Aug 20, 2026

NSW Firearms Law Changes & Gun Buyback: What You Need to Know

Significant changes to firearms laws in New South Wales are already affecting licensed owners, with further restrictions and a government buyback scheme scheduled to follow.

For hunters, target shooters, primary producers and other licence holders, the changes affect everything from how many firearms you can own to how often your licence must be renewed.

With the first phase of the NSW gun buyback beginning on 2 November 2026, here is what we know so far, what has already changed, and what remains uncertain.

Quick Overview

Recreational hunters are generally limited to four firearms.
Primary producers, target shooters and certain occupational licence holders are generally limited to 10 firearms.
New firearms licences and renewals now have a maximum term of two years.
Licence holders must provide fresh evidence of their genuine reason when renewing.
A valid safe-storage inspection must be recorded before a permit to acquire can be submitted.
Some firearms are due to be reclassified, but those changes have not yet commenced.
The NSW gun buyback begins on 2 November 2026.
A second phase for eligible higher-value firearms is expected in early 2027.
The final deadline for surrendering affected firearms has not yet been officially confirmed.

New Limits on Firearm Ownership

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of limits on the number of firearms a licence holder can possess.

The applicable limit depends on the genuine reason attached to your licence.

If you hold more than one genuine reason, the highest applicable limit applies across your licence.

For example, a person with both recreational hunting and approved target-shooting genuine reasons would generally fall under the 10-firearm limit, rather than the four-firearm hunting limit.

However, the limits are not added together. Having two qualifying genuine reasons does not automatically entitle you to 14 or 20 firearms.

For target shooters, professional pest controllers and certain business or employment licence holders, the legislation allows the Police Commissioner to approve a higher number in accordance with regulations. However, NSW Police advises that the relevant regulatory arrangements are still being developed. NSW Government: Firearm limits and buyback information

What if you already own more than the limit?

NSW Police has stated there is no immediate seizure of firearms from existing licence holders who are currently above their applicable limit.

However, since 24 December 2025, a permit to acquire cannot be issued if it would result in a licence holder exceeding the relevant limit.

If you are already above your limit, or a new purchase would put you over it, your application will not be approved.

NSW Police also warn that applications exceeding the cap are treated as though they were never made, and the application fee will not be refunded.

Existing owners should confirm their genuine reason, check how many firearms are registered to them, and follow official advice as the buyback and compliance arrangements are announced.

Firearms Licences Are Now Limited to Two Years

From 1 July 2026, NSW firearms licences can only be issued for a maximum of two years.

Previously, many licence holders could apply for a five-year licence.

The change applies to:

New firearms licence applications.
Licence renewals.
Applications that were still being processed when the new rules commenced.

If you already hold a valid five-year licence issued before 1 July 2026, it remains valid until its original expiry date.

However, when it comes time to renew, you will generally only be able to obtain a two-year licence.

For owners, this means more frequent renewals, more regular paperwork and more frequent reassessment of licensing requirements.

More Evidence Required at Licence Renewal

Renewing a firearms licence is no longer simply a matter of confirming your existing details.

Since 1 July 2026, licence holders must provide current evidence supporting their genuine reason every time they renew.

Depending on your circumstances, this could include:

Current membership of an approved shooting club.
A council rates notice or lease agreement for rural property.
Written permission from a landowner or occupier.
Evidence of primary production activities.
Documentation supporting employment or professional pest control.

NSW Police state that supporting evidence must be provided even if your circumstances have not changed.

If the required documentation is missing or insufficient, the application may be delayed or refused. NSW Police: Firearms reform frequently asked questions

Safe-Storage Inspections Before a Permit to Acquire

Another major practical change affects anyone wanting to purchase or acquire an additional firearm.

Before a permit to acquire can be submitted, NSW Police must be able to confirm a valid, satisfactory inspection of the applicant’s nominated safe-storage address.

The inspection must:

Relate to the address nominated in the application.
Have recorded a satisfactory outcome.
Confirm that the storage arrangements meet the requirements for the relevant firearm category.

If no valid inspection can be confirmed, the permit to acquire application cannot proceed.

This may mean arranging an inspection before making plans to purchase an additional firearm. It is worth checking your inspection status early, particularly while Firearms Registry processing delays continue.

Firearm Reclassifications Are Coming

The reforms also include changes to the classification of several types of firearms.

The NSW Government says the changes will:

Move straight-pull and pump-action firearms, including relevant rifles and shotguns, into Category C.
Move button-release and lever-release firearms into Category C.
Classify semi-automatic air guns as Category B.
Prohibit firearms capable of using belt-fed or linked ammunition.
Introduce magazine-capacity limits for relevant Category A and Category B firearms.

For Category A firearms, the proposed limits include:

Up to 10 rounds for relevant air rifles and rimfire rifles.
Up to five rounds for relevant shotguns.
Up to five rounds for relevant shotgun/rimfire combinations with a magazine.

For Category B firearms, relevant non-self-loading centrefire rifles will generally be limited to 10 rounds.

Importantly, the NSW Government states that these reclassification and magazine-capacity provisions are not yet in force. They will commence on dates that are yet to be proclaimed.

That means owners should not assume a particular firearm has already changed category simply because the reform has been announced. Confirm the status of your specific firearm through the NSW Firearms Registry. NSW Government: Classification changes and magazine limits

Stronger Background and Identity Checks

The reforms also introduce additional checks for firearms licence and permit applications.

Before a permit to acquire can be issued, police must be satisfied that the applicant has not been investigated in relation to relevant terrorism-related offences or associations.

Checks also extend to certain associations and people living at the same residential address.

Identity verification is now a mandatory requirement for licence and permit applications, including renewals.

For most applicants, NSW Police says the process formalises identity checks that were already part of existing application procedures.

Some broader reforms concerning citizenship and other eligibility requirements remain subject to implementation arrangements. Licence holders should rely on official updates rather than assuming every proposed requirement already applies.

Changes to Appeal Rights

Another significant change is the removal of most external appeal rights through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Under the reforms, most firearms-related decisions can no longer be appealed to NCAT.

One exception applies to decisions involving Firearm Prohibition Orders.

Internal review processes remain available, but the removal of the usual external tribunal pathway represents a substantial change for licence holders who want to challenge a licensing decision. NSW Police: Current reforms and review arrangements

NSW Gun Buyback: What We Know

The NSW Government has announced that the state will participate in a national gun buyback scheme.

The program is intended to compensate eligible licence holders whose firearms can no longer be retained because:

They exceed the new ownership limits.
Their firearms become prohibited or are reclassified.
They no longer meet applicable eligibility requirements, subject to relevant exceptions.

The NSW Government estimates that approximately 50,000 licence holders and up to 274,000 registered firearms could be affected by ownership limits and reclassification changes. NSW Government: Gun buyback announcement

Phase 1: Begins 2 November 2026

The first phase of the buyback is scheduled to begin on 2 November 2026.

It will use a fixed-price compensation schedule for eligible firearms.

The government has also stated that associated ammunition will attract a flat payment, but the amount has not yet been publicly confirmed.

These figures are fixed schedule amounts and do not necessarily reflect the original purchase price, replacement cost or individual market value of a particular firearm.

For example, a standard centrefire rifle and a more expensive centrefire rifle may initially fall under the same listed $1,000 payment unless the higher-value firearm qualifies for the separate Phase 2 process.

Phase 2: Expected in Early 2027

A second phase of the buyback is expected to commence in early 2027.

This phase is intended to provide a compensation pathway for eligible higher-value firearms with an indicative market value above $3,000.

Compensation will be capped at $10,000 per firearm.

The NSW Government has also indicated that accessing this pathway may involve a fee, although detailed eligibility requirements, valuation processes and application arrangements have not yet been released.

If you own a firearm that may exceed the standard Phase 1 payment, it may be useful to retain relevant documentation, including:

Original purchase receipts.
Recent valuations.
Evidence of the firearm’s make, model and condition.
Documentation relating to significant modifications or features.
Registration details and photographs.

However, owners should confirm the official evidence requirements once the government releases further guidance.

Is There a Deadline to Hand In Firearms?

As at 20 August 2026, official NSW Government and NSW Police guidance has not published a final surrender or compliance deadline.

The confirmed dates currently available are:

Any suggestion that owners automatically have until November 2027 should be treated cautiously unless and until that deadline is confirmed through official government or police channels.

Likewise, the opening date of the buyback should not be confused with a confirmed final deadline for surrender.

Licence holders should continue to comply with all current licence, registration and storage obligations and monitor official announcements for changes.

What Should Licence Holders Do Now?

If you hold a NSW firearms licence, consider taking the following practical steps:

Check your licence and genuine reasons. Confirm whether your applicable limit is four firearms, 10 firearms or another approved amount.
Review your registered firearms. Identify whether you may exceed the relevant ownership cap or hold a firearm that could be affected by future reclassification.
Check your safe-storage inspection status. This is particularly important if you are planning to apply for a permit to acquire.
Prepare your renewal documentation. Keep club memberships, property permissions and supporting documents current.
Keep records for potentially affected firearms. Registration certificates, receipts and valuation information may become important once detailed buyback rules are released.
Watch for official updates. Final compliance dates, valuation processes, ammunition payments and surrender arrangements have not all been confirmed.
Seek advice if your circumstances are unusual. Collectors, primary producers, target shooters, professional pest controllers and owners with multiple genuine reasons may have different requirements.

Stay Informed

The NSW firearms reforms represent a substantial change for licensed owners, particularly hunters and rural communities across the Monaro and surrounding regions.

Some rules are already operating, others are still awaiting commencement, and important details about the buyback remain outstanding.

The best approach is to stay informed, understand your obligations and rely on official information as further details are released.

For further information, visit:

Information current as at 20 August 2026. This article provides general information only and should not be treated as legal advice. Firearms legislation, classifications, eligibility requirements and buyback arrangements may change.