Obtaining a firearm licence 

To obtain a firearm licence you should follow the steps listed below:

Phone the NSW Firearms Registry Customer Service Line on 1300 362 562 to apply for a NSW Firearms Licence. You will need to advise the Customer Service Operator of your "Genuine Reason" for using a firearms (i.e. Sport/Target Shooting or hunting) and the category of licence you wish to use.

Categories include:

• Category A: air rifles, rimfire rifles (.22 calibre), and shotguns (not pump action).
• Category B: centrefire rifles, shotgun/centrefire combinations.
• Category H: pistols

Your details will be taken over the phone and a personalised Application for a Personal Firearms Licence and applicable Genuine Reason Form P660 &/or P661 will be posted out to you for completion.

For Target Shooting you must become a member of an approved Target Shooting Club. For Hunting you must be a member of an approved club, owner/occupier of rural land or have permission to shoot from an owner/occupier of rural land. When submitting your licence application the club details should be completed on the back of the Genuine Reason form, including club approval number which can be obtained from your club official.

If applying for a pistol licence when you join a Pistol Club you will be asked to submit the names of 2 character references from persons who are of or above the age of 18 and who have known you for at least 2 years.

New applicants will need to complete either a Firearms Licence Qualification (Long-arms) Course and /or a pistol Certificate of Firearms Safety Course.

• For rifles and shotguns - approved courses are conducted by approved organisations, clubs and safety officers. Contact SISC to make a booking to undertake the Firearms Licence Qualification (Long-arms) course.

These forms or certificates will need to be returned with your application to the NSW Firearms Registry.

More fact sheets and information can be found at www.police.nsw.gov.au/services/firearms