Are Multi-Tools Legal in Australia? | Pocket Multi Tools (2024)
Australia has very strict laws about what weapons it allows its people to own and to carry. Is a multi tool considered a weapon? Is it legal to carry a multi tool? One of the weapons covered by Australia’s laws are knives which means if your multi-tool has a knife, you better know what the law says about you having one.
The Simple Answer
Multi-tools are legal to own in Australia but they aren’t legal to carry in public all the time. You need to have a good reason for carrying a multi-tool and self-defense isn’t one. Being an electrician on a job is, just don’t leave it clipped onto your belt when you go to a bar for a beer after work.
There aren’t specific laws in Australia about owning and carrying multi-tools. The laws are about knives and what you can and can’t own and carry. If you decide you don’t want to worry about the knife laws because you don’t really need a knife on your multi-tool, your best choice for a multi-tool without a blade is my strong favorite – the Gerber MP600 Multi-Plier Bladeless. Or choose from any of these 5 No Knife multi-tools.
Although multi-tools are as their name suggests – tools – they do of course usually have one or more knives. That means they are covered under any Federal or State knife laws. Hey, if your multi-tool doesn’t have a knife, you can own and carry it anywhere you like – including on a plane!
Unfortunately, the laws can be different in each State. So if you’re going to take your multi-tool when you go interstate on holiday or for work, you should know what the knife laws are when you get there.
The parts of the laws that I think us Multi-Tool MacGyvers really need to know are the parts that cover whether you can own a multi-tool, carry a multi-tool and whether you can be searched without a warrant. So let’s look at what each state law says. And I’ve got to give you a warning. I’m not giving you legal advice, I’m not a lawyer, so if you’re concerned about your multi-tool, you should get some legal advice from a lawyer.
Federal Knife Laws
Federal knife laws don’t ban or make it illegal to own or carry any current multi-tool design. What they do ban are knives likeflickknives or automatic knives. These are the type of knives that you push a button and the blade is propelled out of the handle or that you just need to flick your wrist and the knife extends into position.
Multi-tools are perfectly legal to own which makes sense because they are freely available at a number of stores.
Multi-Tool Laws by State
New South Wales
Own – it is legal to own a multi-tool in NSW.
Carry – if you want to carry a multi-tool in public, you need to have a “reasonable excuse” for doing so and you have to prove you have a reasonable excuse. If you say you’re carrying a multi-tool for self-defense, that’s not going to cut it (excuse the pun).
There are some reasonable excuses that will cut it. For example, you have your multi-tool with you and you need it to eat or drink, you’re taking part in some sort of legal entertainment, recreation or sport.
Say you’re out camping or hiking – you would have a very good reason to be carrying your multi-tool and you would also be OK if you’re carrying it on your way to or from a camping trip. If you’ve dropped by your mate’s cricket match on the way to go camping but your multi-tool is clipped to your belt, that might be a harder excuse to sell.
Search – the NSW police can search you if they have reasonable grounds or reasonable suspicions. That’s a very broad law that my non-lawyer thinking means the police could use almost any reason to search you for weapons.
Victoria
Own – it is legal to own a multi-tool in Victoria.
Carry – you need a ‘lawful excuse’ to carry a multi-tool in Victoria. The same goes for Swiss Army knives and other sharp objects like a box cutter. The most likely lawful excuses would be if you need it for your work or you need it for your sport or recreation.
Where you could easily get caught out is if you take a side track on your way to or from your lawful excuse. Your wife calls you while you’re on your way home from your carpenter’s job and asks you to pick up your daughter from basketball practice. You get there and stand around on the sidelines waiting for practice to finish not realizing you left your multi-tool hooked to your belt. The police and the public don’t usually like you having any shape objects around schools in particular so best to get into the habit of leaving your multi-tool in the glovebox.
It’s not a lawful excuse if you want to carry your multi-tool to defend yourself or anyone else.
Search – the police can search you at any time without a warrant if they reasonably suspect you are illegally carrying a weapon. There isn’t a definition of what “reasonably suspect” means so, in theory, that means to me they can search you when they want. One reason you could get searched for example is if you are somewhere and a fight breaks out. Even if you aren’t directly involved in it, you could be searched because you’re around a dangerous situation.
Queensland
Own – it is legal to own a multi-tool in Queensland.
Carry – Like the laws in NSW and Victoria, you can’t carry a knife in public unless you have a “reasonable excuse”. The law gives some examples of a reasonable excuse as doing primary production work (like working on a farm I guess), as part of being scout in your scout uniform (it doesn’t say the maximum age you can be), while you’re fishing or cutting food for a picnic in the park.
You can basically carry a multi-tool anytime if you’re using it for a lawful activity, duty or employment. Or if you are taking part in entertainment, recreation or sport. Don’t forget, if you’re not doing anything that falls into those categories, you’re breaking the law.
If you don’t have a reasonable excuse, the closest you get to being able to carry your multi-tool in public is the law allows you to carry a pen knife or a swiss army knife to do utility tasks with it. But that’s not going to make it OK to carry most multi-tools because the difference is those pen knives and swiss army knives don’t lock into position. Most multi-tool knives do lock so you’re back to square one.
Search – the police can search you if they reasonably suspect that you possess an unlawful knife. There’s no definition of “reasonably suspect” so this opens it up to interpretation by the police at the time they see you.
South Australia
Own – it is legal to own a multi-tool in South Australia
Carry – it’s illegal to carry a knife in public. It’s also illegal to visibly use or carry an offensive weapon (like a knife) in a public place that is likely to cause someone to fear for their personal safety. It’s also illegal to carry an offensive weapon or to possess a housebreaking implement without a lawful excuse.
What all this means is that South Australia has more reasons than some other states to make it illegal for you to carry a multi-tool. A multi-tool could be classed as an offensive weapon or a housebreaking implement so you need to make sure you have a “lawful excuse”. Some examples of a lawful excuse would be if you need it for your job or your recreational activity. And you could only argue that excuse if you were engaged in those activities at the time. If you’ve veered off to do something else on the way, don’t carry your multi-tool with you.
Search – the South Australian police can search you at any time using a metal detector if they have a reasonable belief you are carrying a concealed weapon. Laws use terms like “reasonable belief” to be vague and it means it could happen to anyone.
Western Australia
Own – it is legal to own a multi-tool in Western Australia.
Carry – you need to have a “lawful excuse” or have “reasonable grounds” to carry your multi-tool in public. It’s up to you to convince the police that you have a lawful excuse or have reasonable grounds to carry your multi-tool. If you’re carrying it specifically to do your job or you’re in the bush camping, you have a good chance of proving why you’re carrying it. But if you’re at your kid’s football game and you get into an altercation with the referee you could get arrested.
It’s also illegal to carry your multi-tool in a way that someone could expect you to injure or disable them or even fear that you could do that.
Search – the West Australian police can search you without a warrant if they believe it’s in the interest of public safety. So I guess if they suspect you are carrying a knife that you may be intending to harm someone with, they can search you and take away your multi-tool.
Tasmania
Own – it is legal to own a multi-tool in Tasmania.
Carry – you need to have a legitimate reason to carry your multi-tool in public. If you just want to have it with you in case you spot a loose screw, that’s going to get you out of trouble with the law. But if you’re carrying it as part of your camping, fishing or hunting experience or for work, that’s a lawful activity and OK. As usual, the burden is on you to prove to the police or to a court that you have a legitimate excuse.
Search – the police can’t search you without a warrant or taking you into custody if they suspect you are carrying a knife. They can if they suspect you are carrying a firearm but not a knife.
Real Life Tips for Carrying your Multi-Tool in Public
All Australian States have laws about carrying a multi-tool in public. That’s the law and you’re going to be a fully law-abiding citizen right? Right? As I’ve said already, I’m not a lawyer but I do live in a large Australian city and I carry my multi-tool with me every day. I’m living the multi-tool life! If you’re anything like me, you just quietly go about your business in public and you don’t cause any trouble or draw any attention to yourself.
You know it’s against the law in many States to wave your multi-tool knife around or threaten anyone with it. That’s a sure-fire way to get yourself arrested so you don’t ever do it. Your multi-tool is kept out of sight unless you have to use it and then you do so discreetly. You do have some rules for yourself though – you never take it onto school grounds, into a court or government building or when you’re out drinking.
If you act this way, there’s no reason why the police would give you a second glance. If they did have a reason to talk to you and maybe even search you, you would be polite andaccommodating.You would tell the police that you are carrying a multi-tool and you would have your reasonable excuse ready for when you’re asked why you’re carrying it in public.
There are many Australian users who report they live in big cities or in small towns in the country who act this way, carry their multi-tool in public and have never had a problem. It doesn’t mean YOU won’t have a problem. If you’re not obeying the law, you could get yourself in trouble. If you can’t prove you have a good reason to carry a multi-tool in public, you could be charged. It’s your decision and your multi-tool life. Choose wisely…
Knife Crime on the increase in Australia
The reason why Australia has gotten tough on carrying knives in public is because knife crime is on the increase.Back in the old days – the year 2000 – 30% of homicides were caused by knives and sharp objects. Fast forward to 2008 and now 43% of homicides involve knives and other sharp objects.
About half of the people who carry a knife do it because they want to protect themselves or others. I suspect that’s not the main reason we carry a multi-tool because we’re more interested in the utility a multi-tool gives us.
Multi Tools are certainly legal here in Australia as are many other tools and implements that have sharpened edges but for example although it is legal to own a Chefs Knife it is probably not legal to take it into a nightclub at 3 am in the morning unless you work there as a Chef.
In most states – including New South Wales, Victoria, Northern Territory, and South Australia – it is illegal to carry a weapon, even for self-defense. This includes knives, which states consider dangerous articles or prohibited weapons.
In general, you are prohibited from traveling with sharp objects in your carry-on bags. Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with knives of any length are prohibited. Please pack these items in your checked bags. Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with scissors less than 4 inches may be placed in carry-on bags.
a person may use a knife to prepare or cut food at a restaurant in a public place or when having a picnic in a park, or. a person may carry a pen knife or swiss army knife for use for its normal utility purpose.
Western Australia is the only place in Australia that allow you to carry an OC, capsicum or pepper spray for self-defence purposes in circ*mstances you have reasonable grounds to apprehend or lawful excuse.
In the criminal law of Australia, self-defence is a legal defence to a charge of causing injury or death in defence of the person or, to a limited extent, property, or a partial defence to murder if the degree of force used was excessive.
Australia is one of the strictest countries when it comes to knife regulations. Think of it this way, the US and UK let their citizens carry small pocket knives for as long as they are less than three inches long while Australia does not offer this kind of exception.
It can be illegal to carry any knife in public, including a kitchen knife, a Stanley knife or a pocket knife, if you do not have a lawful excuse. You can be fined or even charged with carrying a 'controlled weapon' in court.
Summary. While the multi-tool has many functions, one of the primary functions is that of a weapon. There are a variety of beams and projectiles which the Multi-tool can emit. They are often called "weapons".
As per our analysis, we have figured out that pocket knife is a tool. It can't be termed as a weapon since it is not a combat weapon. This small sized knife is not manufactured to be great for stabbing and thrusting actions. It is designed as an everyday carry tool.
They're also backed with a great guarantee. Can you take a multi-tool in your carry-on? Yes, you can carry a multi-tool without a blade in your carry-on luggage. If your multi-tool has a blade, you'll need to stash it in your checked baggage.
This includes a “pocketknife” or “Swiss army knife,” box cutter, or “utility knife.” According to California Penal Code Section 17235, all folding knives are legal in the state and may be concealed as long as they are in the folded position. There is also no restriction on the blade length of a folding knife.
It is illegal to carry any sharply pointed or bladed article in a public place (with the exception of a folding pocket knife, which has a blade that is less than 7.62cm or 3 inches). A lock knife is NOT a folding pocketknife and therefore it is illegal to carry these knives regardless of the length of the blade.
Self defence cannot excuse the use of force in order to avoid a threat of personal injury, property damage or trespass to land which is known to arise from the lawful conduct of another person.
People have the right to defend themselves in their home, but only if the response is proportionate to the threat, law experts say. Police in NSW are investigating whether the force a Sydney father used was reasonable when he confronted an intruder in his home on Sunday morning.
Import of brass knuckles into Australia is illegal unless a government permit is obtained; permits are available for only limited purposes, such as police and government use, or use in film productions. They are prohibited weapons in the state of New South Wales. In Brazil, brass knuckles are legal and freely sold.
👀 Stay tuned for the answer later this afternoon. The moment you've all been waiting for... A: In Victoria, it is illegal to carry a Swiss Army knife without lawful excuse (eg: employment purposes) as it is classified as a controlled weapon. It's almost illegal to breath in Victoria so the answer is obvious.
The concealed carry laws there allow law abiding citizens to carry a weapon. To get that permit one must pass a background and psychological check, do a certified course and pass a shooting test. Those with felony convictions cannot have a weapon and there is harsh jail time for convicted felons caught with firearms.
In general, property owners cannot use deadly force to protect property. But property owners may be able to shoot at trespassers in self-defense if they fear great bodily harm or death. The law gives property owners the right to defend themselves with a reasonable response.
Under the Castle doctrine, whenever someone breaks into your home and you have a “reasonable fear of imminent peril, or great bodily injury”, you will be justified in using whatever force necessary to defend yourself, including deadly force.
Possessing or using pepper spray is illegal in most of Australia, including NSW unless you have a permit, as it's considered a 'prohibited weapon' because it falls under the umbrella of an 'offensive weapon' by reason of it being classified as a 'dangerous weapon'.
In fact, you can legally buy an AR-15 in Australia, the gun used in the Florida shooting, but there are many hoops you need to jump through. “It's got to be your primary source of income,” says Mr Athanassiou. “You can only use it on your property ... you have to keep applying every year.
Australia. In Australia, switchblades are banned by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations as a Prohibited Import. Australian customs refer to the automatic knife or switchblade as a flick knife.
Is it legal to carry a pocket knife in Australia for self-defense? In most states – including New South Wales, Victoria, Northern Territory, and South Australia – it is illegal to carry a weapon, even for self-defense. This includes knives, which states consider dangerous articles or prohibited weapons.
Karambits, handheld curved knives that resemble a claw, are now expressly prohibited under new Item 28A. Permission to import is required from the Australian Border Force to import karambits and similar devices into Australia.
Players may own up to six Multi-Tools, and can switch the active Multi-Tool via the Quick Menu in the Utilities section. Owned Multi-Tools may be traded in to offset the purchase price of a different one. New players begin the game with the default Waveform Focuser N56-P model.
A multi-tool (or multitool) is a hand tool that combines several individual functions in a single unit. The smallest are credit-card or key sized units designed for carrying in a wallet or on a keyring, but others are designed to be carried in a trouser pocket or belt-mounted pouch.
As keen outdoor enthusiasts we are passionate about the items that we sell and about their appropriate and safe use. As such we do not sell bladed products to anybody under the age of 18 and reserve the right to cancel any order at our own discretion.
The TSA provides a list of constraints (must haves) and restraints (must not haves) for allowed edged blades: no more than 2.36 inches in length, 0.5 inches in width, with no blade lock and devoid of a molded handle.
Any knife or blade that is disguised so as to not look like a weapon is also illegal in California. This includes, cane swords, belt-buckle knives, lipstick case knives, air gauge knives, writing pen knives, etc. Blades that are undetectable to metal detectors (e.g., ceramic blades) are also illegal.
Tools 7 inches or shorter (measured from end to end when assembled) may be allowed in carry-on baggage. Power tools and all tools longer than 7 inches (measured from end to end when assembled) are prohibited in carry-on baggage; these items must be packed in your checked bags.
The absence of sharp edges and its small size has earned the Wallet Ninja the distinction of being TSA-approved. You are hereby cleared to carry the Wallet Ninja aboard your next flight. The Wallet Ninja is one of very few multi-tools approved by the TSA!
Including cordless portable power saws. Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.
So, who are the kind of men who carry pocket knives today? They are typically utilitarian. They are the type of men who work hard for a living, fix what is broken, and stand fearless in the face of a world full of evil.
The versatility of a knife makes it a perfect problem solver: It can be used to remedy minor pains, like a hangnail or splinter, or to tackle more dire scenarios, from making bandages or splints to cutting a driver out of his seatbelt.
The law says you can't carry, possess or use a weapon, including guns, knives, and other weapons and 'dangerous articles', to hurt people or to defend yourself.
Knives that are usually legal to carry almost anywhere include multi-tool devices, Swiss Army knives, and utility knives, and knives with blades that are shorter than 2.5 inches.
It is illegal for Licensed gun owners in Australia to use their firearm for self defence or for the defence of their family in an armed home invasion. It should be a human right to be able to defend yourself against an armed assailant, or against a stronger unarmed assailant.
Australia. All combustion and pneumatic spud guns are considered firearms in every state. Any device capable of being aimed and discharging a projectile using a barrel, and that has the potential to cause injury to a person, is considered to be a weapon and requires licensing.
While most of the newly-banned items are specialised firearms and accessories, also on the list were articles or things that contain a disguised or hidden blade or spike, often referred to as Credit Card Knives. Possession of these items will be banned from Wednesday March 28, 2018.
It is illegal to carry any sharply pointed or bladed article in a public place (with the exception of a folding pocket knife, which has a blade that is less than 7.62cm or 3 inches). A lock knife is NOT a folding pocketknife and therefore it is illegal to carry these knives regardless of the length of the blade.
In the criminal law of Australia, self-defence is a legal defence to a charge of causing injury or death in defence of the person or, to a limited extent, property, or a partial defence to murder if the degree of force used was excessive.
Extac Australia boasts one of the largest hunting, survival and tactical knives range online. We stock only the best brands including Cold Steel High Performance Knives, Buck Knives, Schrade Knives, Victorinox and SOG knives in Australia.
Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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