Annual Returns

The secretary or other relevant office holder if there is no secretary, must submit an annual return to the Firearms Registry in the approved form.  The approved form is an excel spreadsheet in the attached format. Please note that failure to use this template (“approved form”) will result in a club being non-compliant.

In addition to being in the approved form, the annual return must specify:

  • any change in the membership of the club that involves a member leaving the club or not renewing his or her membership, and
  • any change in the personal details of a club member that has been notified to the secretary or other relevant office holder in accordance with clause 103 of the Firearms Regulations 2017, and
  • failure by a member of the club to comply with the requirements of Part 10 (Participation requirements for club members) of the Firearms Regulations 2017.

Should a club have no members to report, you must still submit the blank return.

Clubs should email the completed excel spreadsheet to clubs@police.nsw.gov.au on or before its due date.

Annual Reporting and Compliance Period for existing Clubs and Approvals

Existing clubs have the option, which is encouraged by the Firearms Registry, to update their annual reporting and compliance period to align with the financial year. If a club or association decides to make this change, they will need to send an annual return to the Firearms Registry by 1st October 2023 for the period from their previous compliance period and reporting year-end up to 30th June 2023.

Subsequent annual returns must be submitted to the Firearms Registry by 1st October each year for the compliance period 1st July to 30th June.

Annual Reporting and Compliance Period for new Clubs and Approvals

New clubs that have been established from 1st January 2023, will need to submit their annual return in line with the financial year period from 1st July to 30th June.

The first annual return will contain participation information for current members from the month the club becomes approved up to and including 30th June and must be received by the Firearms Registry before 1st October to ensure the club complies with its reporting period requirements.

Subsequent annual returns must be submitted to the Firearms Registry by 1st October each year for the compliance period 1st July to 30th June.

COVID Exemption

We would like to remind all clubs that the COVID-19 exemption for club members to comply with participation requirements came to an end on 14th April 2022.  Compliance requirements and standards with respect to the delivery and facilitation of club activities and individual participation requirements are now in full affect.

The Firearms Registry expects all licence holders to comply with their participation requirements and will review the records of any licensees who are listed as non-compliant on annual returns on or after 14th April 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do I do if a member leaves the club in the middle of a compliance year or does not renew their club membership?

This information will be covered by your annual return when reporting club member non-compliance. There is no requirement for you to advise the Firearms Registry outside of the annual return.  It is the licence holder’s responsibility to advise the Firearms Registry of their new club membership and provide proof of membership by way of membership card or a letter form the club confirming membership.

What if the Club member is a new firearms licence holder and has not been licensed for the club's full compliance period?

The club member should be reported as non-compliant in the club’s annual return; however, the Firearms Registry will consider their participation in the context of how long the member has held a licence.

How do I report a member who has changed principal clubs during the compliance year?

The licence holder is responsible for reporting their participation to their new principal club.  If the new principal club does not receive this information and the club member does not meet their participation requirements, they should be reported as non-compliant in the club’s annual return.

How do I advise the Firearms Registry if I have concerns regarding a club member?

For any immediate safety concerns, call 000

For other concerns, please notify the police by calling 131 444

In addition to reporting any immediate safety concerns, clause 101(d) of the Firearms Regulation 2017 requires for a pistol club to notify the Commissioner if, in their opinion, a person who is a member of the club or who has applied for membership with the club, may pose a threat to public safety or a threat to the person’s own safety, if in possession of a firearm.  A pistol club can provide this information by submitting the Disclosure of Information form which is available on our website: Disclosure_of_Information_Cl.101.pdf (nsw.gov.au).