Knives and pepper spray in South Australia (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: South Australia's Summary Offences Act 1953 makes possessing a knife in an education facility, place of worship or public place an offence (section 21E). The details of the section and the rules for other weapons and sprays could not be read.

RuleWhat applies
Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public placesSection 21E of the Summary Offences Act 1953 makes possessing a knife in an education facility, place of worship or public place an offence. The text of section 21E, including any defences or exceptions, could not be read from the official legislation site. [1]
Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places⚠ Not yet verified
Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public placesSection 21E of the Summary Offences Act 1953 applies to knives generally: possessing a knife in an education facility, place of worship or public place is an offence. No separate rule for fixed blade knives was found; the text of section 21E could not be read from the official legislation site. [1]
Pepper sprayCarrying in public places⚠ Not yet verified
Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places⚠ Not yet verified
Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places⚠ Not yet verified
Blade length limitsCarrying in public places⚠ Not yet verified
Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Source is the Law Handbook of the Legal Services Commission of South Australia (last revised 24 June 2026), a government-funded statutory body; legislation.sa.gov.au was not reachable from the server (HTTP 403).

Sources

  1. Legal Services Commission of South Australia: Weapons (Law Handbook, Common offences - weapons) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in South Australia

  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; usually an expiation notice (fine) · Growing at home: Banned; small numbers expiable
  • 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, since 1977 · 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): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (general use only)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes for short-term visitors · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent resident: SA licence within 90 days
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Approval (exemption) needed · Nature of the parental duty: School attendance
  • MopedsLicence: Any SA 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: Mounted, or used without touching; L/P1: 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
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • 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: 0.05%

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.