Australia is experimenting with participating in using the International Age Rating Coalition to rate video games to ease the burden of classifying all the games being released these days. The scope of games released in the territory increased a bit after AU adopted a new new A18+ rating, but there were still refusals to classify some games for release but it's not clear whether use of this self-reporting system will result in the release of games previously not allowed for sale in the territory. Here's word on the year-long trial from Kotaku Australia:

The International Age Ratings Coalition (IARC) is a globally unified age ratings classification system and Australia is now part of that coalition, meaning digital and mobile games can now be classifified using this system, as opposed to going through the traditional process with the Classification Board. Developers obtain ratings by answering a short questionnaire about the content of their video game. The system then outputs an age rating based on the country and that country’s specific social norms. 36 countries are now part of the IARC and Australia is the latest to join.

A trial period will begin next month, and will initially be overseen by the Classification Board.

“After close collaboration between the IARC and my Department over many months to ensure the tool meets Australia’s requirements, I have approved the IARC classification tool for an initial 12-month trial period to begin next month,” said Michael Keenan.