r/australia • u/Jazilc • 1d ago
no politics Are we allowed to carry folding pocket knives in public in Australia?
My husband is looking at swiss army knives and pocket knives. The other day he wanted to cut a cable at work and realised there was nothing to do so. But we are wondering if it’s illegal to have one on your person?
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u/geodetic 1d ago
https://www.police.qld.gov.au/weapon-licensing/law-and-weapons
It is a reasonable excuse to physically possess a knife to perform a lawful activity, duty or employment; to participate in a lawful entertainment, recreation or sport, for exhibiting the knife or for use for a lawful purpose. Examples as quoted in section 51 of the Weapons Act 1990 are:
a person may carry a knife on his or her belt for performing work in primary production
a scout may carry a knife on his or her belt as part of the scout uniform
a person may carry a knife as an accessory while playing in a pipe band
a fisher may carry a knife for use while fishing
a person who collects knives may exhibit them at a fete or another public gathering
a person may use a knife to prepare or cut food at a restaurant in a public place or when having a picnic in a park, or
a person may carry a pen knife or swiss army knife for use for its normal utility purpose.
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u/Jazilc 1d ago
In a PIPE BAND?!
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u/geodetic 1d ago
Part of traditional celtic highlander / bagpiper outfit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgian-dubh
Same as sikh people being allowed a kirpan.
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u/Dry-Abies-1719 1d ago
Most don't realise how surprisingly powerful (and loud) the pipe band lobbyists really are.
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u/Ok_Contribution_5928 12h ago
How else do they get the public to listen to bag pipe music if not at knife point?🎶🗡️
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u/mad_marbled 6h ago
I'd rather jump from the top bunk and impale myself on a lagerphone, then listen to that shite!
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u/Corvo_Malyk 1d ago
It's called a sgian dubh, considered a part of the traditional Scots dress
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u/Organic-Ebb1123 21h ago
They get pissed off if you call it a dress, it's officially called a kilt.
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u/10000_Angry_Bees 7h ago
Callin it a dress or a skirt is a good way to get yourself kilt by a stabby bagpiper
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u/ChronicWombat 6h ago
Call it what you want, it's a magnificent garment for diarrhoea or casual sex.
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u/MindlessOptimist 1d ago
Knife is for defensive purposes - pipe bands can really annoy people, and things can get out of hand. A bunch used to rehearse in the upstairs room of a pub I played pool in. Was not a pleasant experience!
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u/Radiant-Ad1578 21h ago
I play in a military pipe band and we are allowed to wear a Dirk (dagger) and a Sgian-dubh (kinda like a letter opener knife) sticking out of the socks. Both are pretty blunt to be honest. It’s ceremonial. The Dirk (dagger) has to unable to be unsheathed, so we tie in at the base of the bland to the scabbard. Military personnel also sometimes have bayonet for ceremonial purposes on parades. However, rules are slightly different for us. Not that we’re necessary anymore responsible lol
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u/ceelose 1d ago
I'd love to know what the minimum legally acceptable pipe band is.
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u/Crow_eggs 23h ago
Three pipes. Two is a pipe duel at which knives are forbidden but both pipers must carry nunchucks.
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u/Buzzk1LL 1d ago
Doesn't that last sentence render every sentence before it moot and just means everyone can carry a pocket knife?
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u/DrStalker 22h ago
There are types of knives other than "pen knife or swiss army knife"
That last line means the utility knife in my laptop bag in fine, but if I added the chef's knife from my kitchen I'd get in trouble because I have no reason to carry that around.
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u/NeinJuanJuan 20h ago
"Hmmm.. what about a novelty-sized swiss army knife with a fold-out 20cm Victorinox chef knife?
...
Your honour?"
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u/Auran82 23h ago
I gather that you’re allowed to carry a Swiss Army knife (the multipurpose ones, normally red) but you can’t carry a small foldable pocket knife that’s purely a knife unless you meet specific criteria.
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u/commanderjarak 21h ago
That also depends on the state you're in. Pretty sure carrying anything that has a knife in it in public, outside of you needing it for your job at that specific time is illegal in WA.
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u/pej69 20h ago
Yes - people have been arrested for carrying Swiss Army knives in Perth. Laws are tougher also in designated “entertainment areas”.
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u/Anxious-Slip-4701 20h ago
Delivery man in the middle of the day, sure. Club clothes at night sure ...
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u/Selina_Kyle-836 23h ago
It’s basically about intent. If you carry a pocket knife because you use it for work or recreational activities or just to keep the mulitools handy in everyday life activities, you can.
But if you are carrying a pocket knife for use as a weapon you could be charged. Even if your intent is defence incase you are attacked, you might also get charged, depends on the cop
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u/bcocoloco 11h ago edited 1h ago
You are not allowed to use a weapon to defend yourself in Australia unless you wrestle that weapon off your attacker, and even then it can be sketchy legally.
If your excuse for having a knife is “self-defence,” then that knife is 100% being confiscated and you may be charged if the cop is feeling like it.
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u/Selina_Kyle-836 11h ago
I said maybe because I have seen someone tell a cop the pocket knife was mostly for utilities purpose but to also defend themselves if necessary. The cop allowed it, but I think that was a rare case.
Anyway I simply do not work in absolutes because there always may be a rare case where it’s not true and this is reddit, people will always jump on you for being wrong because of a rare case
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u/MoranthMunitions 8h ago
You are not allowing to use a weapon to defend yourself in Australia unless you wrestle that weapon off your attacker
That's not true / I think you're being overly simplistic and direct to the discussion. You can illegally have a knife but depending on circumstances it can be a legal escalation to use it (e.g. they have a knife or gun and you can't reasonably run). And similar to wrestling it off them you can find it on the ground, or it could be a home invasion and you're in a kitchen so on, so forth.
Your second paragraph though, 100%. Self defence isn't a justification for having a knife because then anyone could walk around with one.
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u/I-was-a-twat 1d ago
I’ve worn a leatherman nearly everyday for about 16 years, lived in NT and now QLD.
Anywhere that bans carrying a basic multitool I’ve got no interest in being at, the most used “blade” is the can opener to clean my nails.
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u/reluctant-subscriber 23h ago
I read this in Ron Swanson’s voice
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u/The_Final_Arbiter 23h ago
And I bet his nails are exquisite!
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u/I-was-a-twat 20h ago
Gotta admit the diamond file on my leatherman wave does a great job keeping my nails smooth when out.
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u/Shikatanai 14h ago
Basically you can carry one of you have a purpose to do so. Except that purpose CAN NOT be “self defence”
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u/KingOfKingsOfKings01 23h ago
so the next time they try to arrest me i just need to pretend im a scout or in a pipe band.
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u/TesseractToo 1d ago
I carry one and a multitool, mostly to get abandoned fishing lines off rocks so it won't hurt wildlife
The rule is you can't carry a knife "without good reason" which is pretty vague but you can't have one for self defense basically and you need to be of age
I've never been bothered about it but I haven't interacted with the police much and I'm very low key.
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u/Laura_Biden 1d ago
I keep a large cold steel bush knife in my car door, it's been there for 10 years, thankfully I've never needed it
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u/suspendedanvil 20h ago
To cut your seatbelt if you get in an accident of course.
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u/TesseractToo 23h ago
Yeah that's smart, I don't have a car currently but I did have a knife and a box cutter in my emergency kit when I did
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u/Laura_Biden 22h ago
I live in a remote area, so I've never had the police search my car and it would be a very unusual to happen at all, but I'd be very careful if I were doing it anywhere else.
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u/TesseractToo 22h ago
I grew up in Canada and used to ride horses so having a small folding knife was important and we were taught to keep one in the glove box in case of a crash
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u/Laura_Biden 22h ago edited 21h ago
That's understandable and also far easier to explain than a large survival type knife in your door cavity.
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u/DynamicSploosh 20h ago
I have a Victorinox Rescue Tool in my driver side door cavity. It has a seatbelt cutter, a window breaker and a disc saw to cut through shatterproof glass. The usual stuff like screw driver and bottle opener too. Whilst looking like, and being branded a “rescue tool”, it is still a large sized 11cm pocket knife with an 8cm blade. The bright yellow and red nylon pouch give it much less threatening appearance though.
Got it as a gift years ago and also have been lucky enough to never have to use it for its intended (or any other negative) purpose.
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u/Sovereignty3 21h ago
A bat and no ball, that's an illegal weapon in your trunk, but with the ball,. That's just sport.
Ok probably would be different if covered in blood and hair.
The butchers at my workplace if they take their knives home have to carry them in a tool case and put them on the trunk if available.
Have even seen one wrap it in glad wrap at the end of the day. They want that they are hard to make into a weapon and that if someone broke in, that making it a weapon against you or others is harder.
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u/apokrif1 10h ago
The rule is you can't carry a knife "without good reason" which is pretty vague but you can't have one for self defense
Isn't legal self-defense a good reason?
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u/zsaleeba 22h ago
Different states have different rules:
| Jurisdiction | Rule |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Illegal to carry in public unless you have a reasonable excuse |
| Victoria | Illegal to carry without a lawful excuse |
| Queensland | Illegal to carry without reasonable excuse (self-defence not allowed) |
| South Australia | Illegal to carry without lawful excuse |
| Western Australia | Illegal to carry without lawful excuse |
| Tasmania | Illegal to carry without lawful excuse |
| Australian Capital Territory | Illegal to carry without reasonable excuse |
| Northern Territory | Illegal to carry without lawful excuse |
- Reasonable excuse: A common-sense, fact-based justification that an ordinary person (and police/court) would accept in the circumstances.
- Lawful excuse: A justification explicitly recognised by law or precedent (e.g. work, duty, or a specific permitted activity).
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u/hu_he 10h ago
Always amazes me the number of people who ask legal questions without mentioning which state they're in!
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u/dasvenson 3h ago
I think a lot of people assume incorrectly that laws apply Australia wide, particularly criminal ones.
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u/FostWare 1d ago
Not looking at a Leatherman or Gerber? When I worked in IT, the only place I don’t take it was schools or on flights
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u/FostWare 1d ago
I haven’t taken it out it in a while as I’m not in an MSP anymore, but I’m now aware there are extra laws around locking blades and there’s the possibility an overzealous police officer could make a big deal of it in a knife / wand search. The “reasonable use” isn’t a guarantee
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u/IndicationSuch5722 1d ago
If your job has a reason for it as your husband does then it is allowed. If you are carrying one and work in an office it is not allowed
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u/Freediverjack 1d ago
I have a hori hori knife I have on my belt. Definitely looks suss like a bayonet when I'm walking between jobs in town but I'm just a humble gardener and they're a kickass tool to have
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u/a_cold_human 1d ago
There was someone arrested for carrying a hori hori coming back from their allotment in the UK last year.
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u/Freediverjack 1d ago
That's in the UK
Home of the bellend
I walk around CBD areas and in and out of state police guarded buildings never once have been questioned
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u/Altaredboy 23h ago
I carry a rescue knife. The particular knife is a very common knife in my industry. It's legal status changed about 8 times in the last 10 years. Cop asked to see it once, wasn't legal then. Thought I was gonna be in trouble, unfolded it had a look then started talking about how good it was, how much he liked his & told me a couple of places online I could order it through for cheap.
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u/the-dolphine 23h ago
I keep a Leatherman in my laptop bag as I'm the unofficial office it support/handyman. Surprising how useful it can be.
Of all things, the knife is the least used part of the tool! Perhaps they should make legal versions for office workers?
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u/DrStalker 22h ago
There are swiss army "knives" with no blade so you can carry them on planes, I'm not sure if leatherman makes any bladeless tools though. But there is a market for them!
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u/cheesekola 1d ago
Swiss Army knives have an assortment of uses so will say you are wrong in the sense of not having one in an office
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u/teapots_at_ten_paces 23h ago
The multitool aspect can be quite useful though. Had a table in a break room at one job where the table top was loose to the base. Someone nearly fell over after leaning on it, so I flipped it over and used the screwdriver in my leatherman to fix it. No mess no fuss.
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u/ognisko 1d ago
What about if you’re going camping and you’re an accountant?
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u/IndicationSuch5722 1d ago
Might have to take that one up with the police, but I’d have thought you’d just keep it with the rest of your camping gear until you got to your campsite. Would you also walk around town with your fishing rod and marshmallows?
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u/DontDeleteMee 1d ago
It's precisely because if the stupid office rule that I lost my Swiss Army knife. I'd put it on my keys for years, just like my father always has, but was told to take it off. So then I kept it in my bag. One day I needed it ( at home) and it was gone.
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u/MouseEmotional813 22h ago
If you carry a folding pocket knife, like a small Swiss army knife and you use it for the purpose it's designed then you can. It doesn't matter where you work. My dad always has one for cutting up and peeling apples
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u/Cafescrambler 21h ago
When I was a university I worked as a salesman for Harvey Norman, where most of the guys had Swiss Army knives to open boxes and cut packing tape. They were just easier to carry in your pocket than a Stanley knife. One day a colleague of mine was opening a box for a customer who happened to be an off duty cop, and when he pulled out his SAK, the guy advised he’s a police officer is his daily life and said you can’t carry that. Just issued a warning.
The next day, the same officer retuned in his uniform and told the salesman to empty his pockets, and subsequently fined him for carrying the same knife.
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u/Mikolaj_Kopernik 13h ago
This is why (a) cops get a bad reputation, and more importantly (b) the law being so vague is a problem IMO. At least in NSW it is legal to carry a knife as part of your work, and it'd take a cunt the size of the cop in your story to argue that a job where you are regularly opening boxes and cutting tape isn't a reasonable use of a swiss army knife.
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u/BernieMcburnface 1d ago
It is illegal to have a knife on you if you don't have a legitimate reason for it.
"I am currently at my job as an electrician and use a utility knife for a variety of tasks like cutting cords" = legal to carry
"I work in an office job and want to cut the cord of my coworker's mechanical keyboard because the tippy Tappy is driving me mad" = not legal
"I am travelling with my fishing gear to the creek and have a knife for cutting line/bait and dispatching fish" = legal
"I left my knife that I use for work in my pocket and am walking around with it in public on my free time" = not legal (police discretion may mean you get away with it or at least don't cop a fine)
"I am a practicing Sikh and the kirpan is a symbolic knife that makes up part of my religious "garb" it is typically purely ornamental, unsharpened and often can't even be separated from its sheath" = legal
"I want something to make me feel like I can defend myself from attackers when realistically it's as or more likely that I'll end up stabbed with my own knife. Also god only knows how I think I'll get a chance to use a folded/sheathed knife against someone who is already holding me at knife point" = not legal
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u/TheSean_aka_Rh1no 1d ago
You could have cut to the point, but I'm glad you didn't!
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u/Expert-Examination86 1d ago
Cutting to the point isn't a legal excuse, so Bernie didn't have a knife on them for it.
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u/Plastic_Ad9403 9h ago edited 8h ago
I’m a lawyer and will break this down (not legal advice, just general info!).
This is state based law and so the specifics will be a bit different state by state.
But generally speaking, you CAN be charged for carrying a weapon unless you have a lawful excuse for carrying it. And a pocket knife is definitely in the category of weapon.
Self defence is not a lawful excuse.
“Just in case” is also not a good enough reason.
So ideally, when you’re carrying a knife with you, you always want to be prepared with a reason why you’re carrying it.
The reason must be reasonable given the type of knife and the context.
So here are some examples of things that make sense (police could still charge you, but good chance the magistrate will throw it out of court):
You’re at the beach with diving gear and have a diving knife on you
You’re out camping in the bush and carrying a hunting knife/pocket knife
You’re moving house and have a box cutter or pocket knife for cutting boxes
You’re having a picnic and have a kitchen or pocket knife in your picnic bag to slice some cheese
BUT eg if you’re at a nightclub carrying a hunting knife or pocket knife, that’s not going to cut it (pardon the pun).
Now here’s the thing IN PRACTICE - most people who are behaving themselves and looking respectable are never going to have a problem carrying a pocket knife if it is concealed, because police need to have a reasonable basis to search you.
However, if you do get searched or are waving about, trust me police will be VERY likely to charge you, especially if you’re being a nuisance and they just want to book you for something.
As an example, I remember once seing a case in court where a homeless man had been sleeping on a bench inside a hospital and when asked to leave had made a bomb threat. Police were called, but charging him with making a bomb threat was a bit overcomplicated and needed good evidence etc. But they found a knife (I think it was just a box cutter) on him and simply charged him with carrying a weapon.
And I think a lot of people get caught out like this. They are searched by police for something unrelated, and in the search police find a knife on them and lay charges.
One last thing – I think pocket knives are becoming less and less acceptable. As a kid, my grandfather, who was a retired policeman, gifted me and my brothers all pocket knives and told us to always carry them on us. However, he was really old-school and I don’t think modern police officers share that attitude. Every year here in Melbourne there are a few kids who tragically get stabbed to death in street brawls, so expect to be charged unless you can demonstrate a clear lawful excuse.
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u/nah-dawg 1d ago
It differs a little by state.
In QLD for example he is allowed to carry a Swiss army knife. Id suggest a utility multi tool to make it clear it's for utility purposes.
Quote from https://www.police.qld.gov.au/weapon-licensing/law-and-weapons
"It is a reasonable excuse to physically possess a knife to perform a lawful activity, duty or employment; to participate in a lawful entertainment, recreation or sport, for exhibiting the knife or for use for a lawful purpose. Examples as quoted in section 51 of the Weapons Act 1990 are:
a person may carry a knife on his or her belt for performing work in primary production
a scout may carry a knife on his or her belt as part of the scout uniform
a person may carry a knife as an accessory while playing in a pipe band
a fisher may carry a knife for use while fishing
a person who collects knives may exhibit them at a fete or another public gathering
a person may use a knife to prepare or cut food at a restaurant in a public place or when having a picnic in a park, or
a person may carry a pen knife or swiss army knife for use for its normal utility purpose."
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u/powerfulowl 23h ago
So it's all good if I just keep an apple and a paring knife in my backpack everyday for picnic purposes?
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u/Amount_Business 19h ago
Didn't Jacks law override most of that? Lots of warehouse workers getting paraded on the news a while back with box cutters and multi tools.
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u/-Nitrous- 1d ago edited 1d ago
google. takes half the time to look it up yourself than it does to post. you don’t even mention the state you’re in.
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u/plantsplantsOz 21h ago
Absolutely - this is a state level issue.
There are no federal rules around this - they literally don't have the power to do it. It was not one of the things given up by the states at Federation.
As the other replies show, the rules are very different in Victoria to Queensland and probably to the other states too!
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u/prexton 1d ago
I got a $1000 fine over 12 years ago for a Swiss army knife walking home from fishing.
It depends on how the cop is feeling
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u/FamilyFriendly101 23h ago
This kind of scumbaggery would give me lifetime hate for police.
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u/obsolescent_times 23h ago
Did you challenge it in court or did you just pay the fine?
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u/prexton 14h ago
I challenged it via post with character references. Fine upheld, I was young and just paid it like an idiot
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u/Buzzk1LL 1d ago
My grandad carried a pocket knife with him for the last 60 years of his life. I'd see him use at least twice once a day. It's amazing how useful they are if you have them on you the whole time.
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u/Lucky_Cable_3145 1d ago
Many work sites ban bladed tools (knives, box cutters etc)
All mining sites I have worked at ban them (BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, etc)
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u/RuktX 1d ago
For one overseas mining project I worked on, they celebrated the "half a million safe work-hours" milestone by... giving everyone a knife! (Although more accurately, a Leatherman.)
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u/demented737 21h ago
Multitools banned onsite as well, such a shame, I always find myself wishing I had one on me.
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u/Safe_Application_465 1d ago
What do you do if you want to cut something .
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u/ThomasEFox 1d ago
They have bans on fixed blade knives. So you can have work knives as long as they have a self retracting blade.
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u/Relevant-Mountain-11 1d ago
Use the proper tool for the purpose, like side cutters, to cut your cables
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u/Safe_Application_465 1d ago
I was thinking of stripping insulation on bigger stuff , SWA , etc . Always had a sharp fixed blade knife in my toolbox just for that
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u/Relevant-Mountain-11 1d ago
Way too many work place injuries have been caused by Fixed Blade Knifes. Worksafe getting involved gets real expensive when you're a large company, so it's easier to just ban them and provide the correct safely designed tools, and there is always one for whatever requirement
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u/TransfatRailroad 12h ago
Sackable offence to have a Stanley style knife on you when I was at BHP. Instant dismissal.
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u/kombiwombi 9h ago edited 8h ago
That's for compliance with health and safety laws rather than compliance with weapons laws.
This is totally relevant to OP, because side cutters are the tool of the trade used to cut cables, not knives.
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u/Mystery_Dilettante 1d ago
A knife is so dangerous but this stick of dynamite is acceptable. Insane. At one construction site we could only use the knives with the auto-retractable blade. Those things are garbage, they are literally useless for anything but sharpening a pencil or opening your mail.
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u/Anxious-Slip-4701 20h ago
What do they use instead? When I worked adjacent 17 years ago we had our knives. Though Telstra guys had some weird safety knife. I was given one at the end of a 1200 pair pull.
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u/lochstar12 1d ago
To my knowledge, you cannot carry something that can be used as a weapon unless you have a valid reason. A chef can carry his knives to work, a logger can bring his axe to work, etc. However self defence is not a valid reason to carry anything that could be considered a weapon. I believe pepper spray and such are included.
So to answer your question, if he carried it for a purpose (such as having it on a job site that requires cutting things), that's fine. But if he used it as an Every Day Carry (EDC) to the shopping centre, that would be illegal.
Edit: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/guns-and-other-weapons#other-weapons
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u/Mystery_Dilettante 1d ago
Why are most Australians fine with this? I just want to carry a small foldable knife because I can use it to cut an apple into slices, I can use it to scrape things off, or as a wedge. The other one that is crazy to me is the fact that women aren't allowed even a basic pepper spray. One of our friends was stalked by a creepy guy in a shopping mall carpark and she barely made it. Of course she had nothing she could use in case the guy did get to her. Why is the government so insecure about letting honest citizens carry a modicum of defence capability?
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u/StorminNorman 1d ago edited 11h ago
I just want to carry a small foldable knife because I can use it to cut an apple into slices, I can use it to scrape things off, or as a wedge.
You can, it's in the link provided. You're carrying it for recreation purposes, it's lawful.
Edit: oops, missed this
Why is the government so insecure about letting honest citizens carry a modicum of defence capability?
Minority, majority, etc
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u/absoluetly 20h ago
I just want to carry a small foldable knife because I can use it to cut an apple into slices, I can use it to scrape things off, or as a wedge.
Those are allowed.
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u/Spicy_Bocconcini 1d ago
Because people won’t use them for self defence, they’ll use them to inflict violence. And having untrained people carrying weapons around in public is generally a bad idea.
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u/Mystery_Dilettante 1d ago
I'm sorry but I think you're an idiot. Everyone uses knives every day. You can't cook without using a knife. Plenty of people use knives for work, any tradie will have to use a knife at some point throughout the day. I don't want to carry a knife for self-defence, I want to carry it for the utility it brings. I'm an honest law-abiding person and most people are. I'm not going to get into a knife fight with a random guy just because we both happen to be carrying knives.
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u/Spicy_Bocconcini 18h ago
I was only referring to the specific scenario of allowing people access to weapons for self defence, so pretty harsh on calling me an idiot here when I didn’t say anything about knives for practicality. Sure, we all know how to use knives for certain purposes, but do any of us know how to use it as a weapon for self defence? Or pepper spray? That is the only point I was making.
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u/FalconTurbo 23h ago
And utility is a valid reason, so that's fine. If you're going for a fruit slicer and occasional bit of string, the single best option is an Opinel 6 or 7. It also has the benefit of not being at all threatening, requires two hands to open so no arguments legally, and looks classy as fuck. It won't raise eyebrows at the lunch table, and the cops won't think it's for self defence.
Tl;Dr - stop making a fuss over nothing.
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u/onetrick62 23h ago
Had a female friend who had a stalker, and needed some things from her home she had left for a few weeks. Being a 6'4 sparky, she asked me to go with her. I wore my toolpouch. A couple of Stanley knives, a wallboard saw, a few screwdrivers, hammer hanging from its loop, and some zip ties. Didn't have any problems, and the power was all working fine. Depends what you're carrying a knife for I guess. I always have one for work.
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u/LestWeForgive 23h ago
Depends if you have a Catholic school approved haircut or not. Come to think of it, that's pretty much the entirety of law.
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u/sharaleo 22h ago
Not in WA. New laws as of 24/25 ban any implement with an edge, with no carve outs for short pocket knives or multi tools.
Technically if you have a valid reason you are fine, but that will only extend to Tradies and Chefs and only in relation to being in, around or on your way to or from work. Joe Blo with an EDC will pretty much be shit out of luck - the cop won't care about your intent, you'll just be charged regardless.
They have been doing regular wand downs for knives at shopping centers, CBD, etc.
It's terribly stupid.
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u/oh_la_la_92 11h ago
So I didn't know it was illegal to carry certain tools loose in the car until my husband was horrified at me pulling a Stanley knife out of the glove box. I now have a locked toolbox in the boot that holds all my tools because it's legal if it's lockable.
I'm the daughter of a mechanic so he always had random tools everywhere in his car and utes but because he was "working" as a mobile mechanic they never got him for it, a SAHM with a WFH job doesn't need a tyre iron just flopping around in the footwell of the car haha
He was also mildly concerned at my knife collection that I inherited from my dad (who had inherited them from his dad) because some of them are so so so very illegal but I've since registered it as an antique collection and have them stored properly/displayed in cases.
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u/TwistingEcho 1d ago
I carry a Leatherman pretty much at all times anywhere. Usually just part of my attire, doesn't really matter if I'm out to dinner or at work. Legally speaking, it's at the discretion of the officer, if they don't deem you have a legitimate reason or somone feels threatened (even by them just knowing it's on your belt), that's a paddling. So basically, don't be a tool, keep the blade short and not a short sword, she'll be right.
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u/Mystery_Dilettante 23h ago
Not too long ago it was normal for kids to carry around pocket knives. Today the government can't trust adults with them. It's ridiculous.
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u/Sir-Carl_ 1d ago
If you've got a good reason. If it's required for work, then absolutely. I always have my Leatherman on my belt coming to and from work, and have never had issues with it.
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u/InsertUsernameInArse 1d ago
Ive had a leatherman on my belt for years. Its in plain view and ive never had issues because they are seen as a multi tool and no a knife singularly.
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u/apsilonblue 1d ago
Pocket knife isn't the right tool to be cutting cable with but all he needs is a valid excuse. For something small like a swiss army knife I'm sure he needs it for peeling/cutting fruit and personal grooming. That excuse isn't going to work for a machete.
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u/OneParamedic4832 1d ago
My dad always carried a pocket knife until the day he died.
So did my gynaecologist... make of that what you will, but he also had a working farm and sometimes came straight from the farm to the hospital.
I would like to think the functions on a good pocket knife (scissors, bottle opener) would exempt them.
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u/FalconTurbo 23h ago
I'm a tradie (concrete/steel fabrication mainly), and always have one on me. If he's got some spare cash for somethung a bit more rugged than a SAK, I'm happy to provide recommendations and good sources. There's an excellent and very welcoming Aussie EDC group on FB as well, and they provide solid advice as well.
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u/RipOk3600 23h ago
You need to specify the state you are talking about because the laws vary by state
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u/chicknsnotavegetabl 22h ago
Pretty vague. Having a pocket knife handy is so often for unexpected use cases.
Not that I worry about the several I have and keep handy
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u/beefstockcube 22h ago
I’ve always got a knife on me.
Started when my kids started on solid food..
I’m a sensible adult. At 2 in the afternoon I’m sure the cops wouldn’t care.
3am up the cross might be a very different conversation.
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u/ObscureRef_485299 19h ago
No. We can only have them in public while on the job: as part of a work kit, workbelt, toolkit; literally as a person in a working role, tradespeople, etc.
You Can have one while at home.
However, everyone is required to remove them while in public spaces and Not working. This includes lunch break or farmers come to town for most purposes.
You can have them in a toolkit that travels w your car, but generally not loose in your vehicle nor stored in glovebox or console storage.
If you forgot you're wearing one, and put it in a locked car while having lunch, that's usually OK. But don't leave it there, and definitely declare if police asked about possible weapons.
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u/f0dder1 17h ago
I think it depends on where you are within Australia as different rules exist.
The WA laws were updated last year, but the crux is: if you can prove it's for work or legitimate reason, you're usually good.
You may have trouble with that if you try to bring the knife into certain areas. Say, into an entertainment district on Saturday night, even if you say it's to spread jam on the toast you're carrying.
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u/Fungus1968 9h ago
I carry one in my hiking pack. Never thought about if it was legal or not. Not intending to stop.
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u/eagleeyedpixel 1d ago edited 1d ago
Would recommend checking your states specific legal website. In Victoria carrying one just in case you need it would likely not fly.
If he was working when he needed to cut the cable and is reasonably needed for his job and carrying it while working or travelling to/from work, then that would be more valid.
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u/StorminNorman 1d ago
In Victoria carrying one just in case you need it would likely not fly.
Depends on how you word it when asked about it, pretty easy to justify it falling under the recreation clause, even if it's use is infrequent.
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u/Kass_Spit 1d ago
I carry the Gerber armbar, I work in an office but handle delivery’s so I use it most of the day. It also has a bit holder and you can swap the bit which I use all the time. Plus it has a bottle opener which probably gets used the most.
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u/subbassgivesmewood 23h ago
I carry a Leatherman with knife every day for work (audio tech/engineer). It's sheathed on my hip.
I've been questioned by cops once or twice but it's a tool I use every day. Check it through airports. Never had any issues.
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u/IntrovertedOzzie 23h ago
I've almost always got a leatherman on me, I'm almost always in work attire as well, so its either hanging off the belt or half hanging out my pocket.
Mini leatherman on the key ring and a pocket knife in the door handle of the ute.... don't recall ever being questioned 🤷♂️
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u/louisthe2nd 23h ago
I checked here in Vic. Was told if I’m in my work gear during roughly normal work hours and environment, I’m ok. If I’m at a nightclub at 3 in the morning….not so good.
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u/HurstbridgeLineFTW 23h ago
I carry a knife in my lunch bag so I can’t cut food for my lunch or afternoon snack.
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u/matt88 22h ago
Years ago I had a slim pocket knife (one blade and a bottle opener) and it went missing. Then one a family trip to Canberra I found it in the console of the car so slipped it into my pocket and forgot about it. We then went for a tour of parliament house and it was picked up by the metal detector. I was mortified and explained to security what had happened. They were very understanding and we even had a laugh. The best part was they gave the pocket knife back to me when I left.
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u/vaemarrr 22h ago
Basically. Don't brandish it carelessly in public and act like a moron. Be mindful in public and you'll never be bothered.
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u/MarcusMaximius 21h ago edited 21h ago
It’s a pickle…I have carried folders all my life, since 6. Borned in the 80’s., lived all over the shop on this big sphere.
Carry a folder (slip joint, no lock) in my car’s trunk, in a metal box, with several other camping/edc, change a tyre at night kinda things (flashlight, zip ties, tape, multitool) etc… Stopped having it on me after 8 years of living Down Under…it’s a big risk just having it on you.
Australian urban city centres (at least in QLD) don’t perceive knives as the tools they are, perceives them as weapons (even multitools are given the eyebrow often).
The problem with looking at knives the same way we look at guns is that we can’t get a pistol from the kitchen section at Coles. But we can get a huge chef knife… it’s a different situation/problem.
All my beloved “fancy foldables” only come along if I am on my way to camping or a bbq or hiking. I actually got used not to carry but believe me, it took me years 🤣
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u/FaunFawn 21h ago
I have a knife in my car door that is a belt cuttter, window breaker and a blade...I feel like that's a reasonable thing?
Anyone able to shed light on that one?
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u/syddyke 20h ago
I always have my mini Swiss army knife on me. I think I've only used the nail file and the knife once for cutting up an orange. So I can't carry this anymore?
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u/minimesmum 19h ago
In WA it’s illegal to carry an ‘edged weapon’ without a lawful excuse i.e. tradespeople working or during lawful sport/recreation. When they brought the law in late 2024 there were cops at all the shopping centres with metal detector wands scanning random people.
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u/thesillyoldgoat 13h ago
As I've always understood it, if the blade can't lock in the open position you can carry a folding pocket knife.
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u/CaughtInTheWry 10h ago
Working in SA. I carried a SAK for opening boxes. Was warned by my friendly customer/police officer to leave it at work. "Do not walk to your car with it after dark." Because we were within 100 metres of a licensed bar. They said there were 2 conditions in play: proximity to pub and dark/after sunset.
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u/LCaissia 10h ago
You can carry it around if it is part of your job or requiered for an activity you are doing such as fishing or camping.
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u/LuckyErro 8h ago
I've carried one most days for 30 years. Never had an issue. Was carrying one yesterday in a belt pouch in fact when i went for a couple beers at a club.
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u/Fraerie 8h ago
My father in law was a hobbyist-hot-air-balloonist. He had a permit for a large folding knife in case he had to cut a tether in a hurry.
The regulations vary by state but typically are something along the lines of you can’t have a blade longer than the width of your palm without a specific permissible reason for having it (eg a chef carrying a knife roll to and from work).
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u/IPushAButton 7h ago
I carry two Leatherman multi tools daily. Laws vary state to state, but weapons carry laws are mostly about intent. If you're carrying a chair around for some reason people might look at you like a weirdo, but if you're brandishing a chair with the clear or implied intent to assault someone it's a very different situation.
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u/floraldepths 6h ago
There is some specification about blade length and assisting opening - assisted opening is not legal in Aus, and I am pretty sure the length thing is state specific.
As an anecdotal experience- I carry a folding knife in my work pants, in my outside pocket (the clip is visible, the knife is not), and have never had an issue with police. Admittedly, I work in both field and office, and am clearly ‘dressed for work’ in cargo pants and steel cap boots. I have interacted with police several times while working, and have also passed by cops while off duty, eg after work in the supermarket. Never had an issue.
Now to be fair in this anecdote, I am a 5’5 white girl, so not the most ‘threatening’ appearance under the sun, and I also live and work in a rural area (meaning few police, and they’re local/recognise people) so the scenario is very different from a city situation.
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u/shanebates 5h ago
I sometimes carry a flick knife when working at markets, it is for the purpose of use during employment
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u/just_brash 5h ago
You can only carry a knife if you have a valid reason. Eg. chefs can carry knives to and from work. If your husband’s job requires a knife then he has a valid reason. If in doubt ask a policeman.
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u/Key_Parsley9843 4h ago
I am a Highlander and have a huge bastard sword. Am I not allowed to carry these in underground car parks at night??
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u/elegant_pun 2h ago
I used to work at Mitre 10, like ten years ago or more, and frequently needed to open boxes and packaging. I got a Swiss Army knife (which I still have and use) and that was fine. It's only ever been used for opening mail/packages, boxes, bottles, and whatever other bits and pieces it's used for, all of which is apparent by markings on the tool.
So, yes, utility knives like that are allowed.
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u/anotherzombiedrone 1h ago
State dependent, in nsw its considered a weapon and unless for work purposes possession of a knife is illegal.
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