Firearms Reforms & Buyback Scheme — Customer FAQ

Last updated: 1 May 2026

This page summarises what we know so far about the NSW firearms reforms passed in December 2025 and the proposed national buyback scheme. The situation is moving quickly — pricing, timelines and procedures have not been finalised. We will update this page as the NSW Firearms Registry and the Commonwealth release further detail.

The reforms in brief

Following the Bondi Beach attack on 14 December 2025, the NSW Government passed sweeping firearms reforms on 24 December 2025. The Commonwealth has legislated a national buyback scheme intended to run from January 2026 to January 2028, with funding shared 50:50 between Commonwealth and participating states.

Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia have so far declined to participate at the federal level, but NSW is proceeding regardless.

Which of my firearms are affected?

Under the NSW reforms, the following actions have been reclassified to Category C:

• Straight-pull rifles (e.g. Beretta BRX1)

• Straight-pull shotguns

• Pump-action rifles

• Pump-action shotguns

• Button-release and lever-release rifles and shotguns

These are captured under two separate definitions introduced by the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 amending the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW): "straight pull/pump action firearm" and "button/lever release firearm".

Definition 1 — "Straight pull/pump action firearm"

A straight pull or pump action repeating rifle, shotgun or other firearm:

(a) in which the action is cycled using a linear motion using the shooter's hand on a handle, bolt or other part, and (b) that does not require rotation during unlocking and locking, as in a traditional bolt-action repeating firearm when cycling the action.

Two-limb test:

1. Linear cycling motion — the action is worked by pushing/pulling a handle, bolt or fore-end in a straight line.

2. No rotation to lock or unlock — unlike a conventional bolt-action where the bolt handle is rotated to bring the bolt out of battery before pulling it rearward.

Both limbs must be satisfied. The definition expressly applies to "rifle, shotgun or other firearm" — there is no shotgun carve-out.

Definition 2 — "Button/lever release firearm"

A self-ejecting, lever, button or similar release repeating firearm that operates using the energy of the firearm discharge to perform some of the cycle of operation.

This captures button-release and lever-release actions where recoil energy aids cycling (Adler-style and similar).

Are straight-pull shotguns caught?

Yes. The new Category A definition for shotguns explicitly excludes pump-action, straight-pull, button/lever release, lever-action and self-loading variants. A straight-pull shotgun therefore cannot sit in Cat A and is reclassified to Cat C under the same regime as the rifle equivalents.

Likely caught by these definitions

• Straight-pull bolt rifles (Beretta BRX1, Strasser, Merkel Helix, Blaser R8 in straight-pull configuration)

• Straight-pull shotguns

• Pump-action centrefire and rimfire rifles

• Pump-action shotguns

• Button-release and lever-release actions (Adler-style and similar)

Belt-fed magazine firearms are banned outright under a separate provision.

In NSW, Category C access is limited primarily to primary producers. Recreational hunters and sport shooters generally cannot acquire or retain Cat C without that exemption.

Not caught by these definitions

• Conventional bolt-action rifles — the bolt handle rotates during locking/unlocking, failing limb (b) of the straight pull/pump action test

• Traditional lever-action rifles — the finger lever pivots on a fulcrum and is not a linear motion of a handle, bolt or fore-end (these remain Cat A subject to magazine capacity)

• Break-action shotguns and rifles

• Single-shot target rifles (F-Class, F-TR etc.)

Lever-action shotguns — separate consideration

Note that the new Category A shotgun definition also excludes lever-action shotguns. If you hold or are considering a lever-action shotgun, contact us for current category status — this is separate from the straight pull/pump action and button/lever release definitions above.

If you are unsure whether a specific firearm in your safe falls inside any of these definitions, contact us with the make and model and we will check it against the current Registry guidance.

Magazine capacity changes apply across Category A and B regardless of action type — see below.

What is the 4-gun cap?

NSW has introduced a cap of 4 firearms per licensed individual, with exemptions:

• Sport shooters: up to 10 firearms

• Primary producers: up to 10 firearms

If you currently hold more firearms than your applicable cap, surplus firearms will need to enter the buyback scheme. Compensation pricing has not been published.

Magazine capacity

Category A and B firearms are now capped at 5–10 rounds (previously unlimited). The exact figure within that range will be set in the regulations. Magazines exceeding the cap will need to be surrendered.

Permits to Acquire (PTAs)

PTAs are still being issued by NSW Police, but processing times have blown out significantly — currently up to 90 days in many cases. The slowdown is driven by the new framework changes, including the mandatory safe storage inspection requirement.

Plan ahead. If you intend to acquire a firearm, lodge your PTA application early and factor the longer wait into any deposit or order with us. We cannot supply a firearm without a valid PTA in hand.

If you have an outstanding application, contact the NSW Firearms Registry directly for status updates — we are unable to expedite or query applications on your behalf.

I have a lay-by or deposit on a firearm

• If the firearm is now reclassified to Cat C and you do not hold that category — contact us to arrange a refund or substitution.

• If the firearm remains Cat A or B and you hold a valid PTA — we will work through your order as normal once supply allows.

• If your PTA application is in limbo — contact us to discuss options, including holding the deposit, refund, or substitution to in-stock items.

What about ammunition, projectiles, brass, powder and reloading gear?

This is the biggest unanswered question for our customer base.

NSW law restricts licence holders from possessing ammunition or components without a reasonable excuse. If your firearms in a given calibre are surrendered, your matching ammunition and reloading components may become problematic to retain.

SIFA is actively pushing for the buyback scheme to compensate licence holders for redundant ammunition, projectiles, brass, primers, powder, magazines, optics, mounts and reloading equipment. As of this update, there is no government commitment on whether components and accessories will be included.

Our advice:

• Keep purchase records, invoices and serial numbers for all components, optics, magazines and accessories tied to firearms you may need to surrender.

• Photograph your stockpile and store the records separately from the firearms.

• These records may form part of a compensation claim once the scheme details are published.

Licence and storage changes

• Standard licence terms reduced from 5 years to 2 years.

• Mandatory safe storage inspection before issue of a first PTA.

• Mandatory club membership for all licence holders (clubs required to use the GunSafe platform for record-keeping).

• New licences restricted to Australian citizens (NZ permanent residents working in primary production or security are exempt).

• NCAT review pathway removed — licensing decisions can no longer be reviewed by the tribunal.

Implications for permanent residents

Under the NSW reforms, firearms licences are restricted to Australian citizens only, with a narrow carve-out for New Zealand permanent residents working in primary production or security roles.

What this means in practice:

• New applications. Permanent residents (other than the NZ carve-out) can no longer apply for a NSW firearms licence.

• Existing PR licence holders. The position at renewal is not yet fully clear. With licence terms cut from 5 years to 2 years, every PR licence holder will hit a renewal under the new framework relatively soon. Early legal commentary indicates PR licences will not be renewable, but you should confirm directly with the NSW Firearms Registry rather than rely on third-party interpretations.

• NZ permanent residents. Eligibility under the carve-out is tied to occupation — primary production or security. Sport shooting and recreational hunting are not, on the published wording, covered by the exemption.

• Dual nationals and citizenship-in-progress. If you have applied for or are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, this is the cleanest pathway to retaining your licence long-term. Citizenship processing currently runs 12+ months in many cases — start early.

Recommended steps if you are a permanent resident:

1. Check your renewal date. Identify how much time you have on your current licence.

2. Contact the NSW Firearms Registry on 1300 362 562 for direct guidance on your specific category and circumstances.

3. Consider your citizenship pathway if you are eligible.

4. Seek specialist legal advice if you receive a show-cause notice or revocation — there are tight response deadlines (typically 28 days) and the NCAT review pathway is no longer available.

5. Plan for orderly disposal. If your eligibility will lapse, options include consignment sale through a licensed dealer, transfer to another licence holder, or surrender through the buyback scheme (compensation pending).

We can assist with consignment sales and orderly transfers for affected customers. Email sales@magnumsports.com.au to discuss your situation in confidence.

What should I do now?

1. Audit your safe. Identify firearms reclassified to Cat C, and whether you exceed the 4-firearm cap (or 10-firearm cap if you hold the sport shooter or primary producer exemption).

2. Document everything. Photograph affected firearms, ammunition, components, magazines and optics. Keep receipts.

3. Do not surrender anything yet. Collection points, procedures and pricing have not been finalised. Surrender outside the formal scheme means no compensation.

4. Confirm your sport shooter / primary producer status with your club or the Registry if you intend to rely on the 10-firearm cap.

5. Stay in touch. We will email registered customers when collection points and the compensation schedule are published.

F-Class and F-TR shooters

If you compete in F-Class, F-TR or similar disciplines:

• Your primary rifles (bolt-action target rifles) are not affected by the action-type reclassifications.

• The 10-firearm cap under the sport shooter exemption applies — confirm your exemption status with your club.

• The 2-year licence renewal cycle now applies in place of 5-year.

• Your reloading components and projectiles (Berger, Lapua, etc.) are not directly affected by the reforms, provided you retain firearms in the relevant calibres.

Useful links

• NSW Firearms Registry: police.nsw.gov.au/firearms

• Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA): sifa.net.au

• SSAA NSW: ssaansw.org.au

Get in touch

Email sales@magnumsports.com.au with specific questions about your situation. We will do our best to assist, but please note we are not legal advisors and cannot speak on behalf of the NSW Firearms Registry.

This FAQ is general information only and is not legal advice. Compensation rates, collection procedures and timelines have not been finalised by government and remain subject to change. The information here reflects our understanding as of the date above.