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Northern Territory Launches Trial Allowing Legal Pepper Spray Sales

The initiative is designed to bolster recent law and order reforms by letting vetted adults carry low-percentage non-lethal pepper spray under strict conditions.

The Northern Territory government is set to increase its safety measures by allowing the public use of pepper spray for self defence in a 12-month trial.

Overview

  • The 12-month pilot will begin on September 1, 2025, allowing approved NT adults to buy and carry a low-percentage OC pepper spray for self-defense.
  • Prospective buyers must be at least 18, present valid Northern Territory photo ID and have no serious criminal history or domestic violence orders.
  • Pepper spray sales will be restricted to licensed dealers and overseen by a newly established community reference group in consultation with NT Police.
  • The trial is part of Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s broader law and order reforms, which include $1.5 billion in corrections funding, stricter bail laws and lowering the age of criminal responsibility.
  • The NT will become the second Australian jurisdiction to permit licensed pepper spray possession after Western Australia.