Knives and pepper spray in Queensland (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: In Queensland possessing a knife in a public place or school without a reasonable excuse is an offence, and self-defence is not a reasonable excuse. Flick knives and some one-hand opening knives are category M weapons, and antipersonnel gas such as pepper spray is a category R weapon.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | A person must not physically possess a knife in a public place or a school unless the person has a reasonable excuse. A pen knife or Swiss army knife for its normal utility purposes is given as an example of a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty for a first offence is 50 penalty units or 18 months' imprisonment. [1] |
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | A knife designed or constructed to be used as a weapon whose blade can be released by the hand holding it, a butterfly or balisong knife, and a flick knife are category M weapons. Unlawful possession of a category M weapon is an offence under Weapons Act 1990 s 50. [2] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | A fixed blade knife is covered by the same offence as other knives: possession in a public place or school without a reasonable excuse. "Knife" includes a thing with a sharpened point or blade that can be held in one or both hands and used to wound or threaten. [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | An antipersonnel gas or substance of a corrosive, noxious or irritant nature, and any weapon able to discharge it, is a category R weapon (except gas or substances primarily designed for controlling native or feral animals). Unlawful possession of a category R weapon is an offence with a maximum of 700 penalty units or 14 years' imprisonment. [2] |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | Reasonable excuses include performing a lawful activity, duty or employment, taking part in lawful entertainment, recreation or sport, lawfully exhibiting the knife, and use for a lawful purpose. Genuine religious purposes are a reasonable excuse in a public place but not in a school. Self-defence is not a reasonable excuse. [1] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | A flick knife, or similar device with a blade folded or recessed into the handle that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by pressure on a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle, is a category M weapon. [2] |
| Blade length limitsCarrying in public places | The knife offence has no blade-length threshold. "Knife" includes a thing with a sharpened point or blade that is reasonably capable of being held in one or both hands and used to wound or threaten to wound anyone. [1] |
| Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places | The Weapons Categories Regulation 1997 sets no container-size threshold: an antipersonnel gas or substance of a corrosive, noxious or irritant nature, and any weapon able to discharge it, is a category R weapon. The only exclusion is gas or a substance, and a weapon to discharge it, primarily designed for the control of native or feral animals. [2] |
Notes
- The Weapons Categories Regulation 1997 text read is stated as current as at 1 February 2021 on the Queensland legislation website. Category M and R weapons are weapons for the Weapons Act 1990; licensing conditions were not examined here.
Sources
- Queensland Government (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel): Weapons Act 1990 (current as at 3 August 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel): Weapons Categories Regulation 1997 (current as at 1 February 2021) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Queensland
- E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 60 km/h · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: Banned
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h (110 km/h where signed)
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container refund scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Zero tolerance · THC threshold: Any trace of THC
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules plus age and licence · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while visiting · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or resident visa: Queensland licence after 3 months
- Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
- MopedsLicence: Class RE or car licence
- Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
- Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Open/P2 only; L/P1 under 25: none
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes · Minimum alarms and where: A smoke alarm in each bedroom. For each storey with bedrooms: in the hallway that a bedroom door opens onto (or, if a bedroom has no door to a hallway, in the part of the storey between that bedroom and the rest of the dwelling). For a storey with no bedrooms: on the most likely path of travel to an exit. All alarms must be interconnected.
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
- Towing trailers and caravans
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: Under 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.