Weapons Exemption

At all levels of membership you will have access, on successful application, to the WTQA Control of Weapons Class Exemption. All members in possession of a prohibited weapon are required to be registered and to carry a membership or exemption card with their weapons.

In Victoria, the Control of Weapons Act 1990 outlawed, among other activities, the sale, advertising for sale, possession, use and carriage of prohibited weapons. The weapons referred to in the Act include our Tai Chi and Wushu swords and sabres.

Serious and significant penalties apply to any breach of these regulations unless an exemption has been sought and granted in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Act.

WTQA holds a class exemption on behalf of our members.

Members living in Victoria, or travelling to Victoria, with these weapons in their possession may apply to WTQA for inclusion in the Class Exemption. Members who own either Tai Chi or Wushu swords or sabres are strongly advised to complete a membership application to join this Class Exemption to ensure the legality of your weapons practice.

“A sword is defined under sch.2 of the Regulations as being a thrusting, striking, or cutting weapon with a long blade having 1 or 2 edges and a hilt or handle. A sword is still classified as a sword even if the 1 or both blades are blunt.”Ref. We have been advised that this includes wooden weapons.

If you are a member of a WTQA Affiliated School or Organisation you may already be covered by their membership. It is the individual practitioners’ responsibility to check their cover status with their School or Organisation. The exemption will enable members to legally possess, use and carry these weapons for the purpose of study, practice, training, teaching and competing in the sport. Such weapons need to be either in a carry bag or wrapped in a cloth (or some other material) so as not to be visible or readily available when carrying.

If you own these weapons, please fill out a relevant membership application form, complete all the requirements and submit them to WTQA as soon as possible.

The above notes do not purport to be professional legal advice. If you have any doubts as to requirements please consult the original legislation.

WTQA Class Exemption Organisation Member Responsibilities:

Organisation Members are responsible for the following:

• Issuing identification cards to all students who own or practise with a sword. This is a requirement under the Victorian Control of Weapons Act 1990.

• Ensuring that any Instructor or student requiring Class Exemption coverage under the WTQA Organisation’s Class Exemption is not a “Prohibited Person” as defined in Section 3 of the Control of Weapons Act 1990. Please refer to the Additional Conditions of the GIC Order Requirements for Organisation Members for further information.

• Issuing cards annually upon receipt of the WTQA Organisation’s Class Exemption card. Cards should display an expiry date corresponding with the WTQA membership period (for example, 1 July 202X to 30 June 202X).

• Ensuring each card includes:

  • the Instructor’s or student’s name,

  • the Organisation’s name,

  • the Organisation’s contact phone number, and

  • the Organisation’s WTQA membership number.

  • The card does not need to display the WTQA logo, although inclusion of the logo is recommended.

• Maintaining a current register of all Instructors and students who own or practise with weapons, including their residential addresses and contact details, as required under Victorian legislation.

• Maintaining records of past Instructors and students who owned or practised with swords.

Please scroll to the lower section of this page for links to the relevant documentation.