Cosplaying at Oz Comic-Con? Awesome!
Whether you’re donning a superhero mask for the first time or you’re a seasoned worbla maestro, we have some rules in place regarding certain props and behaviours that make sure everyone attending has a safe and super experience. Thanks for joining the show!
1. RESPECT EACH OTHER
Oz Comic-con is a family friendly event, so we expect all our attendees (and their cosplay) to keep this in mind. That means avoiding attire or behaviour that could offend. This includes overly revealing costumes (less than a standard swimsuit), offensive slogans or hateful symbols, attire or depictions.
Please be advised a staff member might ask you to cover up or remove any offending clothing, or vacate the premises.
2. FINAL PERMISSION FOR ANY PROP OR COSTUME RESIDES WITH OZ COMIC-CON
If you think your prop or costume could potentially cause issues, come see us at the PROPS INSPECTION booth Oz Comic-Con. If your prop is fine, we’ll tag it and let you enter the show. If it’s a potential safety concern, we’ll cloak it so you and other attendees can enjoy the event stress-free.
3. PROP SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITS
Please note that we can’t admit any props longer or wider than 2 metres, including carried props or costume elements like wings. The show can get crowded, and this is for your safety and the safety of others.
There is no strict weight restriction on props, but please use common sense.
4. MASKS
Any masks or facial coverings should be easy to remove (and removed if staff or security request it).
5. NO SHARP BITS
This includes weapon tips, barbed wire and spikes on armor. Please make sure everything is soft and blunt.
6. NO PROJECTILES OR WHIPS
Arrows, whips, Airsoft weapons and gel blasters are all strictly banned. Water or Nerf guns are fine if they’re empty, and bows are fine if the bowstring is loosely attached.
7. NO REAL OR REPLICA FIREARMS
Please ensure your prop firearms all have an obvious fluorescent tip. Any real or convincing replica firearms aren’t allowed. Please refer to relevant state laws about acceptable prop firearms for public use. There’s a link at the bottom of this page.
8. NO GLASS PROPS
Broken glass isn’t fun for anyone.
9. NO METAL WEAPONS
Metal weapons aren’t allowed. Other metal props are subject to clearance at prop check.
10. SPECIAL EFFECTS
Please exercise common sense with anything that shines lights or makes noise, and please make sure those elements can be easily switched off. Anything that makes smoke effects is not allowed on the show floor. No fireworks, mace, pepper spray, or laser pointers (with an accessible emission limit of greater than 1mW) are allowed.
11. NO HELIUM BALLOONS
As much as we would love to see your killer Pennywise cosplay, you can only put air in those balloons. Helium balloons get lost in the ceiling or sucked into the air conditioning will cost you a pretty penny in cleaning fees so leave them at home.
12. AT-SHOW PURCHASES
Oz Comic-Con features some exhibitors that sell props and weapons that fall outside the scope of our policies. In this case, exhibitors are instructed to sell these props in secure boxes at the show. If you take a restricted prop weapon out of its box within Oz Comic-Con, you will be removed from the convention without refund.
If you are caught with any of the above inappropriate props on the show floor of Oz Comic-Con, depending on the severity it will result in your prop being confiscated, checked into the Prop Inspection booth or your removal from the convention without refund.
If you misuse of any prop weapon, in particular swinging it in a public area or causing a hazard to attendees, we will be forced to either cloak your prop or be ejected from the show. Be aware of your surroundings if you are carrying a prop and keep an eye out for your fellow attendees!
Don’t be a jerk about the decisions of Oz Comic-Con staff and volunteers if your prop isn’t allowed into the convention. We understand you put a lot of work into your prop, but our primary concern is the safety of the attendees, and that IS more important than your authentic cosplay creation.
Some exhibitors or clubs will have specific exemptions with their props or behaviours in certain cases as arranged with Oz Comic-Con management, where we are confident of their safe use.
Have a question about any of the above? Contact us at [email protected]!
Victorian Weapon Regulations – Victorian Police website
New South Wales Weapons Regulations – New South Wales Police website
Queensland Weapons Regulations – Queensland Police website