What Guns Are Legal in Australia? Complete Guide to Firearms Regulations and Licensing Requirements
Australia permits civilian ownership of specific firearm categories (A, B, C, D) with strict licensing requirements. Category A includes rimfire rifles, shotguns, and air rifles. Category B covers centerfire rifles and lever-action shotguns. Category C restricts semi-automatic rifles and pump-action shotguns to occupational use. All firearms require licensing, background checks, and a legitimate purpose—self-defense is not accepted.
How Australia Classifies Firearms
The National Firearms Agreement divides firearms into five licensing categories based on characteristics and relative risk. Each category carries different restrictions and licensing requirements.
Category A (Lowest Restriction) Rimfire rifles, single and double barrel shotguns. Air rifles fall under this category. These are the most accessible firearms for licensed civilians.
Category B (Moderate Restriction) Single shot and repeating centerfire rifles. Lever-action shotguns with a magazine capacity of five rounds and muzzleloading weapons built after 1901.
Category C (Restricted Access) Semi-automatic rimfire rifles with a magazine capacity no greater than 10 rounds, and semi-automatic or pump action shotguns with a magazine capacity no greater than 5 rounds. Only farm workers, clay target shooters, firearms collectors, firearms instructors, firearms safety officers, and primary producers can apply.
Category D (Prohibited for Most Civilians) Self-loading centerfire rifles. Ownership restricted to military, police, and professional vertebrate pest controllers. The Bushmaster AR-15 falls into this category.
Category H (Handguns) Handguns require special licensing. Applicants must complete a six-month probationary period and can only use handguns at approved gun clubs or under supervision.
Who Can Own Firearms in Australia
Owning and using a firearm is limited to people who have a genuine reason—self-protection does not constitute a genuine reason. This fundamentally differs from US gun ownership philosophy.
Age Requirements Applicants must be over 18 for a firearm licence, but can apply for a firearm minor permit if under 18.
Criminal History Restrictions No violent criminal offences, fraud charges, paperwork perjury, or illicit substance use charges can be on your record.
Accepted Genuine Reasons Sport/target shooting, recreational hunting, primary production, pest control, business or employment, rural occupation, animal welfare, or firearm collector status.
The Licensing Application Process
The licensing process involves multiple steps and mandatory waiting periods designed to verify applicants thoroughly.
Step 1: Establish Genuine Reason Provide required proof for your genuine reason—club membership proof, employment verification, collector society membership, or accountant/solicitor confirmation of primary producer status.
Step 2: Complete Firearms Safety Course Complete a multi-day firearm safety course, pass a written test and practical assessment to receive certification.
Step 3: Submit Licence Application Typical weapons licences in Australia cost about $150. The application fee is $110.95, and the fee for applying to own a handgun, shotgun, or centerfire rifle is $36.65.
Step 4: Permit to Acquire (PTA) A weapons licence shows proper fitness and training, but Queensland residents must also get a PTA for each weapon they purchase. This allows each weapon owned by each person to be tracked.
Step 5: Waiting Period There is a mandatory 28-day waiting period to complete further background checks. Some states have relaxed this for existing licence holders acquiring additional firearms.
Step 6: Registration All firearms used by licence and permit holders must be registered, except for firearms exempt from registration requirements. The Australian system requires both the licensing of individual shooters and the registration of each firearm.
Prohibited Weapons and Complete Bans
Australia maintains a strict list of completely prohibited firearms that civilians cannot possess under any circumstances.
The National Firearms Agreement introduced stricter gun control measures and explicitly made gun ownership a privilege. In two federally funded gun buybacks and voluntary surrenders and State Governments’ gun amnesties, more than a million firearms were collected and destroyed, possibly a third of the national stock.
Fully Automatic Weapons Fully-automatic rifles (‘machine guns’) are never permitted for civilian ownership.
Semi-Automatic Centerfire Rifles Most semi-automatic centerfire rifles like the AR-15 are Category D firearms restricted to law enforcement and licensed pest controllers only.
Replica and Imitation Firearms Under Australian law you are not allowed to import replica or imitation firearms into Australia without permission. The importation of replica and imitation firearms is controlled under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
Storage and Safety Requirements
Strict storage regulations apply to all firearm owners to prevent theft, unauthorized access, and accidents.
Mandatory Storage Standards From 30 August 2022, firearms must be stored in a purpose-built steel storage receptacle. The steel must be of a thickness of at least 1.6mm. If the receptacle weighs less than 150 kilograms when empty, it must be bolted to the structure of the premises.
Lock Requirements When firearms are stored in the receptacle, it must be locked with a lock of sturdy construction.
Ammunition Storage Ammunition must be stored in a separate locked container to the firearms. This separation prevents immediate access to a loaded weapon.
Transportation Rules Firearms should be transported by storing them in a padded or hard case. Firearms and magazines must not be loaded. The operability of the firearm should be limited where possible by removing bolts, opening the action, or using trigger locks. Cartridge ammunition should be stored separately from the firearm.
Storage Address Requirements You are required to let Victoria Police know of the physical storage location of each firearm in your possession. You must notify the Licensing and Regulation Division within 14 days should the ordinary storage address of a firearm change.
Penalties for Non-Compliance If you fail to comply with storage requirements, you could be facing 60 penalty units or 12 months’ imprisonment increasing up to 240 penalty units or four years’ imprisonment depending on the category of firearm.
Ammunition Regulations
A person must not possess ammunition unless the person is the holder of a licence or permit to possess a firearm which takes that ammunition.
Purchase Requirements Ammunition for a firearm may only be supplied to a person who produces at the time of supply identification showing their name and a current firearms licence or permit for a firearm that takes the type of ammunition being acquired.
Storage Mandates Ammunition must be stored in a locked container separate from firearms. Keys to ammunition storage must not be stored with firearm safe keys.
Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession
Australian courts treat illegal firearm possession as extremely serious, with substantial imprisonment terms for violations.
Unauthorized Possession The maximum penalty for unauthorized possession of firearm is 5 years imprisonment.
Prohibited Firearms or Pistols The maximum penalty for possess or use unauthorized prohibited firearm or pistol is 14 years imprisonment.
Unregistered Firearms The maximum penalty for unregistered firearms is 10 years imprisonment if the firearm is a prohibited firearm or pistol, or 5 years imprisonment in any other case.
Multiple Prohibited Firearms Possession of 3 or more prohibited firearms or pistols carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment in the Local Court and 10 years imprisonment in the District Court where the weapon is a regular firearm, and a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment in the District Court where the weapon is a pistol or prohibited firearm.
Queensland Penalties Depending on the category and number of weapons possessed, the maximum penalty is between 2 and 13 years imprisonment. If a weapon is unlawfully possessed in the course of committing another offence, then a mandatory minimum penalty of 6 to 18 months actual custody applies.
Sentencing Outcomes Unauthorized or otherwise illegal possession was the most common offence prosecuted, followed by offences relating to improper safekeeping and storage of firearms. Persons proven guilty mostly received a fine, with a smaller but sizeable proportion receiving a sentence of imprisonment.
Despite the illegal possession of firearms being considered extremely serious by NSW courts, it is often possible for the offender to be dealt with by way of a Section 10 without conviction. The statistics state that 20% of first offenders who plead guilty and are dealt with in the local court are sentenced to a Section 10.
How Australian Gun Laws Compare to US Regulations
The fundamental differences between Australian and US firearms regulations reflect entirely different legal frameworks and cultural attitudes toward gun ownership.
Constitutional Differences Australia’s Constitution is not based in the guarantee of individual rights like speech, assembly, equal protection, and gun ownership, and has a far easier method of amendment than its US counterpart. There is no legal right to gun ownership in the United States. Owning and using a firearm is limited in Australia to people who have a genuine reason and self-protection does not constitute a genuine reason.
The Port Arthur Catalyst In April 1996, 35 people were shot dead by gunman Martin Bryant in Tasmania. Within 12 days of the Port Arthur massacre, all six Australian states agreed to enact the National Firearm Agreement establishing a national registry of firearm owners and a buyback program, and placing a complete ban on semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.
Registration and Licensing The Australian system requires both the licensing of individual shooters and the registration of each firearm. Most US states do not require firearm registration, and many allow gun ownership without licensing.
Waiting Periods The NFA requires Australians to wait 28 days before they purchase a gun, as this is the time required for extensive background checks. Many US states have no waiting period or significantly shorter waiting periods.
Mass Shooting Outcomes The country hasn’t had a mass shooting since [the Port Arthur massacre in 1996]. Comparatively, the US has had more than 300 mass shootings in 2022 alone. Roughly 90 people are killed by a firearm every day.
Self-Defense Justification Interestingly, “self defence” is not an accepted genuine reason, putting the Australian position in stark contrast to many US pro-gun arguments. The US permits self-defense as a primary justification for firearm ownership in most jurisdictions.
Scale of Gun Ownership In Australia roughly 45 per cent of the population support the current gun laws, and 44 per cent want them to be strengthened. Nearly four in ten Americans say they live in a household with a gun.
Recent Legislative Changes and Current Enforcement
Australian firearms regulation continues to evolve with new storage requirements and enforcement mechanisms.
Compliance Issues A 2017 study commissioned by Gun Control Australia found that Australian states had significantly weakened gun laws since the National Firearms Agreement was first introduced, with no jurisdiction fully compliant with the Agreement. For example, many states now allow children to fire guns under strict supervision and the mandatory 28-day cooling-off period required for gun purchases has been relaxed, with no waiting period for purchasers who already own at least one gun.
Firearm Numbers Despite extensive gun law reforms following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, the number of privately owned firearms in Australia has increased. As of the latest available data, there are over four million registered firearms nationwide—25% more than in 1996—and nearly one million firearm licenses issued across states and territories.
Firearm Prohibition Orders In May 2018 Victoria introduced firearm prohibition orders to reduce firearm related-crime by targeting those who want to possess, use or carry firearms for unlawful purposes. The person served with an order must immediately surrender any firearm and the firearms licence is cancelled.
Western Australia Storage Updates The Firearms Reform Act 2024 has been passed through Parliament with provisions to increase the level of security required for the storage of firearms in Western Australia. The new storage requirements aim to provide a considerably higher level of protection and security.
Compliance Inspections SAPOL officers conduct regular audits to ensure firearm licensees are maintaining the minimum requirements of firearm security and compliance. Under Section 18(2)(c) of the Firearms Act, licensees must allow inspections of their firearms and storage facilities at any reasonable time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a gun for self-defense in Australia?
No. Self-defense is not an accepted genuine reason for firearm ownership in Australia. You must demonstrate a legitimate purpose such as sport shooting, hunting, pest control, or occupational use.
How long does it take to get a firearms licence in Australia?
The process typically takes several months. You must complete a multi-day safety course, pass written and practical tests, submit your application with proof of genuine reason, and wait through a mandatory 28-day background check period.
Are AR-15 rifles legal in Australia?
No. AR-15 style rifles are classified as Category D firearms and are restricted to military, police, and professional vertebrate pest controllers. Civilians cannot legally own these weapons.
What happens if I’m caught with an unregistered firearm?
You face severe penalties. Possession of an unregistered firearm carries up to 5 years imprisonment for standard firearms or 10 years for prohibited firearms or pistols. Additional charges may apply for storage violations or lacking proper licensing.
Do I need a separate permit for each gun I buy?
Yes. In addition to your firearms licence, you must obtain a Permit to Acquire (PTA) for each individual firearm you purchase. This allows authorities to track every weapon owned by each licensed person.
Where must I store my firearms?
Firearms must be stored in a purpose-built steel safe meeting minimum construction standards (at least 1.6mm steel thickness). Safes under 150kg must be bolted to the structure. Ammunition must be stored separately in a locked container. Failure to comply carries penalties up to 4 years imprisonment.
Can I transport my firearms in my vehicle?
Yes, but firearms must be unloaded, stored in a padded or hard case, have limited operability (bolt removed or action open), and be kept out of public sight. Ammunition must be stored separately. Return firearms to approved storage immediately after use.
How often must I renew my firearms licence?
Licences must be renewed every 3 or 5 years in most states, or 10 years in the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Queensland. Renewal requires demonstrating continued genuine reason for ownership and compliance with all regulations.
This article provides general information about Australian firearms law. Regulations vary by state and territory. For specific legal advice about firearm licensing, prohibited weapons, or firearms offences, consult with a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction or contact your state firearms registry. Information current as of December 2025.
Related Resources:
- Australian Federal Police Firearms Information
- NSW Police Firearms Registry
- Victoria Police Firearms
- Queensland Police Weapons Licensing
- National Firearms Agreement 2017
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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