The Victorian Government will enforce a total ban on the sale of machetes in what it describes as the toughest crackdown on machetes ever seen in Australia.
The move, which takes place from Wednesday 28 May, aims to remove the knives from retail shelves ahead of a legislated prohibition on both the sale and possession of machetes, which will take effect on 1 September 2025.
Premier Jacinta Allan said that in Victoria, community safety comes first.
“We must never let places we meet become places we fear. I hate these knives, and I will keep introducing as many laws as it takes to get them off our streets, out of our shops and out of our lives.”
Under the interim ban, machetes — defined as knives with a blade longer than 20 centimetres — cannot be sold or kept with the intent to sell. Knives primarily intended for kitchen use are excluded. Retailers must store existing stock safely until disposal, exemption, and amnesty schemes begin on 1 September.
Anthony Carbines, Minister for Police said, the community shouldn’t have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres and neither should police.
“We introduced Australia’s toughest bail laws, we’re toughening bail for knife crimes and expanding random knife search powers – now we’re ordering machetes off shelves and banning their possession.”
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) welcomed the ban, having supported the legislative proposal in March, with Angus Nardi, CEO of the SCCA, stating that they will work with Government to ensure these measures are implemented effectively.
“Any sensible proposal which seeks to remove dangerous weapons including machetes and knives which could be used to threaten, intimidate or harm people is a welcome step.”
Possession of machetes will be illegal from 1 September, with penalties including up to two years’ imprisonment or fines exceeding $47,000. Exemptions will be available for permitted uses such as agriculture, subject to application. An amnesty will run from 1 September to 30 November to allow safe disposal without penalty via secure bins at selected police stations.
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