R18+ video game classification legislation has been introduced into the lower house of Australian parliament and is expected to come into effect by 2013.

The government conducted a public consultation on the issue which resulted in around 58,000 submissions over two years.

Home affairs minister Jason Claire said 98 per cent of the submissions supported the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games.

The current highest classification for video games, MA15+, has seen numerous games refused classification and therefore banned in Australia.

The current classification system also forced game manufacturers to release separate 'reduced-violence’ versions of video games for the Australian market.

"The R 18+ category will inform consumers, parents and retailers about which games are not suitable for minors to play, and will prevent minors from purchasing unsuitable material,” Mr Claire said.

The legislation is expected to smoothly pass through the upper house with both the Coalition and the Greens both voicing support for the move to R18+ games.

The bill is anticipated to come into effect by January 1, 2013.