Knives and pepper spray in Western Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: In Western Australia it is an offence to carry or possess an edged weapon, including a knife, without a lawful excuse, and defence is not a lawful excuse. Flick knives and butterfly knives are prohibited weapons, and oleoresin capsicum spray is a controlled weapon.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | It is an offence to carry or possess an edged weapon, including a knife, without a lawful excuse anywhere in Western Australia (maximum 3 years' imprisonment and a fine of $36,000). A plastic or wooden knife designed for eating, and a knife with a rounded tip and dull edge, are not edged weapons. [1] |
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | A knife with a blade concealed when folded or recessed into the handle that opens by gravity, centrifugal force or pressure on a button, spring or device (flick knife or switchblade), and a butterfly knife, are prohibited weapons if made or modified to injure or disable a person or as a martial arts weapon. Carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon is a crime (up to 5 years' imprisonment and a $60,000 fine). [2] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | A fixed blade knife is an edged weapon, and carrying or possessing one without a lawful excuse is an offence. A person with a lawful excuse also commits an offence by carrying it in a way that could reasonably be expected to cause someone to be injured or to fear injury. [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | A capsicum spray weapon (a spray weapon made or modified to discharge oleoresin capsicum) is a controlled weapon. Carrying or possessing one without a lawful excuse is an offence (maximum 2 years' imprisonment and a $24,000 fine). Defence is not normally a lawful excuse, but a person may carry or possess a capsicum spray weapon for use in lawful defence in circumstances the person has reasonable grounds to apprehend may arise. [3] |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | A lawful excuse includes carrying or possessing a weapon for a lawful employment, duty or activity, a lawful sport, recreation or entertainment, or a lawful collection, display or exhibition of weapons. Defence is not a lawful excuse, except that a capsicum spray weapon or approved electric shock case may be carried for use in lawful defence in circumstances the person has reasonable grounds to apprehend may arise. Police, special constables, certain police-service staff and public transport security officers are exempt when performing their functions, and custodial officers are exempt for capsicum spray weapons. The person carrying the weapon must prove any exception or lawful excuse. [3] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | A flick knife or switchblade, being a knife whose blade is concealed when folded or recessed into the handle and opens by gravity, centrifugal force or pressure on a button, spring or device, is a prohibited weapon if made or modified to injure or disable a person or as a martial arts weapon. [2] |
| Blade length limitsCarrying in public places | The edged weapon offence has no blade-length threshold. A dagger is a controlled weapon if it is a sharp pointed stabbing knife with a flat blade exceeding 8 cm with non-serrated cutting edges on both sides, or a needle-like blade. [2] |
| Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places | The Weapons Regulations 1999 set no container size or minimum age for a capsicum spray weapon, and regulation 7 lets a person carry or possess one for use in lawful defence in circumstances the person has reasonable grounds to apprehend may arise. Selling or supplying a controlled weapon to a child (a person under 18) is an offence (maximum 2 years' imprisonment and a fine of $24,000). [3] |
Notes
- The Weapons Regulations 1999 text read is the official version current from 2 September 2026; the Weapons Act 1999 text read is the official version current from 31 March 2025. No container size or minimum age appears in the regulations.
Sources
- Western Australia Police Force: WA knife and edged weapon laws (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Western Australia Police Force: Weapons (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of Western Australia (State Law Publisher): Weapons Regulations 1999 (official version as at 2 September 2026) (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Western Australia
- E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; 10 g or less may get an intervention notice · Growing at home: Banned
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, Containers for Change · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Specified drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any cannabis detected
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules, 16+ · Minimum age: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or permanent resident: transfer within 3 months
- Home educationNature of the parental duty: School or registration
- MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 15 years 6 months · Licence: Class R-N or other WA 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 not touched
- 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, on rent or hire
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.