On August 5, the Australian government of Victoria announced a complete ban on the possession, sale and use of machete, to prevent the increase in the wave of violent crimes.
People have 3 months to hand over machete, before the ban takes effect from September 1. After November 30, anyone who is found to have an illegal machete can face up to 2 years in prison and a high fine.
Jacinta Allan and Police Secretary Anthony Carbines said more than 40 boxes have been planted at locations across the state, especially in areas that have experienced high levels of violence. Those who use machete for agricultural purposes, or have traditional and cultural reasons, are still allowed to keep it but must prove it when required by the police.
According to statistics, Victoria police seized an average of 44 illegal knives per day in 2025. From 2014 to now, sharp-armed weapons attacks at shopping malls have increased by 161%. Of these, the age group from 10 to 17 only accounts for 13% of the total number of crimes but are involved in 63% of robberies, 46% of serious break-ins and more than 25% of car thefts.
The government said that this measure is necessary to prevent crimes, especially the situation that is believed to be related to armed youth gangs. However, some residents mocked and questioned the effectiveness of the machete recovery boxes, saying the authorities are avoiding the root cause of the crime situation, including immigration and the activities of some African gangs in Melbourne.
Previously, the UK also applied a similar ban on homebuyards but was criticized for not thoroughly addressing the underlying cause of knife violence.
