A factual guide, drawn from official sources, on whether you may possess or carry self-defence spray, stun guns or knives in Australia, covering state-by-state weapons rules and the "legal at home ≠ legal in Australia" misconception.
In Australia, the rules on possessing and carrying weapons and self-defence items are set by each state and territory's own laws, not federal law. So the same item may be treated differently depending on where you live. This guide does not cover response methods such as "how to defend yourself"; it only conveys the fact of whether merely possessing a given item is legal. In particular, items such as pepper spray, stun guns and certain knives — which civilians commonly possess in other countries — can in Australia make you liable to criminal prosecution simply for possessing them, so the misconception that "it's legal at home, so it must be fine in Australia" becomes a serious risk.
This guide focuses on the prior fact of whether it is legal to possess or carry a weapon or self-defence item. Your rights if you are found in possession and become subject to a police investigation (the right to silence, interpreting, a solicitor) are covered in the your rights during police questioning guide, and support and compensation when you are exposed to violence or harm from crime are covered separately in the domestic and family violence support and support for victims of crime guides. We do not repeat that content here and only link to it where relevant.
The most accurate way to check the rules is to look at the official weapons page of the police in the state or territory where you live. The governing laws and terminology differ slightly from state to state — for example, NSW relies on the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998, VIC on the Control of Weapons Act 1990, and QLD on the Weapons Act 1990. You should rely on the official list rather than internet blogs or overseas information, and because the law is amended, always check the latest page.
State police pages usually provide lists that distinguish between prohibited weapons and controlled weapons. Prohibited weapons are in principle banned from possession, while controlled weapons may be carried only where there is a lawful excuse. Along with the lists, always check what is accepted as a "lawful excuse" — in Australia, "self-defence" is generally not included.
The laws and lists are frequently amended and differ between states. Rely only on official police pages, and if there is any doubt at all about whether something is legal, do not carry or possess it. It is safer to check your individual circumstances with Legal Aid or a solicitor.
Some states issue a prohibited weapons permit for a limited range of legitimate purposes only. However, the accepted purposes are narrow — occupational, collecting, specific industries and the like — and "self-defence" is generally not a permit ground. The types of permit, requirements and fees differ by state and are amended, so you must check the details on your state police's official guidance.
Whether you qualify for a permit depends on your individual circumstances. If you are unsure whether it applies to you, do not decide on your own — check with your state police's official channel or Legal Aid. This guide is not criminal or legal advice.
Below is a summary of commonly misunderstood items, focused on the facts of legality. None of this is an encouragement to "carry it like this", and because the rules differ by state, do not assume a particular item is "legal" — always check your state police's list.
Because civilians can buy it in many countries, it's easy to assume "it's fine in Australia too", but in most Australian states it is classified as a prohibited or controlled weapon and merely possessing it can make you liable to penalties. The rules genuinely differ from state to state, so always check your state police's list, and if unclear, do not carry or possess it.
Electrical weapons such as stun guns and tasers (conducted electrical weapons) are a classic example of items treated as a prohibited weapon for the general public in every state. Possessing, buying or importing them without a specific permit is generally illegal, and buying online is no exception.
Certain knives such as a flick knife or butterfly knife are prohibited weapons in themselves. Even an ordinary pocket knife is unlawful if carried in a public place without a lawful excuse, and "self-defence" is generally not accepted as a lawful excuse.
Some weapons can be permitted for a limited range of purposes, but self-defence is not among them. Ordering or bringing in self-defence items from overseas is an import control (customs and biosecurity) issue separate from possession, so for that angle refer to the overseas online shopping, customs and biosecurity guide.
This is the order to follow to check the legality safely. As a rule, if you are not certain at any step, hold off on carrying or possessing the item.
The following are common misconceptions that actually lead to criminal risk.
NSW Police firearms and weapons information — details on prohibited weapons under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998
Victoria (VIC) Police weapons and firearms information — rules under the Control of Weapons Act 1990
Queensland (QLD) Police weapons licensing — permit and prohibition information under the Weapons Act 1990
Nationwide Legal Aid directory — connects you to free and low-cost legal advice services in your state
Australian Border Force (ABF) prohibited and restricted goods — check import controls on weapons and replicas
In many countries civilians can buy pepper/capsicum spray (OC spray), so it's easy to assume "it must be fine in Australia too", but in most Australian states it is classified as a prohibited or controlled weapon, and merely possessing it can be an offence. The rules genuinely differ from state to state, so always check the official list published by the police in your state, and if it is unclear whether it is legal, do not carry or possess it.
Electrical weapons such as stun guns and tasers (conducted electrical weapons) are a classic example of items treated as a prohibited weapon for the general public in every state. Possessing or buying them without a specific permit is generally illegal, and buying them online or from overseas does not make them an exception. Check the exact details on your state police's list.
Often you are not. Certain knives such as a flick knife or butterfly knife are prohibited weapons in themselves, and even an ordinary pocket knife is unlawful if you carry it in a public place without a lawful excuse. Remember that in Australia "self-defence" is generally not accepted as a lawful excuse. For a detailed assessment, contact Legal Aid.
No. Rules on weapons and self-defence items differ greatly from country to country, and being legal in your home country does not mean it is legal in Australia. Pepper spray, stun guns and certain knives that are commonly sold in other countries can, in Australia, make you liable to criminal prosecution simply for possessing them. Before bringing in or buying any item, always check the official rules of the police in your state.
Buying online or from overseas does not change the rules. Possession itself may be prohibited by state law, and bringing items in from overseas is also a separate import control (customs and biosecurity) issue. Before you buy anything, check your state police's possession rules, and for the import angle refer to the overseas online shopping, customs and biosecurity guide.
If you are found possessing a weapon or self-defence item and become the subject of a police investigation, your rights during that process (the right to silence, free interpreting, access to a solicitor, and so on) are covered separately in the your rights during police questioning guide. This guide deals only with the facts of whether possession is legal, so in an investigation situation refer to that guide and get help from Legal Aid if needed.
If you feel anxious because you are exposed to threats or violence, official support channels are a safer choice than carrying an item. For domestic and family violence situations the domestic and family violence support guide, and for harm from crime the support for victims of crime guide, explain the support and compensation processes. If there is an immediate danger, call 000 straight away.
