September 4th, 2025Machetes are banned in Victoria

Machetes are banned in Victoria – keeping more Victorians safe from these weapons.

During the amnesty period from 1 September to 30 November 2025, people can surrender machetes safely and anonymously at safe disposal bins located outside more than 40 designated 24/7 police stations across the state.

From September 1, owning, carrying, using, buying or selling a machete without a valid exemption or approval is an offence, with penalties including up to two years imprisonment or a fine of more than $47,000.

Exemptions apply for specific use, including for agricultural workers who use machetes as part of their job and for machetes that have a genuine traditional, historical, or cultural significance.

To choke the supply of machetes, the state government ordered them off shelves with an interim sales ban announced in May. This led to several retailers removing them from sale across the country.

Since then, Consumer Affairs’ Machete Taskforce has completed 573 in-store and online inspections, as well as 2,400 market stall inspections. The Taskforce found very high rates of compliance – drying up the supply ahead of the ban tomorrow.

The machete ban builds on the government’s tough new laws to crack down on repeat serious offenders and knife crime.

This includes strengthening the bail test for knife offences and increased stop-and-search powers for Victoria Police – helping them seize a record number of weapons off our streets.

This month new post and boast laws came into effect and further bail changes passed Parliament that will make it nearly impossible for serious repeat offenders to get bail.

Further details on exemptions and the locations of the disposal are available at vic.gov.au/machete-amnesty.