Need to change your genuine reason on your firearms licence?

Here’s what to do.

Adding or changing your “genuine reason” on your NSW firearm licence—whether shifting from target shooting to hunting, collecting firearms, or vice versa—requires a considered approach.

For the most part, your first step is to notify the NSW Firearms Registry, before amending or changing your “genuine reason” on your SSAA membership. This ensures your licence remains compliant, your SSAA membership “genuine reason” support is valid, and you avoid potential legal consequences.

The only time you will need to contact SSAA’s National Membership office first, is when you are adding a “Rec Hunt – Hunting Club genuine reason” to your licence.

Under the National Firearms Agreement and NSW Firearms Act 1996, holding a licence with an unsupported “genuine reason” can lead to licence suspension or revocation.

Please don’t change the “genuine reason” on your SSAA membership before updating the Firearms Registry unless you are adding “Rec Hunt – Hunting Club” as a genuine reason to your existing firearms licence which needs to be supported by a SSAA membership (as your supporting hunting club).

When changing or removing a “genuine reason”, the Registry needs to update Firearms licence first – then you can update your SSAA (branch) membership accordingly.

How to Change Your Genuine Reason

Click below to view a table of “genuine reasons” and what obligatory evidence firearm licence holders need to provide per reporting period.

Licence Categories & Genuine Reason Table

Follow these two simple steps to change your “genuine reason”:

Step 1

If your “genuine reason” for having a firearms licence changes: Inform the Firearms Registry by emailing firearms@police.nsw.gov.au.

If you wish to remove a “genuine reason” or firearm category from your existing firearms licence?

You may require a new replacement photo card. If so, do not change or cancel any branch/club memberships until your updated firearms licence card has arrived.

You will need to submit your request via the Gun Safe Customer Portal.

The reverse is applicable if you are ADDING a “REC HUNT – HUNTING CLUB genuine reason” to your firearms licence which needs to be supported by a SSAA membership.

First contact the SSAA National membership office on 02 8805 3900.
Visit the NSW Firearms Registry Customer Portal.
Complete the online application with the necessary supporting documentation.

Step 2

Once your “genuine reason” change is confirmed and your updated licence is issued by the Firearms Registry:

Contact the National Membership Office on 02 8805 3900.

Request that they update your SSAA NSW membership to reflect the new “genuine reason” as shown on your Firearms Licence card.
Plan to complete the mandatory attendance requirements for each reporting period.

Keep copies of all documents for your own records.

Why You Shouldn’t Change Your SSAA Membership Before Notifying the Registry When Removing a “Genuine Reason”

Changing your SSAA NSW membership (e.g. switching from a target shooter to a hunting membership) without updating your licence first can put you at risk of: