Knives and dangerous articles in public places

What the law says about carrying knives and dangerous articles

Under the Police Offences Act 1935, it is an offence to possess, carry or use a knife or any other edged weapon that is considered to be a ‘dangerous article’ in any public place unless you have a lawful excuse.

This means that you cannot carry a knife, pocketknife/multitool, scissors, shears, box cutters or any other edged weapon in a public place unless you have a lawful excuse to do so. For example, if you need to transport the item from one place to another for a lawful task, or you are using it safely and lawfully at the time to complete a work task. Self-defence is NEVER a lawful excuse for possessing a knife or dangerous article.

The law also states that you cannot keep a knife or dangerous article in your car if the vehicle is in a public place. A knife or multitool that is part of the vehicle’s toolkit or that you are using for a lawful activity is allowed – for example, you are heading out on a fishing trip.

Even if you have a lawful excuse to have a knife or tool in your car, you should transport it in the boot – ideally in a toolkit or otherwise secured safely. Apply a commonsense approach to how you transport these items – for example, you cannot just keep a hunting knife in the door pocket.

Section 15C of the Police Offences Act 1935 includes the following lawful excuses for carrying/using a dangerous article:

(a) the pursuit of a lawful occupation, duty or activity using that dangerous article

(b) the participation in a lawful sport, recreation or entertainment using that dangerous article

(d) the use of that dangerous article for the lawful purpose for which it was intended

(e) religious observance.

The law allows for you to buy a knife and transport this home with you – for example, you have just been shopping for a new set of kitchen knives. Again, apply a common-sense approach and keep your purchase secure in the packaging and transport the item/s home as soon as possible after purchasing.

What powers do police have to conduct searches for knives/weapons?

You can be stopped by police in any public place and searched if we reasonably suspect you are in possession of a knife or another type of weapon that is considered dangerous. You can also be stopped and have your vehicle searched.

On 16 June 2025 new laws took effect that allow police to undertake searches in prescribed places with an electronic metal detection device, often called a wand. Wand searches in prescribed places do not require the formation of a prior belief by the police. This authority to wand search for and detect knives and other dangerous articles in will significantly enhance community safety.

Where a wand search does not reveal the likely presence of a dangerous article, and where there is no other reason for suspicion, then a wand search is the only search the police can undertake.

When in a prescribed place, detection of the likely presence of a knife or dangerous article, or refusal to submit to a wand search may empower the police to conduct a physical search. If you have a knife or dangerous article in your possession, even if you have a lawful excuse, you should declare that to the police before any search, this keeps everybody safe.

Prescribed places are:

(a) a public transport area;

(b) a retail precinct;

(d) a vessel used in the operation of a public ferry service;

(e) a place where sport is played or exhibited;

(f) a licensed premises or any place used for the assembly of members of the public for social, entertainment or recreational purposes;

(g) a facility or place where medical or health services are provided;

(h) an education facility;

(i) a place of worship or place where individuals or a group of persons congregate for religious or ritual purposes or to perform acts of devotion;

(j) a car park or set down area that forms part of, or is used for the purpose of access to, a place specified in this regulation.

If you are found to be carrying a knife or another dangerous article without a lawful excuse, this item can be confiscated and will not be returned to you.

Consequences of carrying a knife or edged weapon

There are serious penalties for carrying a dangerous article without a lawful excuse.

Not only is it against the law to carry a knife or another dangerous article in a public place, but doing so can put you, and others, at serious risk.

Even if you never intend to use a knife or dangerous article against others, just having one available to you makes it more likely that it might be used in a conflict.

When you carry a knife or dangerous article other people may also quickly feel that you are a threat which may influence their behaviour negatively towards you. Nobody wins in this situation – when knives and weapons are involved in conflicts, the outcome is much worse than it would have been otherwise.

When you carry a knife or a dangerous article you are increasing your risk of death or serious injury. You are also increasing the risk that you may make a poor decision that will impact you, and others, permanently.

Knives and other weapons don’t help protect the person carrying them because weapons escalate a situation rather than resolve it.

The charges for unlawfully possessing a dangerous article are serious.

Tasmania Police actively work to detect and deter this unlawful behaviour. If you are found to be unlawfully possessing, carrying or using a dangerous article in a public place (this includes in a vehicle), and you do not have a lawful excuse, it will be confiscated, and you may face prosecution.

The best decision you can make is to not carry a knife or dangerous article in a public place. This helps keep you safer and protects people around you, including your friends and family, when you’re out and about.