From 1 September 2025, a permanent ban will be introduced. It will be illegal to sell a machete in Victoria unless:
- you have an official approval from the Chief Commissioner of Police, and
- your customer has an exemption or official approval to buy a machete.
How retailers can apply for approval
From 1 September 2025, you must apply to the Chief Commissioner of Police for approval if you want to sell machetes.
In your application you must outline the reasons for the sale. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. A fee is payable for an approval and if granted, is valid for 3 years.
To apply or find out more visit Victoria Police Chief Commissioner approval.
If you obtain approval to sell machetes, you must also follow laws about how you store them, who you sell them to and keeping proper records.
Who can buy a machete?
You cannot sell a machete to anyone under the age of 18.
People over the age of 18 can only buy a machete if they are covered by an exemption or hold an approval from the Chief Commissioner of Police.
A full list of machete-related exemptions is listed in the Governor In Council Exemption Orders.
All other use of machetes is banned. This includes recreational or general household use.
Making a sale
From 1 September 2025, retailers must meet strict legal requirements to sell machetes in Victoria.
Approved retailers must:
- Check customer eligibility.
Before making a sale, confirm the customer has either:- a valid exemption, or
- written approval from the Chief Commissioner of Police to own a machete.
- Sell only to eligible customers.
You may only sell machetes to individuals or businesses who meet the legal exemption criteria or have the required approval. Note: It is illegal to sell a machete to a child.
- Verify customer identification and follow record-keeping laws.
Comply with identification and record-keeping requirements under sections 5A and 5B of the Control of Weapons Act, including:- sight 1 form of formal photo identification (e.g. passport or driver’s licence), or
- sight 2 other forms of identification, such as birth certificate, certificate of Australian citizenship, marriage certificate, healthcare card, Commonwealth concession card or tertiary student identification.
- Maintain accurate records.
For every machete sale, you must keep records for at least 3 years, including:- details of the machete sold (including serial number) including description, identifying marks or serial numbers
- customer’s identification and contact information
- evidence of the customer’s exemption or Chief Commissioner of Police approval to own a machete.
Example 1: Legal sale
A customer wants to buy a machete for agricultural work. They provide one of the following types of acceptable evidence of agricultural employment:
- a letter from their employer with an ABN, or
- the name of an agricultural business, or
- a matching employment contract or recent payslip.
This is reasonable evidence that they meet the agricultural exemption.
You can sell them a machete, providing you keep a copy of their documentation for your records.
Example 2: Illegal sale
A customer asks to buy a machete. They:
- cannot show they’re involved in a recognised cultural activity, or
- provide proof they work in agriculture, and
- have no written approval from the Chief Commissioner.
You must not sell them a machete.
Safe storage of machetes
If you are approved to sell machetes, you must store them securely to prevent theft or unauthorised access.
You must also ensure only people with a valid exemption or approval can access them.
Penalties for breaching the ban
From 1 September 2025, selling a machete without proper authorisation or failing to verify a customer’s exemption or approval may lead to penalties of:
- up to 2 years in prison, or
- a fine of more than $47,000.
Updated