New South Wales

How to apply for a NSW firearms licence

In New South Wales you apply for an individual firearms licence online. Service NSW takes you into the NSW Police Force Community Self Service Portal after you log in with a MyServiceNSW Account. You must be a NSW resident, at least 18, complete the relevant firearms training and safety course, and supply evidence of a genuine reason. Personal protection is not a genuine reason. Ordinary licences are generally issued for two years (probationary and some provisional pistol licences are 12 months).

Apply on Service NSW →

Process

  1. 01

    Gather identity, training and genuine-reason evidence

    Service NSW lists proof of identity, a firearms safety training certificate (or a previous NSW or current interstate licence number), documents for each genuine reason, and payment details. Category A, B or H applicants who hold an eligible Centrelink, DSP or DVA card can use that instead of a card payment. Categories above A also need evidence of a “special need”.

  2. 02

    Apply online via Service NSW

    Use Apply online on the Service NSW transaction. You are sent to the Community Self Service Portal, log in with Service NSW, and follow the prompts. The Firearms Registry FAQ confirms the same portal path.

  3. 03

    Wait the legislated 28 days (and any extra review time)

    NSW Police states a mandatory 28-day waiting period on all new applications. Processing can take longer while the Registry reviews suitability. Track the application in the Firearms Registry Customer Portal with your Service NSW login. Current volumes sit on the Firearms Registry Performance Dashboard — do not treat any unofficial number as the wait time.

  4. 04

    Photograph Advice, then the card by post

    If approved, a Photograph Advice letter is posted. Take it and identity documents to a Service NSW centre before the printed expiry (the FAQ says the advice is valid for 60 days). The licence card is then posted.

Eligibility

  • Resident of NSW (or about to become a resident, per the FAQ’s issuing restrictions).
  • At least 18 for a firearms licence. Ages 12–18 may apply for a Minor’s Permit to use firearms under supervision for instruction or approved events.
  • Fit and proper, and trusted to possess firearms without danger to public safety.
  • Completed a firearms training and safety course for the licence type (if you have never held a licence).
  • Able to evidence a genuine reason. Certain court orders, prohibition orders, prescribed convictions in the last 10 years, and related statuses listed in the FAQ can prevent issue.

Genuine reason

NSW Police lists eight genuine reasons: sport/target shooting; recreational hunting/vermin control; primary production; vertebrate pest animal control; business or employment; rural occupation; animal welfare; and firearms collection. You can hold more than one. Personal protection, and protection of another person, are not genuine reasons. Property protection is not a genuine reason except in the business security-industry context described by the Registry. Categories above A require evidence of special need. If your reason changes, the FAQ says you must notify the Registry within 14 days.

Training

Complete the applicable firearms training and safety course before applying (unless you are using a previous or current interstate licence number as listed on Service NSW). The FAQ points you to an accredited trainer via a local longarm or pistol club, the Firearms Safety Training Council, SSAA Training, or the Department of Primary Industries Game Licensing Unit for contacts.

Where to apply

Online only through Service NSW into the NSW Police Force Community Portal. Questions: Firearms Registry customer service 1300 362 562, 9am–4pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays (as published on Service NSW).

Waiting, fees and acquiring a firearm

Mandatory 28-day wait on new applications. After approval, attend Service NSW for a photo. To buy a firearm later, apply separately for a permit to acquire (PTA) via the related Service NSW transaction — do not treat a licence as permission to purchase. Dollar fees are in the Firearms Registry Schedule of Fees PDF linked from Service NSW; check that schedule rather than a third-party quote.

Official sources

Last checked 22 August 2026.

Other states and territories