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All M rated games could soon be legal in the land down under.

After years of waiting, Australia will soon be able to introduce a rating higher than the current cap of MA15+.  Previously, the lack of a higher rating caused several titles rated M in the US, to be heavily censored or outright banned in that country.  The list of banned titles includes the soon to be released Syndicate, as well as previously released titles such as Mortal Kombat, Left 4 Dead 2, Silent Hill: Homecoming, and Fallout 3.

This new rating probably won’t be enacted until sometime next year, joystiq reports, citing the usual paperwork and government red tape.  It’s important to note that this is not a mandatory nationwide system.  The bill would simply allow each territory to choose for itself if it will accept the new rating.  In an article on the bill posted on news.com.au, The CEO of the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association provided further explanation and pointed to the Australian film industry as an example.  There, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory can provide access to X-rated films, while they remain banned in other territories.

While this is by no means a definitive and final blow to games being banned in Australia, it certainly provides hope for gamers who have been waiting to play these, and future titles with similar content.  It’s also an indicator that the Australian government is finally taking steps to resolve the issue instead of continuing to ignore it.