Licences and Genuine Reasons

Licence Applications

In NSW, any person seeking to possess and use a firearm must be authorised by way of a licence or permit.

All persons wishing to obtain a firearms licence in NSW must have a genuine reason for obtaining the licence and must meet a range of legislative requirements relating to that genuine reason.

FACT Sheet - Information on Obtaining a Firearms Licence in NSW (PDF)

Licence holders are only authorised to possess and use the category of firearm for which the licence has been issued and the firearm may only be used for the purpose established as being the genuine reason for holding the firearms licence.

The Genuine Reasons applicable to a firearms licence are listed below.

Once you have determined the appropriate genuine reason and category of licence, you may contact the Firearms Registry Customer Service line on 1300 362 562 to obtain your pre-printed licence application forms.

FORM - Request for Licence Application Forms - Form currently unavailable (contact Firearms Registry for forms)

'Sample' forms on this site are provided for your information only and cannot be used as an application form.

For any enquiries regarding licensing related issues, you can email the Firearms Registry Licensing Unit: frlicensing@police.nsw.gov.au.

Genuine Reasons

Firearms Safety Training Courses

If you are applying for a licence for the first time you will need to complete a Firearms Safety Training Course for longarms or pistols. Refer to each genuine reason FACT Sheet for information regarding applicable courses.

Safe Storage of Firearms

Licence holders must comply with the safe keeping and storage requirements prescribed by Part 4 of the Firearms Act 1996. For detailed information on these safe keeping and storage requirements, please see the 'Safe Storage' page.

Legislative Requirements

All licence holders must comply with the general legislative requirements of the Firearms Act 1996 and the Firearms Regulation 2006. To assist licence holders, these general legislative requirements can be found on the 'Authority and Conditions' page.

In addition, to these general legislative requirements, licence holders also have legislative requirements specific to the genuine reason and category of licence held. For example, a person who holds a Category AB firearms licence for Target Shooting must comply with all the general legislative requirements and with the requirements specific to AB taget shooters. Licence holders are advised to familiarise themselves with the legislative requirements specific to their genuine reason and category of licence contained within the Firearms Act and Regulation.