Commercials need approval
Television commercials and infomercials for Australian commercial free-to-air television must be classified before broadcast.
TV commercial approval and delivery
How we manage ClearAds approval and TVC delivery
Dream Engine plans ClearAds approval, often still called CAD approval, as part of producing a television commercial. We help prepare the submission, manage the correct version and create the broadcast master so the finished ad is ready for its media schedule.
ClearAdsThe current approval and classification service
CAD approvalThe older name many people still use
Start earlyPrechecks can happen before filming
Two stagesClassification first, broadcast delivery next
Built into the production
Finishing the edit is not the end of a TV commercial
When Dream Engine produces a TVC, we do not hand over a video and leave you to work out approval and delivery on your own.
We confirm where the commercial will run, whether a precheck is useful, which claims need support, who is supplying the documents, and how the final master will be delivered. These decisions go into the schedule before production starts.
The exact scope is agreed at the beginning. We can manage the ClearAds submission and revisions, prepare the broadcast master and coordinate delivery, while keeping the client, agency and media team clear on what they need to provide.
The short version
ClearAds approval is important, but it is only one part of getting a commercial to air. The creative, supporting documents, approved edit and technical delivery all need to line up.
Check the idea early
A script, storyboard, concept or offline edit can be reviewed before final production when that will reduce risk.
Documents must match
The vision script, claims, on-screen wording and final video need to describe the same version of the ad.
Approval does not dispatch it
After classification, the approved master still has to reach the correct networks through the agreed delivery path.
Dream Engine process
From the media plan to an ad that is ready to air
The steps overlap, but this is the practical order we work through on a Dream Engine TV commercial.
01
Confirm the media plan
We need the intended networks, first air date, durations, campaign versions, delivery contact and any online or social cutdowns. This tells us what must be approved and delivered.
02
Decide on a precheck
Where useful, the concept, video script, storyboard or offline edit goes to ClearAds before final production. This is particularly useful when the ad contains important claims, offers or regulated subject matter.
03
Produce with approval in mind
We keep on-screen text, claims, disclaimers, product demonstrations, music and the exact duration in view while filming and editing. It is easier to solve these points while the commercial is being made.
04
Prepare the submission
We assemble the final viewing file, vision script and agreed supporting documents. The client or agency supplies accurate claim substantiation, offer terms and its internal legal or compliance approval.
05
Manage review and revisions
ClearAds reviews the material through its Oasis system and may ask questions or request changes. We coordinate the production response and keep the revised edit and documents together.
06
Receive the ClearAds number
Once the review is complete, the commercial receives a unique ClearAds number that includes its classification. The number belongs to the approved version, not every possible edit of the campaign.
07
Master and deliver
We create the broadcast master to the current specification for the agreed destination, complete quality checks and coordinate dispatch through the media agency, delivery service or broadcaster named in the project scope.
Before filming
Approval starts with the script, not the export
A precheck can catch an issue while it is still a line in a script or a frame in a storyboard.
ClearAds can review early material and flag likely classification, content and substantiation requirements. That can be valuable when a commercial relies on a comparison, price, offer, testimonial, product demonstration or a claim that must be supported.
Not every simple TVC needs the same level of early review. We look at the creative, category and schedule, then agree on the sensible approach. ClearAds remains the independent decision-maker, and its service is not a substitute for the advertiser’s own legal advice.
Statements about performance, savings, popularity or superiority may need clear evidence.
Dates, exclusions, availability, guarantees and other conditions need to be accurate and readable.
The wording, permission and supporting material should be confirmed before the edit is locked.
Legal supers, end frames and calls to action need enough time and space to be understood.
Health, therapeutic, financial, alcohol, gambling and other categories can have added requirements.
Different offers, durations, end frames or markets may create separate approval and delivery work.
Clear responsibilities
Who supplies what
Approval moves more smoothly when everyone knows what they own. We confirm these responsibilities in the proposal and production schedule.
Dream Engine
- plan the production and approval path
- prepare the agreed viewing file and vision script
- coordinate ClearAds questions and production revisions
- create and check the broadcast master
Client or agency
- confirm claims, prices and offer details
- supply substantiation and required documents
- obtain internal legal and compliance approval
- confirm the media schedule and final sign-off
ClearAds
- review the submitted commercial and documents
- request further information where needed
- classify the approved commercial
- issue the unique ClearAds number
Media and delivery team
- confirm networks, markets and air dates
- nominate the delivery route and current specification
- receive the approved master and number
- confirm readiness for the booked schedule
Final checks
The approved version, documents and master need to match
A small change to an end frame, offer, voiceover, disclaimer or duration can create a different version of the ad.
We keep the file name, key number, vision script, ClearAds number and approved edit tied together. Before delivery, we check picture, audio, on-screen text, exact duration and the current technical requirements for the chosen destination.
Broadcast specifications and delivery providers can change. Instead of relying on a codec list copied from an old article, we confirm the current requirements with the media or delivery team for each campaign. The final sound mix and video edit are then mastered for that route.
- correct approved edit
- exact booked duration
- vision script and claims
- final supers and end frame
- picture and audio quality control
- current delivery specification
- key and ClearAds numbers
- clear file versioning
After classification
Approval and delivery are two separate jobs
The ClearAds number confirms the ad has been reviewed and classified. It does not automatically send the master to every network in the media plan.
The approved file still needs to be supplied through the agreed route with the right identifiers, destination and schedule. Depending on the campaign, that may be coordinated with a media agency, an approved delivery platform or the broadcaster.
Dream Engine can prepare the master and coordinate this delivery as part of the agreed TV commercial production scope. We confirm receipt and deal with any technical rejection before the planned air date.
ClassifyClearAds reviews the commercial and issues its number.
MasterDream Engine creates and checks the destination-ready file.
DispatchThe approved version is sent through the agreed delivery route.
ConfirmThe media team confirms that the commercial is ready for its booking.
Give approval proper space in the schedule
ClearAds currently lists a two-working-day standard classification service and faster paid options. That service time is not the same as the full time needed to prepare documents, answer questions, revise a commercial and deliver the final master.
Use a precheck when changing the script or storyboard now could prevent a costly problem later.
Collect claim evidence, offer terms, approvals and the complete vision script while the edit can still move.
Allow more than the nominal review time for questions, revisions, final mastering and delivery.
Check whether a changed offer, duration, voiceover, end frame or cutdown needs a fresh submission.
We check the latest ClearAds service and submission information when building the production schedule.
Common questions
ClearAds and TVC delivery FAQs
What is ClearAds approval, and is it the same as CAD approval?
ClearAds is the current name of the service previously known as CAD. It reviews and classifies television commercials and infomercials before they air on Australian commercial free-to-air television. People still commonly search for and refer to CAD approval.
When should we involve ClearAds?
Before filming is often best. A precheck can review a concept, script, storyboard or offline edit and flag content, claims, on-screen text or substantiation requirements while changes are still easier. Not every project needs the same level of precheck, so Dream Engine confirms the approach during pre-production.
What does Dream Engine handle?
For TV commercials we produce, Dream Engine can coordinate the agreed precheck, prepare the video and vision script, manage the final ClearAds submission and revisions, create the broadcaster-ready master and coordinate delivery. The exact responsibilities are confirmed in the proposal and production schedule.
What does the client or agency need to provide?
Clients and agencies normally provide accurate product information, substantiation for claims, offer terms and conditions, internal legal or compliance approval, and the confirmed media schedule and destinations. We tell you what is needed and keep the documents tied to the correct version of the commercial.
How long does ClearAds approval take?
ClearAds currently lists two working days for its standard service and offers faster paid services. That is the review service level, not the full project schedule. Missing documents, questions, revisions and broadcaster delivery can add time, so we build approval into the schedule well before the first air date.
Does ClearAds approval send the ad to the television networks?
No. Classification and broadcast delivery are separate steps. After the commercial receives its ClearAds number, the approved master still needs to be delivered through the agreed platform or media partner to the correct networks. Dream Engine can prepare and coordinate that delivery as part of the agreed TVC scope.
What happens if the ad changes after approval?
Tell us before the revised version is distributed. A changed edit, offer, end frame, on-screen text, voiceover or duration may need to be resubmitted. The approved number and documents must match the version that goes to air.
Planning a television commercial?
Tell us the idea, audience, first air date and media plan. We will build production, ClearAds approval and final delivery into one practical schedule.
