This policy outlines the procedures undertaken by The Department of Art: Prop and Costume House in the process of hiring out weapons and other items deemed sensitive or high risk. We take the safety of both our customers and the general public very seriously and recognise that we have a responsibility to ensure due diligence is carried out in the process of hiring out weapons and sensitive or high-risk items.

Items Deemed To Be Weapons/Sensitive or High-Risk

This policy applies to all props in our catalogue that are listed as controlled weapons in Schedule 2 of the Weapons Regulations 1999. This policy also applies to any item deemed to be sensitive or high-risk by The Department of Art.

An item is deemed to be sensitive or high-risk if it could pose a safety or security risk. This may include, but is not limited to, the following examples:

• Items that are not weapons, but could be misused to harm or injure people or property
• Items that could be used to deceive, defraud, or otherwise exploit people or organisations
• Items that could be used in other ways to commit a crime

We reserve the right to determine whether or not an item is sensitive or high-risk. A weapon or sensitive/high-risk item will be designated as such on https://the-department-of-art-prop-and-costume-house.booqable.com/. 

Our Rental Policy For Weapons and Sensitive/High-Risk Items

The Department of Art: Prop and Costume House complies with all laws and regulations set out in the Weapons Act 1999 and the Weapons Regulations 1999, and with any other relevant state or federal legislation. 

All items that fall under the scope of this policy (as specified in section 2) and leased by us are intended solely for use as props in dramatic productions.

It is the responsibility of the production hiring the props to ensure the safety of all people, animals, and property on set, as well as the safety of the general public, and to maintain compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.

Photographic ID is required when customers collect or receive such props, and a copy of this will be held on file until the props are returned.

Clause 6 of the Rental Agreement sets out the terms that relate specifically to props dealt with under this policy.

Weapons and Sensitive/High-Risk Items Rental Procedures

When a customer hires a weapon or an item deemed to be sensitive/high risk, the below procedures will be followed by our staff in addition to regular rental procedures:

• Photographic ID must be presented upon receipt of the props by the customer. A copy of this will be taken and retained until all props are returned.
• We will use this ID to complete our Know Your Client (KYC) checklist, which will be kept on file. A copy of this checklist is available on request.
• Depending on the risk profile of the props hired, a higher rental bond amount may be determined at our discretion.
• Depending on the risk profile of the props hired, our staff may need to sight proof that the local authorities have been notified of the productions’ use of the props in question. 
• All copies of customer photographic ID will be destroyed once all props have been returned and checked by our staff.
• We will provide relevant customer information to any law enforcement agencies upon request.
• When transporting weapons and/or sensitive/high-risk items, staff must ensure these items are securely packaged to avoid injury and causing alarm to the general public. When transporting these items, staff must carry supporting rental documentation that they can provide to law enforcement upon request.

More information about how we handle your personal information can be found in our Privacy Policy

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this policy or our weapons and sensitive/high-risk items procedures, please contact us via email at [email protected] or click here to use the enquiry form on our website.

Changes To This Policy

If changes to this privacy policy are made, the updated policy will be available to view on our website.

Last revised: 4 September 2024