Requirements for Collectors

Acquiring a weapon under a collector’s licence (weapons).

Permanently Inoperable

For category D, H and R firearms that are permanently inoperable, the application must be accompanied by a copy of Form 31 – Certificate of Inoperability, signed by a licensed armourer or person approved by the Commissioner under section 7 of the Act, certifying that the firearm is incapable of being discharged.

A category A, B or C weapon that has been rendered permanently inoperable in accordance with section 7 of the Act and section 73 of the Regulation is not classified as a weapon for the purposes of the Act. Refer to section 6A of the Weapons Act 1990.

Temporarily Inoperable

When submitting an application for permits to acquire temporarily inoperable weapons, you must provide reasons for collecting weapons and also include the following information:

• Why the weapon, subject to the application, is of obvious and significant value to the collection; and
• How the weapon fits into the collection; and
• If other weapons of a similar make, model, action and calibre are possessed, provide information as to how this weapon is different or adds to the collection.

PLUS:

For category A, B and C weapons, the application must include:

• documentation detailing the make, model, serial number, magazine capacity and year of manufacture of the weapon and information demonstrating that the weapon is a collectable firearm in the terms of section 77(2) of the Act. Go to Collector’s Licence information.

For category H weapons manufactured before 1 January 1947, the application must include:

• documentation detailing the make, model, serial number, magazine capacity and year of manufacture of the weapon and information demonstrating that the weapon is a collectable firearm in the terms of section 77(2) of the Act. Go to Collector’s Licence information.
• proof of membership of an historical society.

For category H weapons manufactured after 1 January 1947, the application must include:

• documentation detailing the make, model, serial number, magazine capacity and year of manufacture of the weapon and information demonstrating that the weapon is a collectable firearm in the terms of section 77(2) of the Act. Go to Collector’s Licence information.
• A declaration signed by an approved historical society’s representative stating that the representative is satisfied that the weapon is of obvious and significant commemorative, historic, thematic or investment value.  This declaration by an approved historical society representative is current for 28 days after the day it is signed by the representative.

Acquiring a Category H firearm for Collector’s Licence:

Temporarily inoperable collectable or modern handguns on a collector’s licence: with your PTA application you must include proof of the obvious and significant commemorative, historic, thematic or investment value of the firearm, and for modern handguns, a declaration signed by a representative of an approved historical society that they are satisfied that the weapon is of obvious and significant commemorative, historic, thematic or investment value.

Permanently inoperable Category H weapon: with your PTA application, you must supply a copy of the Form 31 - Certificate of Permanent Inoperability prior to finalisation of the Notice of Disposal.

Go to Handgun Legislation information. 

Go to Antique Handguns information.