The Victorian Government has unveiled a machete amnesty ahead of the statewide ban in September.

The maximum penalty for those found guilty is two years’ imprisonment or a fine of more than $47,000.

Victorians will be able to dispose of their machetes at one of 40 safe disposal bins located around the state at police stations.

The amnesty period will run from September 1 to November 30, and people will be able to hand in a machete during this time without penalty.

“Victorians have zero tolerance for knife crime and so do we – we’re enacting this ban and boosting Victoria Police’s powers because community safety always comes first.”

There are some exemptions in place, including agricultural workers who use machetes as part of their job.

Those who claim they use a machete in a traditional, historical or cultural capacity will be granted an exemption.

An interim sales ban on machetes in Victoria was announced in May.