In accordance with the National Firearms Agreement, Firearms Act 1996 (NSW) and the Firearms Regulations of 2017, in order for you to possess and use a firearm, you must qualify for a firearms licence or permit. To satisfy these requirements, you must provide the necessary information allowing the NSW Police Firearms Registry the ability to consider your application, ensuring that this meets the requirement evidencing your ‘genuine reason’.
As a mandatory component, you MUST complete a Safe Shooting Course before applying for any firearms licence.
Below is SSAA NSW’s step-by-step guide of each accepted Genuine Reason, what it means, and what is required to support your application.
1. Sport/Target Shooting for longarm and handgun (for clubs & competition shooting)
What this means
If it is your intention to compete in Longarm target shooting competitions, you must join a Peak Body Association (SSAA) and associated branch to support your genuine reason. This ability will then allow you to meet your mandatory shooting requirements, which in turn will support a genuine reason of sports/target shooting like Benchrest, Big Game, Rifle Metallic Silhouette etc, or to simply practice at a range.
What you need to provide
- Proof of club membership – You must be a financial member of an NSW-approved shooting club (like the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) which supports your genuine reason.
- Proof of participation – You must regularly attend shooting competitions or practice sessions at your club. The club will track your attendance and may report if you stop attending. You will be required to submit 4 Attendances per reporting period.
- For a Category H (handgun) licence, you need to join a Pistol Club and complete a Safe Handling Course (SSAA), after which you will enter into a 12-month Probationary Pistol Licence program. This program will be supported by your Pistol Club at the successful competition of which, you will qualify for a full Category H Licence.
- Handguns may only be used for target shooting purposes.
- You must meet the club’s rules and safety requirements.
2. Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control
What this means
If you want to own or shoot a rifle for Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control (like rabbits, foxes, or wild pigs), you can use the SSAA to support your genuine reason. There are two considerations you will need to make to meet the requirements of a Recreational Hunting/Vermin Control Genuine Reason:
- As a member of an approved Hunting Club
- As the owner or occupier of rural land
- As someone who has been granted permission by the owner or occupier of rural land to shoot on that property
- As an individual that has been granted permission to shoot from an approved government authority, including Department of Primary Industries.
What you need to provide
- A signed letter from a landowner – This must state that you have permission to hunt on their land. The landowner must legally own or lease the property.
- Game Licence (if hunting certain animals) – Some species (e.g., deer) require a NSW Game Hunting or Restricted Licence from the NSW Department of Primary Industries to hunt in a State Forest.
3. Primary Production (for farmers & agricultural use)
What this means
If you own or manage a farm as a primary producer, and you need a firearm for work purposes, like protecting livestock (like sheep or goats) or crops (like maize, vineyards or orchards) from pests.
What you need to provide
- Proof of land ownership or management – This can be your farm’s rate notice, lease agreement, or ABN.
- Explanation of why a firearm is needed – You must show that your farm has a genuine need for a firearm (e.g., for culling feral animals).
- Correct firearm category –
- Most farmers use Category A & B firearms (bolt-action rifles and shotguns).
- Some may qualify for Category C firearms (semi-automatic rifles/shotguns) if they prove they need them for efficiency (e.g., large-scale feral pest control).
4. Vertebrate Pest Animal Control (for professional shooters)
What this means
If you are a licensed, professional pest controller contracted to cull certain species on a large property for landowners, businesses, or the government, you will need contracts proving your employment.
What you need to provide
- A contract or written agreement – This must be from a landowner, government department, or pest control business confirming that you are hired for shooting pest animals.
- ABN or proof of employment – If you are a contractor, you will need an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- You may need higher-category firearms – Some professional shooters apply for Category C or D licences (which allow semi-automatic or high-powered firearms). These are only given if you prove you need them for work.
5. Firearms Collection (for historical & antique firearms collectors)
What this means
If you collect antique and/or military firearms, but do not use them, you must be part of a recognised collectors’ club and provide documentation about the historical significance of your collection. The firearm must have or be of genuine, commemorative, historical, thematic or financial value.
What you need to provide
- Membership as an approved firearms collectors’ club like the SSAA.
- A letter of endorsement from your Branch.
- Your letter must list the the firearm as genuine, commemorative, historical, thematic or be of financial value.
- The firearm must not be for use, only for possession.
- A collector of ammunition will require a separate permit.
- Storage requirements – You must follow strict Level 9 firearm storage laws.
