Prohibited Weapon Permits
To contact the Firearms Registry Permits Unit email: permits@police.nsw.gov.au.
What are prohibited weapons?
Prohibited weapons are itemised in Schedule 1 of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998. Possession and/or use of any of these items must be authorised by a permit.
- FACT Sheet - Schedule 1 Prohibited Weapons (PDF)
What is a Prohibited Weapon permit?
In NSW, the possession and use of "prohibited weapons" is governed by the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 and the Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
The Weapons Prohibition Act and associated Regulation permit the Commissioner, or his delegates at the Firearms Registry, to issue Prohibited Weapons Permits authorising the use of prohibited weapons where a person can show a genuine reason for the possession or use of the weapon - See section 11 of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998.
How do I apply for a Prohibited Weapon Permit?
Check if the item you wish to possess and use is a prohibited weapon.
Application forms for prohibited weapon permits are available by phoning the Firearms Registry on 1300-362-562 (within NSW) or 02 6670-8590 (interstate residents) or emailing permits@police.nsw.gov.au. Once completed, the form and any supporting documentation must be returned to the Firearms Registry.
- FACT Sheet - 100 POINT IDENTIFICATION
- FACT Sheet - FEE SCHEDULE
- FACT Sheet - Safe Storage Prohibited Weapons Levels 1, 2 & 3
- Recommended Safe Storage for Schedule 1 Prohibited Weapons
- Safe storage PW Dealer & Theatrical Armourer - Premises & Safes
- Safe storage PW Dealer & Theatrical Armourer - Display & Registers
- Safe Storage RSL & Museums Premises & Display Prohibited Firearms & Prohibited Weapons
Types of Permits
- Animal Management
- Arms Fair Principal Dealer
- Body Armour Vest
- Batons and Handcuffs
- Collector
- Dealer
- General Commissioner's Permit
- Heirloom
- Instructor
- Laser Pointer
- Overseas Competitor
- Production
- Public Museum
- Re-Enactment Event
- RSL Display
- Scientific Purposes
- Silencer
- Sporting
- Theatrical Armourer Weapons Permit
- Types of Permits
Prohibited Weapons Animal Management Permit
This permit is issued to a Veterinary Practitioner or a person on behalf of an organisation whose primary object is, or includes, the responsibility for the management of animals, who are required to possess and use a blow gun, blow pipe or any dart capable of being projected from a blow gun or blow pipe during the ordinary course of their duties. See Clause 25 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
Prohibited Weapons Arms Fair Permit
This permit is for holders of a current Prohibited Weapons Dealer Permit or a current Theatrical Armourer Weapons Permit to conduct an arms fair involving prohibited weapons (not firearms). This permit will also authorise the holder of a current Prohibited Weapons Dealer Permit or a Theatrical Armourer Weapons Permit (or interstate equivalent) to participate in an arms fair, involving prohibited weapons, conducted by the holder of a Prohibited Weapons Principal Arms Fair permit. See Clause 22 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
Prohibited Weapons Batons and Handcuffs Permit
This permit is for security firms and security guards who wish to purchase batons and handcuffs for use in approved security activities. Section 8(1) of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998.
Prohibited Weapons Body Armour Vest Permit
This permit is for security firms and media organisations wishing to possess body armour vests for employees. Clause 14 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Prohibited Weapons Collector Permit
This permit is for persons wishing to maintain prohibited weapons as a collection and/or displaying the weapons for educational, historical or commemorative purposes. See clause 19 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Note: The applicant must be able to demonstrate that the collection or proposed collection has a genuine commemorative, historical, thematic or financial value and must be a member of a prohibited weapons collectors club or society.
Prohibited Weapons Dealer Permit
This permit is for persons wishing to undertake a business, trade in or manufacture prohibited weapons. See section 20 & section 8 - Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 & Part 4 (clauses 27-28) - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
Prohibited Weapons Heirloom Permit
This permit is for persons wishing to retain possession of a prohibited weapon they have inherited. See Clause 24 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
Prohibited Weapons Instructor
This permit is for persons who wish to undertake activities involving the training of persons in the use of specified prohibited weapons for the purposes of instructing, training or competing in a sport or recreational activity. See Clause 15 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Note: The Instructor must be accredited as an instructor by an approved body OR is a registered training organisation within the meaning of the Vocational Education and Training Act 2005 that conducts a prohibited weapons training course that is accredited under that Act.
Prohibited Weapons Laser Pointer Permit
This permit is for a person who wishes to possess and use a laser pointer of over 1 milliwatt and who is not exempt as a member of an approved astronomical organisation. More information See Clause 14 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Prohibited Weapons Overseas Competitor Permit
This permit is for persons residing outside of Australia who are visiting or intending to visit NSW for the purposes of competing in a competition involving Prohibited Weapons conducted by an approved sporting organisation. See Clause 17 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Prohibited Weapons Production Permit
This permit authorises the possession & use of prohibited weapons for the purposes of a Film, Television or Theatrical Production. This permit is issued when weapons are hired from a Theatrical Armourer who is not present on site supervising the production and use of the weapons. See Clause 18 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
Prohibited Weapons Public Museum Permit
This permit is for public museums who wish to maintain prohibited weapons as part of their collection. See Clause 20 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Note: The collection must have a genuine commemorative, historical, thematic or financial value.
Prohibited Weapons Re-Enactment Event Permit
This permit is for historic or commemorative societies (or other organisations) wishing to conduct an historical re-enactment event/s involving the possession and/or use of prohibited weapons. This permit also authorises participants to possess and use the prohibited weapons to which the permit relates for the purposes of participating in the re-enactment event/s. See Clause 21 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Prohibited Weapons RSL Display Permit
This permit is for the Returned and Services League of Australia New South Wales Branch (RSL) and affiliated clubs or associations to possess and display weapons used during war conflicts. See Clause 23 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Prohibited Weapons Sporting Permit
This permit is for persons requiring the possession and use of specific prohibited weapons to undertake training or competing in a sport or recreation specified by the permit. See Clause 16 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009
Prohibited Weapons Scientific Purposes Permit
This permit is for persons requiring the possession or use of prohibited weapons for the purposes of carrying out legitimate scientific research. The applicant must provide evidence that the prohibited weapon is necessary in the conduct of that research. See Clause 26 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
Prohibited Weapons Silencer Permit
This permit is for a person requiring the possession or use of a silencer and can establish that there is a genuine requirement for it's possession or use. Section 8(1) of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998.
Theatrical Armourer Weapons Permit
This permit is for persons wishing to engage in a business involving the supply, training and supervision of prohibited weapons in theatrical productions. See section 8 - Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 & Part 5 (clauses 29-33) - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
General Commissioner's Permit
The Commissioner may issue a permit authorising the possession and use of prohibited weapons in such circumstances as the Commissioner thinks fit. This permit applies to all other circumstances where a prohibited weapon is necessary and the abovementioned permits is appropriate or relevant - Clause 14(2) of the Weapons Prohibition Regulation 2009.
If you are applying for a Commissioner Permit to possess and use prohibited weapons in circumstances other than those listed, you will need to complete a P638 - Application for a Prohibited Weapon Permit form and choosing "Other" in section E of the form.
In addition you will be required to provide information to support your genuine reason for obtaining such a permit.
