Occupational - Primary Production & Rural Purpose

Applying for a 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.

Occupational - Primary Production on rural lands (categories A, B, C, D)

A person may apply for this genuine reason if they require possession and use of firearms as part of their duties as a primary producer on rural lands.  To apply for this genuine reason complete Form 1 – Application for a Licence and the Occupational rural purposes annexure.

If you are a lessee and wish to obtain a primary production licence you must provide a copy of the lease of the property in question.

Depending on the category/ies of firearm/s that you apply to use as part of conduct of your duties as a primary producer, you will need to provide further information as provided below

If you are applying for more than 1 property, an occupational rural purposes annexure must be completed for each property.  Also, if you intend to use firearms to shoot birds, you must provide a Damage Mitigation permit indicating bird problems and your authority to shoot them.

If you are not an employee but a family member assisting the owner in primary production on the rural lands, you may not be required to apply for a licence.  Refer to section 54 of the Weapons Act 1990.

For categories A, B, C and D need to provide the following:

• The reason why possession of a firearm is necessary for you to conduct your business and why the need cannot be satisfied in another way; or
• If you are an employee on a rural property, your employer must provide details of your employment and your need to use firearms on the property.

This annexure must be signed and dated by the property owner within 12 months preceding the lodgement of your application.  Section 2 of the annexure pertains to this and must be duly completed as per requirement.  For an employee, the rural employee verification, section 3 of the annexure must be completed by your employer. 

For category C firearm in addition the applicant must provide the following:

• Proof that the applicant has a significant feral animal/vermin infestation problem on their property and other methods of eradication such as use of category A and B firearm or baiting have proven unsuccessful. (Section 2 of the Occupational rural purposes annexure pertains to this and must be duly completed as per requirements);
• Details of any other category C licence holders on the property;
• If the applicant is an employee, their employer must provide details of the employment and the applicant’s need to use firearms on their property; and
• This annexure must be signed and dated by the property owner within 12 months preceding the lodgement of the application. 

Firearms licences for Category C may be endorsed to allow the licensee to possess and use one (1) category C rifle and/or shotgun. 

Consideration may be given for the possession of more than one (1) Category C rifle and/or shotgun if the need arises because of the area or the location of the land involved. 

Unless exceptional circumstances exist, only one (1) firearms licence endorsed for Category C firearms will be issued for the rural lands.

For category D firearm in addition, the applicant must provide the following:

• Proof that the applicant has a significant feral animal/vermin infestation problem on their property and other methods of eradication of these issues such as baiting have proven unsuccessful. (Section 2 of the occupational rural purposes annexure pertains to this and must be duly completed as per requirements);
• An occupational rural purposes annexure that is signed and dated within 12 months preceding the lodgement of the application;
• Details of any other category D licence holders on the property;
• The proposed area of use; and
• If the applicant is an employee, their employer must provide details of the employment and the applicant’s need to use firearms on their property.

These types of licences are restricted to 1 category D licence per property and a maximum of 1 category D weapon. 

This licence may only be issued for a maximum term of 1 year.  As a licensee it is a requirement to justify the need to hold or continue to hold a category D licence each year on renewal.

The Category D weapon may only be used on the rural land or area stated on the licence.

Form 1 - Application for a Licence ( 773KB) 

Form 1 - Annexure - Occupational - Rural Purposes ( 252KB)