Membership Meets Your Licence Requirements
From January 2026, club membership is mandatory for hunters and sport shooters under NSW law.
📄 The Legal Requirement
Under the NSW Firearms Act 1996 and the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (in effect January 2026), every licence holder must demonstrate a genuine reason for possessing a firearm.
For Recreational Hunting / Vermin Control and Sport / Target Shooting genuine reasons, membership of an approved shooting club is now mandatory — not just recommended.
🆕 What Membership Gets You
- Satisfies the mandatory club membership requirement
- Supports your genuine reason evidence on application
- Access to 8+ organised shoots per year
- Meets the minimum 2 events/year attendance rule (hunting)
- A welcoming community of fellow shooters
New from January 2026: Club membership is now compulsory for recreational hunters and sport shooters. Contact our Secretary to join before or during your licence application. See Contacts →
8 Steps to Your NSW Firearms Licence
Applications go through the NSW Police Force Community Self Service Portal using a MyServiceNSW account.
Establish your genuine reason
Determine which of the genuine reasons applies to you. The most common are Recreational Hunting / Vermin Control, and Sport / Target Shooting. See the full list below.
Join an approved club
For hunting or sport shooting genuine reasons, club membership is now mandatory. Contact us to join NENSW Hunting Club before or during your application.
Complete a Firearms Safety Training Course
Mandatory before applying. The course has two parts — an online theory module and an in-person practical session with an approved trainer. You receive a Statement of Attainment on completion.
Apply online via Service NSW
Log in at service.nsw.gov.au with your MyServiceNSW account. Upload your 100-point proof of identity, Safety Training Certificate, genuine reason documentation (e.g. club membership letter), and pay by Visa or Mastercard.
28-day cooling-off period
After submitting, the Registry issues an acknowledgment. Your application is processed after the mandatory 28-day waiting period. No action required from you during this time.
Photo and licence issue
If approved, you receive a Photograph Advice letter (valid 60 days). Take this to a Service NSW Centre to have your photo licence issued on the spot.
Apply for a Permit to Acquire (PTA)
Before purchasing any firearm, apply for a PTA through the Registry portal. A further 28-day waiting period applies before you can take possession of the firearm.
Arrange approved safe storage first
Arrange approved storage before your firearm is delivered. Category A & B firearms require a locked steel safe (Level 1). Ammunition must always be stored separately.
The 8 Genuine Reasons
You must nominate one or more of the following genuine reasons on your application.
Recreational Hunting / Vermin Control
For hunting on rural land where you are the owner or occupier, or have written permission from the landowner. Club membership now mandatory — minimum 2 club events per year required to maintain your genuine reason.
Sport / Target Shooting
As a financial member of an approved shooting club, shooting at an approved range. Minimum 4 shooting activities per year required. Club membership is mandatory.
Primary Production
For those engaged in the business of primary production on a property they own or manage. Club membership is not required for this genuine reason.
Vertebrate Pest Animal Control
For contract shooters, government agency officers, or primary producers participating in an authorised eradication campaign.
Business or Employment
Requires a current security licence (1F), training certificate, and endorsement from an approved master licensee.
Other Genuine Reasons
Also available: Commercial Fishing, Animal Welfare (humane destruction of stock), and Firearms Collector (possession only — no use).
Note: Personal protection is not a genuine reason under NSW law.
Which Category Do You Need?
NSW licences are issued by category. You may hold multiple categories on a single licence.
Category A
Rimfire rifles (not semi-auto), air rifles, shotguns (not pump-action or semi-auto). Most common starting category.
Category B
Centrefire rifles (not semi-auto), certain shotgun action types. Requires evidence of special need.
Category C
Self-loading rimfire rifles (mag ≤10 rounds), self-loading and pump-action shotguns (mag ≤5 rounds). Restricted.
Category D
Self-loading centrefire rifles, higher-capacity pump-action shotguns. Restricted — government agencies and professional pest controllers only.
Category H
Handguns and pistols (including blank fire and air pistols). For target shooting only. 12-month probationary licence applies.
Fees & Duration
| Licence Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New Cat. A, B, C, D or H — 2 years | $100 |
| New Cat. A, B, C, D or H — 5 years | $200 |
| Adding Cat. A, B, C, D or G to existing | $40 |
| Adding Category H to existing licence | $100 |
Fee exemptions apply for eligible pensioners (Cat. A, B & H) and primary producers (Cat. A, B or C). Payment by Visa or Mastercard.
Possession Limits
| Genuine Reason | Max Firearms |
|---|---|
| Recreational Hunting / Vermin Control | 4 |
| Sport / Target Shooting | 10 (Commissioner may approve more) |
| Primary Production / Animal Welfare / Business | 10 |
| Collectors and Dealers | No limit |
Category H handguns count toward these totals. Limits introduced by the 2025 Act apply to Permit to Acquire applications immediately.
Eligibility
You must be:
- An NSW resident
- At least 18 years old
- A "fit and proper person" — a background check is conducted for criminal history and intervention orders
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident (New Zealand citizens are eligible only for employment-related genuine reasons)
Safe Storage
Level 1 — Category A & B
Locked steel safe or storage facility meeting NSW Police specifications, anchored to the premises.
Level 2 — Category C, D & H
Locked steel safe with a deadbolt lock meeting higher construction standards, with more stringent anchoring requirements.
All categories: Ammunition must be stored separately from firearms at all times — no exceptions.
Useful Links & Contacts
📞 NSW Police Firearms Registry
Phone: 1300 362 562
Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm (excluding public holidays)
🔒 Safe Storage Guide
Disclaimer: Information on this page reflects the NSW Firearms Act 1996 and the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 as at early 2026. Requirements can change — always confirm current requirements with the NSW Police Firearms Registry before applying.