Sports or Target Shooting

Applying for a Concealable Firearms Licence

The following is further information about applying for this specific licence type in addition to what is provided in “Obtaining a new licence”.

It is important you refer to both the general steps in applying for a licence and the further information provided here.

This will ensure all necessary information is provided in your application.

Sports or Target shooting

Before applying for a concealable firearms licence for sports or target shooting a person must be a member of a Queensland shooting club approved for Category H weapons (pistol club) for at least 6 months and have participated in three handgun shooting competitions. 

The legislation recognises Queensland and interstate residents, and International persons taking up residence in Queensland.

A person who wishes to apply for membership of an approved pistol club must submit their application for membership with the following information:

(a) If the person is not a licensee, a current Statement of Eligibility must be provided; and

(b) 2 character references from persons the applicant has known for at least 2 years, and

(c) a declaration from the applicant detailing any current membership of other approved shooting club/s, or that the person is not a current member of any other approved shooting club.

Section 18B(3) of the Weapons Act 1990 provides for the application for a concealable firearms licence for sports and target shooting.  Refer to the legislation for further information. 

Accredited events and limitations on possession of concealable firearms by members of approved shooting clubs

A holder of a concealable firearms licence, who is a member of an approved shooting club, must not use a weapon:

• a calibre greater than .38 inch;
• a weapon that is semi automatic and has a barrel length of less than 120mm unless it has an overall length of at least 250mm measured parallel to the barrel;
• a weapon that is not semi automatic (e.g. revolvers and single shot pistols) and has a barrel length of less than 100 mm unless it has an overall length of at least 250 mm measured parallel to the barrel;
• with a capacity of not more than 10 rounds;
• designed to be used without a magazine that has a maximum capacity of more than 10 rounds.

However, an authorised officer may authorise the holder of a licence, by a condition endorsed on the licence to possess a ‘high calibre weapon’ if the authorised officer is satisfied that the holder is to participate in an ‘accredited event’.

High calibre weapon means a category H weapon, other than a black-powder pistol, having a calibre of more than .38 inch but not more than .45 inch.

Accredited event means a handgun shooting competition prescribed under a regulation to be an accredited event. The accredited events in the Weapons Regulation 1996 are:

a) a metallic silhouette competition;

b) a single-action competition.

Calibre limitations do not apply to category H weapons that are black-powder pistols.

A black-powder pistol is a firearm that:

1.      is less than 75 cm in length; and

2.      is either-

a.      a muzzle loading firearm; or

b.      a cap and ball firearm; and

3.      does not accept cartridge ammunition.

Handguns Classes

The legislation provides participation conditions for licensees who hold a concealable firearms licence for one or more classes of category H weapons.

Handguns are divided into four classes:-

a)     an air pistol

b)     a centre-fire pistol with a calibre of not more than .38 inch or a black-powder pistol;

c)      a centre-fire pistol with a calibre of more than .38 inch but not more than .45 inch; and

d)     rim fire pistol

Participation Rates

Every handgun owner must participate in at least six handgun shooting competitions conducted on different days, during each financial year of the club membership.

If the handgun owner has firearms in a number of classes, the licensee must use a weapon from each class in not less than 4 ‘club organised shoots’ for that class in each financial year. At least 6 of the club organised shoots must be handgun shooting competitions. All shoots must be conducted on different days.

Example:  If a person owns three handguns that are described in two classes of handgun, the licensee will be required to participate in 8 club organised shoots conducted on 8 different days. At least 6 of these shoots must be handgun shooting competitions.

Participation Shoots Calculator ( 45 KB)

Participation Rate for less than 12 months

The legislation also identifies that participation conditions are to be varied in circumstances where the owner of the particular class of weapon has possession of the weapon for a period of less than 12 months.

The participation rate can be proportionally changed based upon one whole calendar month for that financial year, after rounding down to the nearest whole number of competitions.

Authorised Officer Discretion Limitations

In addition, where the holder of a concealable firearms licence provides the authorised officer with substantial reasons for failure to comply with participation rates, the authorised officer may decide the number of times the holder must use the weapon for competition to satisfy the participation condition. This adjustment may be made both retrospectively and prospectively.

For example:-

Prospectively, a licensee will be overseas for an extended period and unable to comply, or retrospectively where an extended illness has prevented use of a handgun.

The participation rate can be proportionally changed based upon on whole calendar months for that financial year if the authorised officer is satisfied that the licensee is, or was, unable to comply with a participation rate for reasons outside the licensee's control.

Participation Record

Concealable firearm licensees who possess Category H weapons for sport and target shooting are required to keep and maintain a record of their participation in handgun shooting competitions (participation record).  You may use
QP 516 Pistol Club Shooters Participation Card, which is an example of how you may record your shoots.

QP 0516 – Pistol Club Shooters Participation Card ( 67 KB)

Applying for a Concealable Firearms Licence

The following is further information about applying for this specific licence type in addition to what is provided in “Obtaining a new licence”.

It is important you refer to both the general steps in applying for a licence and the further information provided here.

This will ensure all necessary information is provided in your application.

Queensland Applicants

Step 1 –     Apply for a Statement of Eligibility if not a current licence holder.

Step 2 –    Join a pistol club if required.  If not a current licence holder, you will need to give the Statement of Eligibility + two references to the pistol club when applying for membership.

Step 3 –    Be a member for at least 6 months and participate in at least 3 handgun club organised handgun competitions.  (Participation records must be included in your application)

Step 4 -    Complete a valid category H safety course

Step 5 –    Complete Form 1 – Application for a Licence

Step 6 –    Include an Approved Club declaration, QP518A, completed by your club representative. This declaration is only valid for 28 days.

Step 7 -    Lodge your application with supporting documentation and prescribed fees at your local Queensland Police Station. 

QP 0515 - Statement of Eligibility to Join an Approved Pistol Shooting Club ( 297KB) 

Form 1 - Application for a Licence ( 553KB) 

Form 1 - Annexure - Sports or Target Shooting ( 222KB) 

QP 0518A - Approved Club Declaration - Concealable Firearms Licence for Sports or Target Shootng (Queensland Applicant) ( 236KB) 

Overseas/Interstate applicants moving to Queensland (already holding a pistol club licence)*

Step 1 –  Join a pistol club if required

Step 2 – Be a member for at least 6 months and participate in at least 3 handgun club organised handgun competitions. 

Step 3 –  Complete a valid category H safety course

Step 4 -  Complete a Form 1 – application for a licence

Step 5 –  Include an Approved Club declaration, QP518B, completed by your   club    representative.  This declaration is only valid for 28 days.

Step 6 - Lodge your application with supporting documentation and prescribed fees at your local Queensland Police Station. 

* Note, if you are moving to Queensland from Interstate/Overseas but do not have a pistol club licence, you will need to fulfil all requirements for a Queensland Applicant.   

QP 0515 - Application for Statement of Eligibility to Join an Approved Pistol Shooting Club  ( 297KB) 

Form 1 - Applicaton for a Licence  ( 553KB) 

Form 1 - Annexure - Sports or Target Shooting  ( 222KB) 

QP 0518B - Approved Club Declaration - Concealable Firearms Licence for Sports or Target Shooting (Overseas/Interstate Applicant)  ( 214KB)  

Endorsing your licence for Accredited Events

Persons holding a concealable firearms licence for sports or target shooting wishing to possess and use handguns for accredited events must complete Form 4B - Application for change of weapons category and/or change of condition(s) of a licence permit or approval prior to participating in these events. 

This application must include:

• Details of the specific handguns and nomination of the accredited event at which the applicant proposes to use the handgun.
• A letter from their approved shooting club verifying they participate in the specific accredited events.

There are no fees applicable for this transaction.  Once completed, lodge this application at your local Queensland police station. 

Form 4B - Change of Weapons Category and/or Change of Condition(s) of Licence ( 242KB)