Hi,
NSW police have a webpage that details the use of lasers and another that lists the astronomy clubs whose members are approved to use higher power lasers.
https://ablis.business.gov.au/servic...20or%20builder.
https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data..._Societies.pdf
The Council of the AAQ has just last month renewed their registration with Queensland police. NSW registration seems to be permanent.
In NSW, if you print out or keep a copy of the above docs on your phone plus your membership card for your club, the police wouldn’t have any ground to complain.
I have used a powerful laser > 1mW in the rapid polar alignment device I designed and built many years ago. My device is not designed to be handheld. Nonetheless I am compliant if it’s treated as a handheld device. Used responsibly, you won’t attract any attention from the police.
You need to check the law and be compliant in your own state or any state in which you use it.
Cheers
Joe