- Who will be eligible to purchase, possess, carry and use OC spray?
To be eligible to purchase OC spray from 1 September, a person must:
- Be 18 years of age or over
- Present valid photo ID at the time of purchase
- Complete a declaration that you have no relevant criminal history, police or court orders
- Only purchase in person, from a Declared OC spray Firearms Dealers in the NT.
- What kind of valid identification do I need to show a Declared OC spray Firearms Dealer?
Valid identification means the original or a copy of any current of the following documents as long as they contain a photograph of the person purchasing:
(a) an Australian passport or other passport containing an Australian visa that is in force;
(b) another document evidencing entitlement to Australian residency;
(c) a licence or permit issued under a law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory that specifies the person's date of birth;
(d) a proof of age card issued by a State or Territory;
(e) an NT Working with Children Clearance.
- Who is prohibited from purchasing, possessing, carrying or using OC spray in the NT?
A person is a prohibited person and not eligible to purchase, possess, carry or use OC spray if, at the time of making the declaration, or at a time following making the declaration, one or some of the following apply:
- You are not 18 years of age (or older); or
- You have been found guilty of an offence holding a maximum penalty of two or more years imprisonment unless:
- If you went to prison – at least five (5) years have passed since you were released or since you were found guilty (whichever happened later); or
- If you didn’t go to prison – at least two (2) years have passed since you were found guilty; or
- Otherwise – at least two (2) years have passed since the day you were found guilty; or
- You have been found guilty of a disqualifying offence within the period of ten (10) years (see next section); or
- You are a reportable offender as defined in section 6 of the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Registration) Act 2004 (NT); or
- You have a final or interim domestic violence order (DVO) currently in force against you, or a final DVO was in force within the last five (5) years; or
- You have a personal violence restraining order or an interim personal violence restraining order is in force against you; or
- You are subject to an order, made in the NT or elsewhere, to keep the peace; or
- You have breached a condition of the Exemption: OC spray available here.
For more information, read the prohibited person factsheet.
- What if I’m not sure if I’m a prohibited person?
A Prohibited person fact sheet will be available. If you are still unsure whether you are a prohibited person you should seek legal advice.
For more information, read the prohibited person factsheet.
- Can visitors or tourists buy OC spray while in the NT?
Yes, visitors and tourists can buy OC spray while in the NT, as long as they:
- Are 18 years of age or over;
- Present valid photo ID at the time of purchase;
- Complete a declaration that you have no relevant criminal history, police or court orders;
- Only purchase in person from a Declared OC spray Firearms Dealers in the NT.