Common examples from the NSW list relevant to martial arts practitioners are Nunchaku and side-handled batons (tonfa).

Whilst listings of prohibited weapons vary from state to state, Police Ministers, in June 2001, put forward proposals calling for uniform National Prohibited Weapons Legislations. The MAIA supports this move.

For martial arts practitioners who desire to instruct in the use of an article that may be prohibited in NSW, Victoria and ACT, there already exists a "Prohibited Weapons Permit" system that will only allow a permit to be issued to bona fide accredited martial arts instructors.

For the purposes of this policy implementation, an "accredited instructor" is defined as a martial arts instructor who:

1. is an accredited instructor with the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (administered by the Australian Sports Commission)

2. is an accredited instructor with the National Martial Arts Instructors Accreditation Scheme administered by the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA)

For information on Accreditation, click on Instructor Accreditation in the menu bar.

It is important to note that the Martial Arts Industry Association does not issue Prohibited Weapons Permits. Permits are issued solely by the Police Service for the relevant state or territory.

The Martial Arts Industry Association's role is to confirm for the Police Service the bona fides of an applicant's instructor accreditation.

The procedures concerning applying for a Prohibited Weapons licence in NSW and Victoria are detailed on application forms that may be downloaded from our Publications & Forms page.