Prohibited Weapon Permits

To contact the Firearms Registry Permits Unit email: permits@police.nsw.gov.au.

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 1999.

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.

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

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 and FACT Sheets 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

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 26 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

Prohibited Weapons Arms Fair Principal Dealer 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 only (not firearms). See Clause 22 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

Prohibited Weapons Arms Fair Participant Permit

This permit is for person/s who hold a current Prohibited Weapons Dealer Permit or a Theatrical Armourer Weapons Permit (or interstate equivalent) and who wishes to participate in an arms fair, involving prohibited weapons, conducted by the holder of a Prohibited Weapons Principal Arms Fair permit. See section 8 - Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 & Clause 23 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

Note: The application for an Annual Arms fair participant permit is applicable to NSW residents only and must be made no later than 21 days prior to the commencement of the first arms fair to be attended.

Prohibited Weapons Body Armour Vest Permit (Media)

This permit is for media organisations wishing to possess body armour vests for employees and personnel deployed to locations involved in war and/or civil unrest. See Clause 13 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

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 18 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

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 28-29) - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

Prohibited Weapons Heirloom Permit

This permit is for persons wishing to retain possession of a prohibited weapon they have inherited. See Clause 25 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

Prohibited Weapons Re-Enactment Event Permit

This permit is for historic or commemorative societies wishing to conduct an historical re-enactment event that requires the possession and/or use of prohibited weapons. See Clause 20 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

Prohibited Weapons Re-Enactment Event Participant Permit

This permit is for persons wishing to participate in historical re-enactment events conducted by historic or commemorative societies that require the possession and/or use of prohibited weapons. See Clause 21 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

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 14 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

Note: The Instructor must be accredited by the Australian Coaching Councils National Coaching Accreditation Scheme or under the Instructor Accreditation Scheme of the Australian Martial Arts Industry Association or as a registered training organisation within the meaning of the Vocational Education and Training Act 2005.

Prohibited Weapons Laser Pointer Permit

This permit is for persons who wish to possess and use a laser pointer, of over 1 milliwatt, and is not exempt as a member of an approved astronomical organisation. More information

• FACT Sheet - Laser Pointers
• List of approved Astronomical Organisations

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. See Clause 16 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

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 17 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

Prohibited Weapons Public Museum Permit

This permit is for public museums who wish to maintain prohibited weapons as part of their collection. See Clause 19 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

Note: The collection must have a genuine commemorative, historical, thematic or financial value.

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 24 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

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 15 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999

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 27 - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

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 30-34) - Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

Commissioner's Permit - Other

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 13 (2) of the Weapons Prohibition Regulation 1999.

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.