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Warren Beatty and Julie Christie in McCabe and Mrs Miller, the first R-rated film to be released in Australia.
The Minister for Customs, Mr Chipp, said later State ministers had agreed to recommend the necessary legislation to their Governments.
The Commonwealth-State meeting on censorship was the first of its kind since 1968.
Mr Chipp said: "The 'R' certificate will be applied by the Commonwealth Chief Film Censor to films which it is considered are suitable only for adults.
"There will be two other classifications — suitable for general exhibition (G) and not recommended for children (NRC). These classifications will be advisory."
The legislation is unlikely to be introduced in NSW this year.
Some exhibitors have been opposed to the new scheme because they do not want to carry the responsibility of enforcing the law.
However, a number of organisations, including those associated with film festivals, have supported the scheme.
Mr Chipp said yesterday's meeting also agreed to the establishment of an appeal board of suitably qualified persons to replace the existing single appeal censor.
"There will, also be provision for recourse to the courts to determine whether or not as a fact a film is obscene, as is now possible with books," he said.
The meeting also examined the relationship between the National Literature Board of Review in its decisions on banned books, and States' decisions on locally produced books.
The Toecutter's gang attack in a scene from the 1979 film Mad Max, which was banned in New Zealand and Sweden.
Mr Chipp said: "It has been agreed that the work of the National Literature Board of Review and the operation of the Uniform Book Censorship Agreement should continue as before.
"However, if the local edition of a prohibited book is allowed to be distributed in any State, the responsible minister in that State will consider whether it is appropriate to take measures to confine the distribution of the book, as far as possible, to that State."