Northern Territory

How to apply for an NT shooter’s licence

The Northern Territory Police Firearms Policy and Recording Unit issues a shooter’s licence for private, non-commercial ownership. You do not need to already own a firearm to apply. Individuals must be at least 18 (or 10 for a junior club licence), prove NT residency and identity, not have been subject to a domestic violence order in the last five years, complete an approved safety course or pass an approved safety test, meet storage rules, and show a genuine reason. From 1 January 2026 FPRU only processes licence or permit applications after the firearms self-check form is submitted for firearms already owned (a National Firearms Register readiness step).

PFES — licence and permit information →

Process

  1. 01

    Confirm you meet the individual tests

    Age, NT residency, identity to the standard PFES describes (the same class of standard financial institutions use to open an account), DVO restriction, training or test, storage, and genuine reason. Disclose criminal history and any mental illness or incapacity that could affect fitness.

  2. 02

    Choose the licence type and gather PFES forms

    A shooter’s licence is the usual individual authority. Sports shooting typically needs a club membership certificate (PF474 series). Recreational shooting/hunting needs the supporting permission PFES specifies for that reason. Storage self-declarations (PF491) and related storage forms sit on the same PFES page. Corporate, dealer, collector, heirloom and category H sport-shooter products are separate applications.

  3. 03

    Complete approved training or the approved safety test

    PFES requires an approved Firearm Safety Training Course or an approved Firearms Safety Test. Training-provider information is linked from the licence page.

  4. 04

    Lodge with FPRU as the current forms instruct

    The official licence-and-permit page hosts the application PDFs and information sheets. Follow the sheet for the product you want (including where to lodge and what must be sighted). If you already own firearms, complete the NFR self-check first or FPRU will not process the file.

  5. 05

    Separate purchase/transfer permit to acquire a firearm

    Holding a licence is not the same as authority to buy. The holder may apply to the Commissioner for a permit to purchase or acquire. PFES publishes individual, corporate, collectors and category H permit forms, including a “waive waiting period” form. Use the information sheet for waiting rules rather than assuming another state’s 28-day PTA story.

Eligibility

  • At least 18 years (junior club licence from 10, with supervision and range/event limits published on the PFES page).
  • Proof of Northern Territory residence and proof of identity.
  • Not subject to, and not having been subject to, a domestic violence order within the last five years.
  • Approved safety course or approved safety test; able to meet Firearms Act storage requirements; genuine reason/need.
  • Disclose criminal history and relevant mental illness or incapacity.

Genuine reason

PFES requires a genuine reason/need and points to its genuine-reason material. The shooter’s licence page describes private ownership for non-commercial purposes. Club sport shooting uses PF474 membership certificates. Recreational shooting or hunting requires the permission evidence the current application names. Category H sport shooter’s licences only authorise prescribed category H firearms at an approved club. Do not copy another state’s eight-reason list onto an NT form.

Training

Approved Firearm Safety Training Course or approved Firearms Safety Test, before the licence can be granted. Provider list: PFES “Firearm training providers” link on the licence page.

Where to apply

NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services — Firearms Policy and Recording Unit, via the forms and information sheets on pfes.nt.gov.au. Territory-wide law overview also sits on nt.gov.au. Confirm lodgement location on the current information sheet (it can differ for Darwin-region permits versus other products).

Waiting, fees and acquiring a firearm

Self-check gating from 1 January 2026 can stop processing until owned firearms are declared. Permit-to-acquire waiting rules are on the PFES permit information sheets (including when a waiting period may be waived). Dollar fees are listed under Fees on the PFES page — check that list; they are not restated here.

Official sources

Last checked 22 August 2026.

Other states and territories