Are Swords Legal in Australia? A State-by-State Buyer's Guide

Last reviewed: 23 October 2026. General information only, not legal advice.

Quick answer: There is no single national sword law in Australia. Each state and territory sets its own rules. In Victoria, swords are prohibited weapons and you need a Chief Commissioner’s approval or a Governor in Council exemption to buy or own one. In Queensland, swords do not need to be licensed. In every state, carrying a blade in public without a reasonable excuse can be an offence.

Key takeaways

  • Sword ownership is regulated by the states and territories, so the answer depends on where you live.
  • Victoria is the strictest: swords, including blunt ones, are prohibited weapons without an approval or exemption.
  • Queensland does not require swords to be licensed, but misuse provisions and public-carry rules still apply.
  • Swords are not on the Australian Border Force list of weapons that need police certification to import.
  • Whatever your state, keep a sword at home or in a closed case when moving it, and never carry it in public without a lawful reason.

Is it legal to own a sword in Victoria?

Only with an approval or exemption. Victoria Police defines a sword as “a thrusting, striking, or cutting weapon with a long blade having one or two edges and a hilt or handle”, and says a sword is still classed as a sword even if its blade is blunt. To possess one you need either a Chief Commissioner’s Approval or to be covered by a Governor in Council exemption order. To rely on an exemption you must be able to show, at the time of purchase, that you belong to a club, group or class of person the order covers, such as a recognised collectors’ or martial arts organisation (Victoria Police, list of prohibited weapons; Governor in Council exemption orders).

Victoria Police notes that martial arts swords, including samurai swords, fall into this group. That is why LQForge asks Victorian customers for proof of an approval or exemption, with photo ID, before we dispatch.

Do you need a licence for a sword in Queensland?

No. The Queensland Police Service says swords do not have to be registered to a licence under the Weapons Act 1990, but the misuse provisions in sections 57 to 59 of that Act still apply to anyone who possesses one. Section 51 also makes it an offence to physically possess a knife in a public place or school without a reasonable excuse, and QPS states that self-defence is not a reasonable excuse (Queensland Police, The law and weapons).

What about New South Wales?

In NSW the key rule for everyday buyers concerns public places. NSW law makes it an offence to have custody of a knife in a public place or a school without a reasonable excuse, the definition of a knife includes other blades, and having a blade for self-defence is not a reasonable excuse. These provisions have been amended in recent knife-crime reforms, so check the current text on the NSW Legislation website. Keep your sword at home, and if you need to move it, for example to a class or to a new house, carry it wrapped or boxed and go directly to where you are going.

What about other states and territories?

Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory each have their own weapons legislation, and the details change over time. Before you buy, check the current rules with your state or territory police weapons licensing unit. If you are unsure whether you can lawfully receive a sword, contact us before ordering and do not place the order until you are sure.

Do you need a permit to import a sword into Australia?

Generally not. The Australian Border Force applies a police certification test (Form B709B) to a specific list of weapons, including daggers, blowpipes, nunchakus, crossbows, slingshots, star knives, throwing knives, throwing blades and throwing axes. Swords are not on that list (Australian Border Force, police certification test). Border officers can still inspect any parcel, and your state’s laws apply as soon as the sword arrives.

How to buy and keep a sword responsibly

  1. Check your state’s rules first. Use the links in this guide or call your police weapons licensing unit.
  2. Buy only if you are 18 or over. LQForge sells steel swords to adults only and may ask for photo ID.
  3. Keep your paperwork. Hold on to your receipt and, in Victoria, your approval or exemption details.
  4. Store it safely. Keep the sword in its scabbard on a stand or in a case, out of reach of children.
  5. Transport it covered. Move it boxed or in a bag, directly to your destination, and only for a lawful reason.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a sword online in Australia?

Yes, if you are an adult and your state allows you to own one. Victorian buyers must also hold an approval or exemption.

Is a blunt or decorative sword treated differently in Victoria?

No. Victoria Police states that a sword is still a sword even if its blade is blunt.

Can I carry a katana to cosplay events?

Check the event’s weapons policy and your state’s public-place laws first. Many conventions ban real steel blades, so a wooden display sword is often the safer choice.

Sources

Laws change. This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure, ask your state or territory police or a lawyer before buying.

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