Licensing Requirements for Non-Australian Citizens

Download Licensing Requirements for Non-Australian Citizens - Fact Sheet (PDF)

On 3 August 2026, amendments to the Weapons Act 1990 arising from the Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Act 2026 commenced and introduced new eligibility criteria for weapons licences.

These amendments limit the issue of licences to Australian citizens, while providing exceptions for non-citizens who have a genuine reason of sport or target shooting, or who require a licence for occupational purposes only.

Obligations and responsibilities

Queensland weapons licence holders must comply with the requirements of the Weapons Act 1990, Weapons Regulation 2016 and Weapons Categories Regulation 1997, including any conditions attached to their licence.

Genuine Reason

You must demonstrate that you have an eligible genuine reason to possess and use weapons under a Queensland weapons licence. It is important that you provide sufficient supporting documentation to substantiate the genuine reason you have nominated. Eligible genuine reasons include:

Sports or target shooting – shooting club activities on an approved shooting range.
Occupational – including an occupational requirement for rural purposes e.g: primary production/rural employee on rural land.

For existing licence holders, if your current weapons licence is endorsed for a genuine reason that is no longer eligible (e.g: recreational shooting on rural lands), the conditions endorsed on your licence will be reviewed when you apply to renew your weapons licence. For a list of supporting documents, visit the WLG page.

Non-Australian citizens will only be eligible to hold a weapons licence endorsed for the specific genuine reason approved by the authorised officer, such as sport or target shooting, or an occupational requirement. Complimentary condition codes that authorise the possession or use of firearms for other purposes cannot be considered for, or applied to a licence issued to a non-Australian citizen.

Residency Documents

Non-Australian citizens, including permanent residents must provide evidence of their residency/citizenship status documents when submitting a new weapons licence application or a weapons licence renewal application. Providing this information will help us process your application in a timely manner and reduce the need to request further information. Supporting documentation may include:

Foreign Passport with visa; or
Foreign passport, with current Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) document
New Zealand Passport; or
ImmiCard

Temporary Visa Holders should note that weapons licence expiry dates will be aligned with your visa expiry date.

Safe and secure storage

A person who possesses a firearm must take all reasonable precautions to ensure safe and secure storage of the firearm.

To apply for a weapons licence, you must demonstrate that you have access to safe storage for the weapons you intend to possess.

Please read the requirements for safe storage.

Weapons safety training

You must complete the Firearms Safety Training Course (11029NAT) endorsed for the category of weapon you are applying for and wish to operate. You must complete this training in the 12 months immediately prior to lodging your application and provide the Firearms Course certificate to demonstrate that you have completed the training.

Search ‘Firearms’ on the National Training Register.

How to apply

Online applications are the preferred lodgement method. Online applications reduce the risk of not providing sufficient supporting information.

Complete and submit your application online via the Queensland Police Service website, select 'Apply' on the Weapons Licensing Group main page.

Can I apply another way?

In Person – a hard copy Form 1 – Application for a Licence can be downloaded from the Queensland Police Service website and lodged at a participating Australia Post outlet.

It is important that all supporting documentation is provided with your lodgement to avoid unnecessary delays with your application being processed.

Application cost

Our fees typically increase on 1 July each year. Your application fee will vary based on the licence type and licence duration you select. Fees are payable on lodgement of your application.

Read more on current Weapons Licensing fees.

Proof of Identity and Residency

When lodging your licence application in person, or online, you will be required to undertake a proof of identity check at a participating Australia Post outlet.

If you lodge your application in person, you will be required to undertake the identity check at the time of lodgement.

If you submit your licence application online, you must undertake a proof of identity check at a participating Australia Post outlet within 28 days from the date you lodge your new application.

You are encouraged to present one of these documents when you undertake a proof of identity check:

Foreign Passport with visa; or
Foreign passport, with current Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) document
New Zealand Passport; or
ImmiCard

Your personal details must match your supporting documents.

All documents must be original and current – photocopies and certified copies will NOT be accepted.
Where your application has a spelling mistake you will NOT be able to complete your identity check.
Where you did not include your middle name (and it appears on your supporting documents) you will NOT be able to complete your identity check.

As part of the identity check, an Australia Post operator will take a passport quality photograph and send this to WLG for confirmation of identity. Failure to complete the identity check in time will result in your application being withdrawn and a refund of fees.

Read about the current Australian passport photo requirements.

Application assessment timeframes

There is a legislated 28 day waiting period on all new applications for a Queensland weapons licence.

You may experience a delay in the assessment of your application where you have not provided all the required information at lodgement and an Authorised Officer requests further information. It is important that you read the request for further information carefully and reply before the due date. If you do not provide the information in time, the assessment will continue with the information available. This may result in the decision to withdraw or reject your application.

Check the Weapons Licencing main page for current processing times.

How will I know if my application is approved?

We will notify you if your weapons licence is approved via the email address you provide in your application.

If you have not provided an email address, WLG will not be able to notify you of your application outcome before you receive your licence card.

Your licence card and conditions will be posted to the address supplied with your application.

Please allow approximately 20 working days from the date of issue to receive your new licence.

How do I acquire a weapon?

A weapons licence allows you to operate a weapon - you cannot own or buy a weapon just because you have a licence.

If you wish to acquire a weapon you must lodge an application for a permit to acquire (PTA).

You will be asked to provide the details of your valid Queensland weapons licence when you apply for a PTA.

Changes in Circumstances

If you hold a current weapons licence, you must advise the Weapons Licensing Group (WLG) of any change in your circumstances or personal details within 14 days of the change. This includes changes to:

Your personal details (name, residential address/s or contact information)