Firearms Permits

Prohibited Weapon Permits

Firearms Permits

What is a firearms permit and how is it different to a licence?

Permits are issued where a legitimate reason exists, but the reason or firearm falls outside the requirements of the licensing scheme.

Here are two examples:

  • A licence can only be issued to a person who is 18 years of age or over. Therefore, if a person under 18 years of age wishes to use a firearm, they cannot be issued with a licence, but they may make application for a Minor's Permit.
  • A NSW firearms licence can only be issued to a person who is a resident of NSW, or about to become a resident of NSW. When an overseas visitor wishes to participate in a shooting competition in NSW, they must obtain an Overseas Competitor Permit in order to lawfully possess and use a firearm in NSW.

How do I apply for a firearms permit?

Check if the item you wish to possess and use is a firearm. If you wish to possess and use a prohibited weapon, please refer to 'How do I apply for a prohibited weapons permit?'.

On the Firearm Permits homepage select the firearms permit you wish to apply for and refer to the detailed information provided to ensure you meet the criteria for that firearms permit.

Each type of firearms permit is listed on a separate page which contains -

  • Fact Sheet containing detailed information about the firearms permit and other related information
  • P634 Application for a Firearms Permit form
  • Legitimate Reason form
  • P635 Application for a Person to be Authorised on a Firearms Permit form. If applicable this form can be used for additional person/s to be authorised on the firearms permit other than the permit holder.

The forms are interactive so they can be completed electronically and then printed.

Once you have completed the firearms permit application form and the legitimate reason form, print the forms and forward them to the Firearms Registry with any supporting documentation (including P635 forms - if applicable). It is recommended that you use the checklist provided at the end of the legitimate reason forms to ensure that all required information is included with your application.

NOTE: The P634 Application for a Firearms Permit form is NOT to be used for an application for a firearms licence OR an application for a permit to acquire a firearm. If you wish to make application for a firearms licence or a permit to acquire a firearm, please refer to the information under Frequently Asked Questions for Firearms Licences and Acquiring a Firearm respectively.

What information and/or documents should I send with a Firearms Permit Application?

A Checklist detailing the information and/or documents that need to be sent with a Permit Application is provided on the Legitimate Reason form for each type of Firearms Permit.

Detailed information is also provided in the Fact Sheet for each type of Firearms Permit.

What happens if I do not provide all the required information to support my firearms permit application?

The Firearms Registry will contact you to request you supply further information to support your permit application. If this information is not provided within the stated timeframe, it will be considered that you no longer wish to proceed with your application and your application will be lapsed or refused if it is a renewal.

How long will it take to process my firearms permit application?

There is no legislated mandatory waiting period on firearms permit applications however, the Firearms Registry fully reviews all new applicants to ensure they satisfy legislative requirements. This may take some time as public safety is the Firearms Registry’s priority.

For details on current volumes and average processing days, please refer to the Firearms Registry Performance Dashboard.

What happens if my reason for having a firearms permit changes?

If your legitimate reason for having a firearms permit changes, you must inform the Firearms Registry within 14 days. You can do so by emailing the Firearms Registry Permits Unit: permits@police.nsw.gov.au.

How do I cancel my firearms permit?

If you no longer require a firearms permit you can notify the Firearms Registry in writing of your wish to cancel your permit.

If you have firearms registered in your name, you must dispose of your firearms before the cancellation of your firearms permit can occur. The disposal of firearms must be through a licensed Firearms Dealer and you must forward the completed Notice of Disposal (on the reverse of the Firearms Registration Certificate) to the Firearms Registry within 7 days of the disposal transaction.

How long will it take to process my Minor's Permit application?

There is no legislated mandatory waiting period on Minor's Permit permit applications however, the Firearms Registry fully reviews all new applicants to ensure they satisfy legislative requirements. This may take some time as public safety is the Firearms Registry’s priority.

For details on current volumes and average processing days, please refer to the Firearms Registry Performance Dashboard.

Prohibited Weapon Permits

How do I apply for a prohibited weapon permit?

Check if the item you wish to possess and use is listed on the Schedule 1 Prohibited Weapons available on the Prohibited Weapon Permit homepage. If you wish to possess and use a firearm, please refer to 'How do I apply for a firearms permit?'.

On the Prohibited Weapon Permits homepage select the type of permit you wish to apply for and refer to the detailed information provided to ensure you meet the criteria for that prohibited weapon permit.

Each type of prohibited weapon permit is listed on a separate page which contains -

  • FACT Sheet containing detailed information about the prohibited weapon permit and other related information
  • P638 Application for a Prohibited Weapon Permit form
  • Legitimate Reason form
  • P639 Application for a Person to be Authorised on a Prohibited Weapon Permit form if applicable – this form can be used for additional person/s to be authorised on the prohibited weapon permit, other than the permit holder

The forms are interactive so they can be completed electronically and then printed.

Once you have completed the prohibited weapon permit application form and the legitimate reason form, print the forms and forward them to the Firearms Registry with any supporting documentation (including P639 forms - if applicable). It is recommended that you use the checklist provided at the end of the legitimate reason forms to ensure that all required information is included with your application.

NOTE: The P638 'Application for a Firearms Permit' form is NOT to be used for an application for a firearms licence OR an application for a permit to acquire a firearm. If you wish to make application for a firearms licence or a permit to acquire a firearm, please refer to the information under FAQs for Firearms Licences or Acquiring a Firearm.

Do I need a licence or permit for a Sword?

In general, swords such as a sabre, cutlass, samurai sword, katana, etc fall outside the scope of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 and you do not need a licence or permit to own one and there are no specific safe storage requirements.

However, if a sword is concealed or appears to be something other than a sword, for example if it's concealed in a walking stick, it is classified as a prohibited weapon and you will require a special permit to possess it.

If you purchase a sword overseas you will need to declare the sword to Department of Home Affairs on your return to Australia - additional information can be found at https://www.border.gov.au/

Note, under section 11B of the Summary Offences Act 1988 .you cannot have possession of an offensive implement in a public place or school without reasonable cause and this would include swords.

Do I need a licence or permit for a Compound Bow?

Compound Bows are not controlled by the Firearms Registry in NSW. A Compound Bow is not a prohibited weapon and you do not require a licence or permit to own one.

Depending on how you intend to use the bow, you may wish to contact:

  • Archery Australia - for target shooting (www.archery.org.au)
  • Department of Primary Industries, Game Licensing Unit - for hunting (phone 02 63913750).

Note, a Crossbow is listed as a prohibited weapon and you require a prohibited weapon permit to possess one – please refer to the information regarding Prohibited Weapons Permits.

Do I need a licence or permit for a T-Shirt Cannon?

T-Shirt Cannons are classified as a prohibited weapon in NSW under Schedule 1, Item 4(9) of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 and you need to apply for a Prohibited Weapons Permit to lawfully possess and use one.

For enquires regarding Permits, you can email the Firearms Registry Permits Unit: permits@police.nsw.gov.au.