Update: Fallout 3 has passed classification in Australia [1] so it isn't as banned as it used to be. No one is saying how much the game was edited to appease the Fosters drinking Koala apologists down under though.
I'll preface this post by saying that I've never played a Fallout game before, not that I haven't wanted to. I just never go around to it I guess. But I am looking forward to Fallout 3, I do plan on playing the hell out of it. The game looks like a lot of fun, in a totally immersive post-apocalyptic way... For anyone unfamiliar with the franchise, you'll be playing a character from birth and experience everything that a nuclear holocaust has to offer [2], including but not limited to: drugs, sex and killing. Sound like fun? Sure, but if you're Australian you'll have to content yourself with watching YouTube videos of Americans enjoying the game. That's right, Fallout 3 has effectively been banned in Austrailia [3]. More after the break.
In Australia, in order to sell a video game or any media really - you've got to be classified by the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification. This is similar to being rated by the MPAA or ESRB in the states, except with more boozing and kangaroos. This is just pure speculation but I'm betting the Aussies' highest classification is something crazy like 5 Kangaroos, or 3.5 Koala Bears. Anyways, the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification refused to classify the game which means that it can't legally be sold down under. Since games like GTA and Gears of War can meet the guidelines of the classification board I'm sure Fallout will make some changes to finagle a rating.
