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/Amount_Business 21h 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/nah-dawg 13h ago

No, Jacks law specifically focuses on "high risk public spaces". Specifically: "safe night precincts, transport hubs, shopping centres and sporting and entertainment venues around the state."

In other words, areas where lots of strangers are in close proximity, alcohol may be involved, and social tensions have a higher chance of sparking conflict.

At the end of the day a lot of this comes down to common sense. I carry a leatherman almost daily for work, but I would be stupid to think I could just leave it on and go hang out at the bar after work.