may wish to refer to this guide when developing a program to ensure it meets the requirements of CTS 6.

Applicants should also refer to this guide when completing the ACMA B13 form, which requires applicants to explain how their program meets the CTS 6 criteria.

More detailed information on the ACMA’s assessment procedures and application requirements can be found on pages 15–17.