Firstly, using the NIJ Standard, decide on the level of protection you require.

Secondly, decide whether you need a covert, overt or tactical vest.

Lastly, decide on any options that you will need; strike plates, pockets, collar, decals, etc.

The vest will protect you from multiple hits. Once the incident has concluded, the vest should be replaced immediately.

Some body armour manufacturers will provide you with a free replacement, in exchange for your story of events to help with their marketing.

Australian private citizens will need written approval from their State or Territory police service.

As body armour is also controlled at the Australian borders, International customers will need to provide us with an end-user certificate (EUC) so we can gain export approval. This approval takes approximately ten business days.

Not every Australian citizen can purchase body armour. Ballistic body armour is classed as a category E firearm under the Australian Firearms Act.

Anyone can apply for a permit, but generally only applicants who are members of a police service or the security industry are accepted. Australians wishing to use body armour domestically (within Australia) will need to apply through the appropriate departments, listed below:

Our research has enabled us to develop very lightweight vests by comparison with our competitors.

If we receive accurate measurements from you, we are confident we will make you a very comfortable, lightweight vest.

We have a number of different ballistic protection solutions to suit a range of levels of protection.

Materials commonly used in our ballistic vest include Dupont Kevlar XP®, DSM Dyneema®, Honeywell Spectrashield® and Honeywell Goldshield®.

Normally a covert vest is made to a maximum NIJ Standard of Level IIIA, which does not provide protection against rifle fire.

Where such a threat exists, smaller strike plates can be temporarily fitted to the vest for short periods of time. With strike plates fitted, it is virtually impossible to conceal the appearance of the vest.

During testing, up to six shots are fired into the soft armour panel of the vest.

There is no doubt that each shot degrades the armour to some extent. It is usual for good quality armour to defeat all six shots, if they are spaced out in accordance to the NIJ standard.

It is possible that if a number of strikes are very close together, then penetration may occur.

A vest will last quite a long time, when properly maintained.

Aramid (Kevlar®) and UHMWPE based vests generally have a service life of 5-7 years depending on the body armour manufacturer and most importantly the amount of use and how well the vest is looked after.

It is likely that after 5 years technological improvements will provide improved levels of protection at the same or lesser weights. Read how to properly care for your new vest.