Weapons definitions

Prohibited weapons

Prohibited weapons are items considered inappropriate for general possession and use without a Chief Commissioner's Approval or a Governor in Council Exemption Order.

Prohibited weapons are specifically listed in the Control of Weapons Act 1990 and Control of Weapons Regulations 2021.

Imitation firearms and body armour are both considered prohibited weapons.

List of prohibited weapons
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Body armour

Body armour is a garment or item:

that is designed, intended or adapted for the purpose of protecting the body from the effects of a weapon, including a firearm, other than a helmet or an item used to protect the face, eyes or ears; or
that is prescribed by the regulations to be body armour

Controlled weapons

Controlled weapons are weapons that can be possessed, carried and used for legitimate purposes but may pose a potential danger to the community. Controlled weapons are specifically listed in the Control of Weapons Act 1990 and Control of Weapons Regulations 2021.

Items classified as controlled weapons include:

a knife other than a knife that is a prohibited weapon
spear gun
baton or cudgel
bayonet
cattle prod

A person must not possess, carry or use a controlled weapon without a lawful excuse.

Dangerous articles

Dangerous articles include any item which is:

carried with the intention of being used as a weapon
adapted or modified so as to be capable of being used as a weapon

Any item can be considered a dangerous article if it meets the above definition. This may include any everyday items including tools, household items or sports equipment.

A person must not possess or carry dangerous articles in a public place without lawful excuse.

Lawful excuses

Lawful excuses include:

pursuit of any lawful employment, duty or activity
participation in any lawful sport, recreation or entertainment
the legitimate collection, display or exhibition of weapons

In relation to dangerous articles, it is also a lawful excuse to use the article for its intended purpose.

Self-defence is not a lawful excuse for carrying controlled weapon or dangerous articles.

Frequently asked questions

No. It is not legal to carry any article designed or adapted to discharge an offensive, noxious or irritant liquid, powder, gas or chemical so as to cause disability, incapacity or harm to another person.

Capsicum spray, pepper spray or any other similar articles are prohibited weapons and are inappropriate for general possession without a Governor in Council Exemption Order or a Chief Commissioner Approval.

Self-protection or self-defence is not a lawful excuse to possess these articles. Alternative options are to carry personal alarm devices such as whistles or personal protection alarms.
Under Schedule 3 of the Control of Weapons Regulations 2021, a flick knife is a knife that:
- has been designed or adapted so that the blade is concealed when folded into the handle; and
- opens by gravity, centrifugal force, or by any pressure applied to a button, spring or device that is in, or attached to, the handle of the knife
A knife that fits the above description is still considered a flick knife even if the blade is partially visible when closed.

Flick knives are prohibited weapons. To possess, use or carry prohibited weapons in Victoria, a person must:
- have been issued with a Chief Commissioner's Approval; or
- be exempt from needing a Chief Commissioner's Approval because they are covered by a Governor in Council Exemption Order
If you are found in possession of a flick knife you risk being charged with possession of a prohibited weapon.
Storage requirements are detailed in the conditions for each relevant Governor in Council Exemption Order or Chief Commissioner Approval; additional storage requirements may apply to particular weapons (eg. crossbows). The following is the minimum standard of safe-keeping for prohibited weapons. Weapons must be stored in a manner which ensures that the item:
- is not readily accessible to anybody who is not covered by the exemption
- is not available for possession, carriage or use by a person who does not hold of an approval issued by the Chief Commissioner of Police or who does not fall within another class of exempt persons
- when being transported between the usual place of storage and to places where the item may lawfully be used, the purpose of which is the subject of this exemption, the weapon must be stored in a manner which ensures that the item is not readily accessible anybody not covered by the exemption.

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Updated 22 July 2024