No. Owning a flamethrower in Australia is prohibited under national and state-level weapons legislation, with exceptions for industrial or agricultural use requiring permits. The Australian Classification Board classifies flamethrowers as prohibited weapons, and state police forces enforce strict compliance under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 (NSW) and equivalent laws in other jurisdictions. Recent 2026 amendments to the National Firearms Agreement further restrict civilian access, mandating rigorous background checks and storage conditions for exempted users.
Key Regulations for Owning a Flamethrower in Australia
- Prohibition Status: Flamethrowers are classified as prohibited weapons under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 (NSW) and similar legislation in Victoria (Control of Weapons Act 1990), Queensland (Weapons Act 1990), and Western Australia (Weapons Act 1999). Possession without authorization constitutes a criminal offense.
- Permit Exemptions: Limited exemptions exist for industrial or agricultural purposes, requiring approval from state police firearms licensing units. Applicants must demonstrate a legitimate operational need, secure storage compliance, and pass stringent background checks under the National Firearms Agreement (2026 revisions).
- Interstate Variations: Jurisdictions like South Australia (Firearms Act 2015) and Tasmania (Weapons Act 1991) impose additional restrictions, including mandatory training and periodic inspections. Non-compliance risks fines up to $22,000 or imprisonment under state-specific penalties.