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Australia · checked 2026-10-26 · Medium confidence

Knife carry law in South Australia

Possessing any knife in a public place, school or place of worship without lawful excuse is an offence (up to 6 months). Butterfly, flick, push, trench knives, daggers, swords and machetes are prohibited weapons. Self-defence is no excuse for carrying an offensive weapon. Knives cannot be sold to under 18s.

This summary rests on mostly official, partly secondary sources. Open questions are listed at the end. Treat anything marked unclear as a reason to leave the item at home.

How we apply the law

Rules are checked from the top. The first one that fits decides. Every verdict on this site comes from this list, not from hand typed cells.

  1. 1ProhibitedAny knife or tool, automatic or gravity or flick opening

    Flick knives and butterfly knives are prescribed prohibited weapons: possessing one is an offence (up to $20,000 or 2 years) unless an exemption applies. The religious exemption excludes butterfly, flick, push and trench knives.

    Source
  2. 2UnclearAny knife or tool, spring assisted

    The regulation defining 'flick knife' was not read; whether spring-assisted knives are caught is unknown. If not, they are ordinary knives needing a lawful excuse.

    Source
  3. 3ProhibitedA fixed blade, double edged

    Daggers, fighting knives, throwing, push and trench knives, and knife belts are prohibited weapons. Exact dagger definition in the Regulations not verified; a double-edged fixed blade may be caught.

    Source
  4. 4No restriction foundScissors only

    Scissors: no specific restriction found in the sources read.

    Source
  5. 5Reason neededAnything else

    Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

    Source

34 popular knives and tools, checked here

Specifications come from the makers. Where a maker does not publish the cutting edge length, a length rule can only be answered if even the full blade length falls on one side of the line. Otherwise the result is unclear, on purpose.

ProductSpecsResult
Kershaw Leekblade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not publishedUnclear
Why

The regulation defining 'flick knife' was not read; whether spring-assisted knives are caught is unknown. If not, they are ordinary knives needing a lawful excuse.

CRKT Squid Assistedblade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not publishedUnclear
Why

The regulation defining 'flick knife' was not read; whether spring-assisted knives are caught is unknown. If not, they are ordinary knives needing a lawful excuse.

Buck 110 Folding Hunterblade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Leatherman Arcblade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Benchmade Bugoutblade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Victorinox Cadet (Alox)blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Victorinox Classic SDblade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Victorinox Climberblade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)Reason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Gerber Dimeblade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

CIVIVI Elementumblade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Victorinox Huntsmanblade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

ESEE Izula-IIblade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Spyderco Ladybug 343 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)Reason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Leatherman Micrablade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Benchmade Mini Bugoutblade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapperblade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Opinel No.07 Stainless Steelblade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Opinel No.08 Stainless Steelblade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Spyderco Para 367 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)Reason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Spyderco Roadie44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)Reason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Leatherman Skeletool CXblade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Victorinox Spartanblade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Spyderco Squeak44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)Reason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Leatherman Squirt PS4blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Victorinox Swiss Card Classicblade length not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xblade length not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

W.R. Case & Sons Trapper76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)Reason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Leatherman Wave Plusblade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not publishedReason needed
Why

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones
Metal-detector search powers apply at declared shopping precincts, public transport hubs and vehicles, places of worship, all licensed premises, and public places for up to 6 hours where violence is feared.
Schools, workplaces and events
Education facilities (childcare to university and TAFE) and places of worship are covered since 1 July 2025.
In a vehicle
No vehicle-specific rule found. Carrying an offensive weapon at night in licensed premises or its car park is a 2-year offence (s.21C(3)).
Age limits
Selling a knife to a minor (under 18) is an offence ($20,000 or 2 years) since 1 July 2025.
Buying and importing
Prohibited weapons may be bought only by exempt persons. From 1 July 2026 retailers must lock up or tether sharp knives and display age-notice signs; online sellers must publish the age warning. Federal import controls apply.
Penalties
s.21E first offence $2,500 or 6 months; subsequent $5,000 or 12 months. s.21C(1) $2,500/6 months. s.21F $20,000/2 years.
Recent changes
1 July 2025: sale ban under 18, swords and machetes prohibited, public place and education facility coverage. 1 July 2026: phase 3 retail rules.
Pending changes
Retail rules for fishing stores exempt for 2 years from 1 July 2026.

Reasons the authorities have accepted

  • Lawful excuse is not defined in the Act read; the Regulations (s.21O) can prescribe circumstances, not read.

Sources

What we could not confirm

  • Summary Offences Regulations 2016 (prohibited weapon definitions, lawful-excuse circumstances) were not read directly.
  • Whether self-defence is expressly excluded for s.21E (as opposed to s.21C) was not confirmed in the Act text.
  • The statute version read ended 30.6.2026; any 1 July 2026 amendments (phase 3) were only read via AGD summary.

Keep going

General information, not legal advice. Know something we got wrong? Tell us and include a source.