Welcome to the Weapons Licensing section of the QPS website.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Customer Enquiries Telephone Hours are from 9am until 4pm Monday to Friday. Contact 07 3015 7777

This website section provides information and advice on:

Important Notifications

Review of Weapons Regulations

On 1 September 2016, the Weapons Regulation 1996 will expire. The Office of Queensland Parliamentary Counsel is conducting a review of the legislation to ensure that the language used in the regulation meets modern legislative drafting standards.

In conjunction with the remake of the regulation, the Queensland Police Service is proposing a small number of changes to both the Weapons Regulation 1996 and the Weapons Categories Regulation 1997.

The review includes a consultation phase with key stakeholders who have an interest in or who are affected by the proposed changes.  It is envisaged consultation will commence in May 2016.

Changes to Forms

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our services for you, Weapons Licensing has introduced interactive forms. Please note these are not online forms.

Our interactive forms contain fields which can be filled in using your computer. Java Script will need to be enabled on your computer for you to complete these forms.

The interactive forms enable you to save the form on your computer, type in your details and print it for lodgement at a Queensland Police Station.  

The option to save the form to your computer, print it and manually complete the details before lodging is still available. 

Before printing your form please ensure the information you provide is accurate and the fields are completed.

Next Suite of IT enhancements to include on-line renewals

Weapons Licensing has received funding approval for the next suite of IT enhancements. A Project Manager has now been appointed to the project and will be undertaking consultation as required.
The enhancements are:

  • Extension of the online application and payment functionality to cater for the submission of individual and business licence renewals. Licence renewal applications will be able to be made from home 24/7 using an online renewal reference number provided in the courtesy renewal pack forwarded to licensees prior to the expiration of the licence; and
  • Streamlining the assessment process for PTAs for Category A and B firearms in order to reduce the turnaround times for these PTAs.

Another enhancement will be for the mandatory uploading of supporting documentation required for new licence applications. Weapons Licensing is currently receiving 25% of new licence applications incomplete. This figure represents a significant concern for weapons licensing as we are receiving approximately 350 applications a week, a 50% increase in the last 3 years and cannot continue to effectively process applications with this percentage or a similar high percentage of incomplete applications. Applicants who do not have access to a scanner can take a digital photograph of the document/s and upload these images. This will ensure Weapons Licensing receives complete applications and will be able to maintain acceptable processing times.
Applicants who prefer not to scan and upload documents through the online system will not be disadvantaged and can still apply by submitting a paper based application at their local police station.

Expired Firearm Licence Project

Weapons Licensing has commenced a project focussing on identifying and locating firearms registered against expired licences.

This project is being undertaken to reduce the number of firearms registered to expired licences in the community that could fall into the grey and black market and be used in organised crime and major drug crime. By ensuring these firearms are properly licenced and tracked, this protects the community and the rights of legitimate firearms licence holders.

Weapons Licensing will be contacting expired licence holders requiring them to forthwith dispose of any firearms in their possession for safekeeping to a:

  • licensed firearm dealer;
  • person who is the holder of a licence authorising possession of the same category of weapon (on a temporary basis for not more than 3 months); or
  • police station (dependent on storage availability).

They must then inform Weapons Licensing of the safe-keeping by letter or email.  Individuals may then either apply for a new Queensland Weapons Licence or arrange for the permanent disposal of their firearms.

From May 2016 the details of any outstanding firearms still in possession of these expired licence holders will be forwarded to local police for necessary action.

A link to the Weapons Licensing Expired Licence Brochure.pdf is provided for information.

For further information, Weapons Licensing can be contacted on
07 3015 7850 or via email at weapons.expired@police.qld.gov.au

Preferred Method of Contact - Are your personal details up to date?

Please be advised that Weapons Licensing's preferred method of contact is now via email. Please ensure to check both the Inbox and Junk Mail Folders.

Renewal packages and correspondence relating to your licence are now emailed to existing licence holders where an email address is recorded. Licence holders are reminded of the importance of providing personal email addresses to ensure important information relating their licence/s is received. We ask that applicants continue to provide Weapons Licensing with their email address or update their existing email address. You can update your email address by either sending an email to weaponslicensing@police.qld.gov.au and simply state "Here is my email address and Licence number" or you could complete the Online Change in Circumstance Form available at www.police.qld.gov.au/forms/wlbchangeofaddress.asp.

Please note if applicants do not have an email address, they will continue to receive their courtesy renewal package in hard copy form via Australia Post.

Current Processing Times and Issues

Weapons Licensing is working efficiently and promptly to process your fire​arms licence application.  To find out more about current processing times, issues and strategies implemented, please click on this document to view QPS Weapons Licensing Update.

Getting Assistance from Clubs or Dealers

Applicants, you are strongly encouraged to contact your local club or dealer about assisting you to complete your licence application, and ensure the required documentation is submitted. Before you attend your local club or dealer, please refer to the Weapons Licensing website and be aware of the required documentation for your genuine reason. Weapons Applications Flyer​

Storage - Firearms and Weapons

A person who possesses a firearm must take all reasonable precautions to ensure safe storage of their firearm <<more>>

Late Lodgement of Renewal Applications

If a renewal application is lodged at a Queensland Police Station on or after the expiry date on the licence, the licence cannot be renewed <<more>> 

Online Applications available now!
Save Time - Apply Online

Individuals and businesses can now apply online for Weapons Licences and Permits to Acquire (a weapon). Check out the apply online page for hints and tips and the video overview.

Please note: You cannot renew your Weapons Licence online. See the renewals section for information on how to renew your Weapons Licence.

Read more about what's new in Weapons Licensing in Queensland.