Information for Individuals
- When will the new legislation commence?
- Who can obtain a licence issued under the Weapons Act 1990?
- What type of licence is required if I wish to possess or use a crossbow?
- Do I need a genuine reason for possessing or using a crossbow?
- What genuine reason information should be supplied to possess or use a crossbow?
- How do I apply for a miscellaneous weapons licence?
- How long can my licence be issued for?
- Transitional Provisions
- When can I possess or use a crossbow without a licence?
- Does my crossbow have to be registered?
- What category is my crossbow?
- Does my crossbow have to be properly stored?
- How do I purchase a crossbow in the future?
- Can I sell/buy a crossbow privately?
- Can I give my crossbow to another person for safekeeping?
- Can I keep my crossbow if I don't want to apply for a licence?
- Are visitors to Queensland allowed to compete in competition or recreational shooting using crossbows?
- Who do I contact if I have any questions in relation to crossbows?
When will the new legislation commence?
It commenced on 1 November 2004.
Who can obtain a licence issued under the Weapons Act 1990?
To obtain any licence issued under the Weapons Act 1990, you must meet certain requirements. These include:
- Full licence holders must be 18 years of age.
- A person is ineligible to hold a Weapons Act licence if, within the past five years, they have been convicted of offences including misuse of drugs, weapon offences, and the use or threatened use of violence.
- A person is ineligible to hold a Weapons Act licence if they are or have been the subject of a domestic violence order in the past five years.
- Must have completed an approved course in weapons safety.
What type of licence is required if I wish to possess or use a crossbow?
If you wish to possess or use a crossbow, you must obtain a miscellaneous weapons licence. A miscellaneous weapons licence will allow you to possess, carry and use crossbows, subject to specific conditions.
Do I need a genuine reason for possessing or using a crossbow?
Yes. All licensees will be required to provide a genuine reason for possessing or using a crossbow. These reasons include:
- Club membership for sporting or target shooting
- Recreational shooting
- Collection by a firearms collector
- Military re-enactment or demonstrations
- Possession by a theatrical organisation for use in theatrical productions.
What genuine reason information should be supplied to possess or use a crossbow?
Depending on the reason you give to possess or use a crossbow, you will need to include some information about your club or where and how you will be possessing or using the crossbow. Examples of what should be supplied with your application are as follows:
- Proof of membership of an approved crossbow club (an archery organisation) for sports or target shooting (Weapons Club); or
- Proof of membership of an approved crossbow club for a historical or military re-enactment organisation that demonstrates the use of or provides training in category M (g) crossbows (Weapons Club) approved by the Commissioner; or
- Written permission from a landowner authorising you to possess or use a crossbow on that person's land; or
- Owners of family heirlooms and collectors of crossbows need proof of obvious and significant commemorative, historical, thematic or investment value; or
- Proof that you are a member of a recreational shooting club (Weapons Club) approved by the Commissioner; or
- Proof that you are a theatrical ordnance supplier of firearms/weapons for theatrical productions etc.
How do I apply for a miscellaneous weapons licence?
Application forms may be obtained from any Queensland Police Station. An application for a miscellaneous weapons licence must consist of the following:
- Form 1 (Application For A Licence) [including relevant Form 1 Annexure]
- Form 30 (Proof Of Identification Declaration)
- Certified copy of your approved course in safety training
- Crossbow Weapons List
- Genuine reason (club membership/recreational letter etc.)
- Appropriate fee (click for Schedule of Fees, Weapons Regulation 1996)
- Lodge entire application at your local Police Station. Do not send your application directly to Weapons Licensing Branch.
Alternatively, click on this link to access application forms.
For information concerning approved safety course providers, please contact Weapons Licensing Branch on 07 3364 3765.
How long can my licence be issued for?
The maximum period that a licence (other than a replacement licence) can be issued for is no more than five years.
If you were in possession of a crossbow prior to 1 November 2004, there is no requirement to complete an approved course in safety training, provided you apply for a miscellaneous weapons licence before 1 May 2005 and register any crossbow in your possession.
If you were in possession of a crossbow prior to 1 November 2004, and hold a current miscellaneous weapons licence, the crossbow must be registered to the licence before 1 May 2005.
If you were not in possession of a crossbow prior to 1 November 2004, you are required to obtain a miscellaneous weapons licence. You are not authorised to possess or use a crossbow until you have obtained a miscellaneous weapons licence and acquired a crossbow in accordance with Section 35 of the Weapons Act 1990.
When can I possess or use a crossbow without a licence?
If not disqualified or prevented from obtaining a licence under the Weapons Act 1990, a person may possess and use a crossbow without a licence under certain circumstances. These are:
- A minor (11-18 years) may possess and use a category M (g) crossbow, where it is lawful and safe to do so, if the minor is under supervision of a parent or guardian or someone acting as a parent or guardian. The person supervising must be licensed to possess or use the weapon.
- A minor may possess and use a category M (g) crossbow at an approved range, if the minor is supervised directly and immediately by a range officer.
A person who is eligible to obtain a licence may have possession and use a crossbow at a range approved for that category of weapon, if they have produced identification and signed the appropriate forms. Possession and use must be supervised by a range officer.
Does my crossbow have to be registered?
Yes. If there is no serial number on your crossbow, a serial number must be engraved or stamped onto the crossbow. This serial number must be supplied with your licence application to be recorded on the Weapons Register maintained by the Commissioner of Police, Queensland Police Service.
All firearms and weapons are categorised differently. A crossbow will be a category M weapon.
Does my crossbow have to be properly stored?
Yes. Under current legislation it will be a requirement that all crossbows are stored in accordance with the requirements under the Weapons Act 1990 and Weapons Regulation 1996 as follows:
- When the crossbow is not in your physical possession it must be stored unloaded in a locked container.
- The container must be a rigid structure made of solid steel or solid timber.
- If the container weighs less than 150kg, be securely fixed to the frame or floor of a permanent building.
- The container must also have a sturdy combination lock, keyed lock or keyed padlock.
- ALWAYS BE LOCKED.
How do I purchase a crossbow in the future?
All future acquisitions of crossbows will require a licensee to obtain an application for a "Permit to Acquire" (PTA). This application may be obtained from your local Police Station upon payment of a fee. Once the application has been assessed and approved by the Authorised Officer, Weapons Licensing Branch, the PTA will be issued to the licensee.
Upon receipt of the PTA, the licensee is required to have the acquisition of the crossbow brokered by a licensed dealer.
The dealer is required to forward the "Notice of Disposal" (NOD) to the Weapons Licensing Branch for registration purposes.
Can I sell/buy a crossbow privately?
Yes. A licensee may sell/buy a crossbow privately, provided that the acquirer/seller also holds a current miscellaneous weapons licence for a category M (g) crossbow and the acquirer is the holder of a current PTA for a category M (g) crossbow (remembering to have the sale brokered through a licensed dealer). Crossbows advertised for sale must include the serial number in the advertisement.
Can I give my crossbow to another person for safekeeping?
Yes. Provided that the other person also holds a current miscellaneous weapons licence for a category M (g) crossbow. The other licensee may only have possession of your crossbow for a maximum period of three months, before which consideration must be given to the acquisition or disposal of the crossbow.
Can I keep my crossbow if I don't want to apply for a licence?
No. If you do not wish to apply for a miscellaneous weapons licence, you will be required to either:
- surrender your crossbow to a Police Station for destruction; or
- surrender your crossbow to a licensed dealer approved to buy, sell, transfer or broker category M (g) crossbows.
Yes. Residents from outside Queensland may be issued a visitor's licence providing they are entitled by law (whether or not under a licence) to possess and use a crossbow in the State or country where the person usually resides. The visitor's licence may only be issued for activities, which are:
- sports or target shooting;
- recreational shooting;
- collection by a collector of weapons
The maximum term for a visitor's licence is three months. A person who:
- is a resident of another country; and
- is visiting Queensland to participate in an internationally recognised shooting competition
is exempt from paying the application fee for a visitor's licence.
Who do I contact if I have any questions in relation to crossbows?
Contact the Weapons Licensing Branch on telephone number (07) 3015 7777.
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