Permit to Acquire Firearms

What is a Permit to Acquire?

A Permit to Acquire authorises a Weapons Act licence holder to purchase or acquire a firearm or weapon.

The Permit to Acquire system was introduced in 1997 and requires a Permit to Acquire to be obtained from the police before a firearm or weapon is purchased.

To obtain a Permit to Acquire, the prospective owner must have a licence authorising possession of the firearm or weapon they wish to purchase or acquire.

Who does not need a Permit to Acquire?

Licensed dealers may acquire a weapon without a permit however are bound by other reporting conditions.

A permit to acquire is not required for antique firearms. However within 14 days of acquisition, you must give written notice (no fee) to the Weapons Licensing Branch of:

• your name and address;


• the type, make, calibre, action, magazine capacity and any serial number of the antique handgun; and


• the place where the antique handgun is generally kept.

How do I obtain a Permit to Acquire?

Applications for a permit must be made in person at a police station. To apply for a Permit to Acquire, you must have a licence that applies specifically to the category of firearm/weapon that you wish to purchase or acquire. For example, if you are applying to obtain a category B firearm, you must have a current Weapons Act licence for category B firearms. To apply for a permit, you must:

1.Provide details of your current Weapons Act licence. You must also show suitable identification which includes a photograph, ie. your Weapons Act licence or a driver's licence

2.Make the required payment for the Permit to Acquire application

3.Fill in the Permit to Acquire application form

4.Send the Permit to Acquire application form to the Weapons Licensing Branch (through the police station or by post)

Filling in the Permit to Acquire Application Form

Applications for permits to acquire certain firearms/weapons require additional information to be included.

Category B, C, D, H or M: you must state in writing the reason the firearm/weapon is needed and supply documentation to support the application.

Heirloom firearm: you must include proof that you are the owner of the firearm because of a testamentary disposition or the laws of succession. For example, a statutory declaration or a letter from a solicitor.

Category H firearm – sports/target shooters: you must include certification that you are a current member of an approved shooting club and that the weapon is required to engage in shooting activities as a member of the club or affiliate club. A member of the governing body must sign this certificate.

NB. A person is only permitted to acquire a maximum of 2 firearms during the first year after the issue of a concealable sports/target shooting licence (for further information see ‘Progressive access to firearms’).

Temporarily inoperable collectable or modern handguns on a collector’s licence: 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: you must supply a copy of the Form 31 Certificate of Permanent Inoperability prior to finalisation of the Notice of Disposal.

How much will the Permit to Acquire application cost?

A Permit to Acquire will cost per application (see Fees).

How long will the Application for a Permit to Acquire take to be processed?

A 28 day waiting period applies to everyone, unless exceptional circumstances exist. If the application is successful, the permit to acquire will be issued by the Weapons Licensing Branch and forwarded by mail. The applicant can then purchase a firearm or weapon from a licensed dealer or private person. If the application is not successful, notification will be sent in the mail. An appeal process is available through the Magistrates Court if the Permit to Acquire is refused, similar to all other Weapons Act refusals.

What does the Permit to Acquire look like?

The Permit to Acquire is printed on a double sided sheet of paper in two sections. The top section is the authorisation to acquire and the bottom section is the notification of disposal/acquisition. The reverse side shows where the dealer must certify part of the transaction.

Must the transaction be brokered through a dealer?

Yes. Once you have your Permit to Acquire you can purchase a firearm or weapon from a gun dealer or private person, provided the purchase is brokered through a licensed gun dealer.

Dealers may charge a maximum of $10 brokerage fee.

The purchase can be brokered by a police officer, if the nearest licensed gun dealer is located more than 100 kilometres away.
A dealer or police officer will check the bottom section of the Permit to Acquire and complete a Certificate of Particulars on the reverse side. They will then send it to the Weapons Licensing Branch for their records.

How long is the Permit to Acquire Valid for?

The Permit to Acquire is valid for up to three months. If it is lost, stolen or destroyed it must be reported to the police immediately.