A new academic study revealing that the average age of a gamer in Australia is now 30 has sparked calls from the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA) to see the country employ an 18+ adult classification for game software.

MA15+ is currently the highest content classification bracket for videogames in Australia, whereas films can obtain an R18+ rating or even, yes, the self-explanatory X18+.

These restrictions mean that many adult-orientated games landing in Australia need to be toned down in order to be granted access into Australia’s stores and supermarkets. Recent titles such as GTAIV and Dark Sector have had to censor some of their content to be granted an MA15+ rating and find the shop shelves, whereas titles such as Fallout 3 have been entirely banned.

Many observers believe that adult game content is not a controversial issue at all in Australia. Indeed, the report (which was conducted by Bond University in Australia’s Queensland state) shows that 91% of the study’s respondents (both gamers and non-gamers) were in support of an R18+ rating for games.

70% of parents claimed to play videogames, the study found, and the average age of a gamer in Australia is now two years older than the result of last year’s study. The research also revealed that the average gamer had been playing videogames for 11 years, with respondents claiming a typical game-session lasting one hour.

Considering Australia’s widespread acceptance of gaming, which Bond's annual study has once again illustrated, it may seem puzzling as to why Australia isn’t already employing an adult classification system for game software. The reason, say countless observers, is down to Australia’s legislative process as well as the South Australian Attorney-General; Michael Atkinson.

Australia's content classification system can only be amended if unanimously accepted from all state and territory attorney-generals, and Mr. Atkinson has consistently vetoed such a bill for fear of tech-savvy children accessing adult content.

"We're one of the only developed countries yet to adopt an R18+ classification," says IEAA’s CEO Ron Curry. “With the average age of gamers being 30, it makes no sense to censor games to a point where they are only appropriate for a 15 year old. Such censorship would not be acceptable in television, at the cinema or in print, so why apply it unfairly to another entertainment medium?"

Dr Jeffrey Brand, the report’s author, was far less diplomatic with his feelings during a press conference earlier today. "It is offensive to me, as a parent, to say that I can't make choices for my children," he said.

Australia’s Rudd-led Labor Government says it will look at any proposal from the IEAA, and the issue will be on the agenda for the next meeting of state and federal attorneys-general, due next month.

Edge has contacted Michael Atkinson and his associates for comment.