There is currently an interim ban in place on the sale of machetes across Victoria. This ban was made under the Australian Consumer Law and came into effect from 12 midday on Wednesday 28 May 2025.

You cannot sell a machete in or into Victoria, both in store and online. From 1 September, new laws will ban the possession, use and sale of machetes in Victoria.

There are no exemptions while the interim ban is in place.

Later this year, legislation will come into effect to introduce a permanent ban on the possession, use, and sale of machetes in Victoria under Control of Weapons laws.

What are banned machetes?

The interim sale ban applies to all machetes, defined as large-bladed cutting knives. This definition aligns with the proposed permanent ban set to take effect later this year.

All items classified as a machete are covered. The ban uses the ordinarily understood definition of a machete and includes photos to help guide interpretation.

Machetes: being large broad-bladed cutting knives. Machetes may be goods of a kind (but not
restricted to) depicted in the following images:

Does the ban apply to online sales or only in store?

Product safety bans under the Australian Consumer Law apply to all supply or offers to supply in Victoria, whether sold in person or online. This means it is unlawful for online retailers to sell machetes into Victoria during the interim ban, and it is also unlawful to export machetes from Victoria under the ban.