Part 1
Preliminary
Part 1 — Preliminary
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Citation 1
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Commencement 1
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Terms used 1
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Western Australia regulation
What these regulations do (mechanics first)
Put flesh on the Firearms Act 2024 by prescribing: licence and permit types; who can get them and on what conditions; detailed storage, transport and display rules; what firearms, ammunition and accessories are prohibited; reporting and record‑keeping obligations; fees and infringement (penalty notice) rules; and transitional arrangements for older authorities (see, for example, regs 18–25, 48, 261–278, 286–291, Schedules 1–6 and Schedule 10 for fees).
Create many specialised licence classes and associated application requirements and conditions (Competition, Hunting, Paintball, Business, Trade, Range, Collector, Club, Government Entity, etc.) and set separate limits and permitted uses for each (see Parts 3–4: e.g. regs 19–29, 30–41, 44–56, 167–194). Many licence grants and approvals are constrained by Commissioner satisfaction tests under the Act (these regulations frequently operate under section 142 of the Act — see regs marked “Act s. 142”).
Prescribe storage and security standards with three storage levels (level 1–3), detailed construction/anchoring and alarm/video requirements, and rules for commercial and shared storage (regs 261–284; Schedule 4, Schedule 5, Schedule 6; regs 267–268 for alarm/CCTV standards).
Set specific rules for transporting and commercially warehousing firearms and related things, including packing, temporary inoperability, tracking devices for some categories and arrangements with commercial carriers (regs 286–291, 287–291).
Want the full deep dive?
Zoe can write the in-depth analysis on top of the summary above: how it works, who it affects and what each part actually does.
Direct links to the current provisions in Firearms Regulations 2024.
Part 1 — Preliminary
Citation 1
Commencement 1
Terms used 1
Part 2 — Matters for Part 1 of Act
Disqualifying offences (Act s. 5) 6
Disqualifying periods for disqualifying offences (Act s. 9) 6
Disqualifying orders and their disqualifying periods (Act s. 5 and 9) 10
Disqualifying period for membership of disqualifying organisation (Act s. 9) 11
Prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 5) 11
Prescribed paintball pellet (Act s. 5) 12
Prohibited accessory (Act s. 5) 12
Prohibited ammunition (Act s. 5) 13
Prohibited firearm (Act s. 5) 13
Method of propulsion for firearm (Act s. 6) 13
Things that are not firearms (Act s. 6) 14
Firearm categories (Act s. 8) 14
Categorisation of firearms with particular functions or devices 15
Major firearm part (Act s. 14) 16
Part 3 — Licences
Division 1 — Competition Licences
Subdivision 2 — Applications and restrictions
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 17
Club letter 18
Restriction on grant of licence: member of suitable licensed firearm club (Act s. 142) 19
Restriction on grant of licence: category C firearm (Act s. 142) 19
Restriction on grant of licence: characteristics of category H firearm (Act s. 124) 20
Restriction on grant of licence: member of handgun club for particular periods for category H firearm (Act s. 142) 21
Maximum number of firearms (Act s. 30) 24
Subdivision 3 — Minimum activity requirements
Prescribed minimum activity requirement (Act s. 32) 26
External shooting competitions 27
Reduction or waiver of prescribed minimum activity requirement (Act s. 32) 28
Condition of licence: large calibre handguns (Act s. 187) 28
Division 2 — Hunting Licences
Subdivision 1 — General
Terms used 29
Extension of authority conferred by Hunting Licence (Act s. 122) 29
Limit on authority (Act s. 123) 30
Restriction on grant of licence: no standard hunting permission (Act s. 142) 30
Applications for determination of suitability of land for hunting using firearm 30
Subdivision 2 — Hunting permissions
34A. Authorised persons (Act s. 39) 31
Types of hunting permission 32
Period for hunting permission (Act s. 39) 32
Requirement to notify Commissioner if no longer authorised person (Act s. 39) 33
Lapsing of hunting permission if person ceases to be authorised person (Act s. 39) 34
Obligation of person revoking hunting permission 34
Renewal of hunting permission (Act s. 39) 34
Giving copies of hunting permissions to Commissioner 35
Division 3 — Paintball Licences
Requirement for application for grant of licence: licensed paintball business letter 35
Limit on authority: no use other than at licensed premises (Act s. 123) 36
Division 4 — Business Licences
Terms used 36
Activity that is business (Act s. 43) 36
Subdivision 2 — Matters for all Business Licences
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 37
Requirements for application for grant of licence: business plan 37
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 38
Subdivision 3 — Security Agent Business Licence
Terms used 39
Requirements for application for grant of licence 40
Record‑keeping requirements for licence: particular records 41
Conditions of licence: authorised persons for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 41
Condition of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 43
Condition of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 43
Record of completion of relevant training course 44
Limit on authority: no manufacture of ammunition (Act s. 123) 45
Subdivision 4 — Firearms Training Business Licence
Requirements for application for grant of licence 45
Restriction on grant of licence: appropriately qualified to provide firearms training (Act s. 142) 45
Subdivision 5 — Theatrical Firearm Business Licence
Terms used 46
Requirements for application for grant of licence 46
Restriction on grant of licence: replica or visual effects not suitable (Act s. 142) 47
Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 47
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 49
Application for approval for use of firearm with live ammunition under s. 50(4) of Act 50
Restriction on grant of approval for use of firearm with live ammunition under s. 50(4) of Act (Act s. 142) 51
Conditions of approval for use of firearm with live ammunition under s. 50(4) of Act (Act s. 186 and 187) 51
Subdivision 6 — Paintball Business Licence
Terms used 53
Requirements for application for grant of licence 54
Discretionary grounds for refusal to grant licence (Act s. 142) 54
Licensed premises 55
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 56
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 56
Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 58
Extension of authority for inspecting and testing of paintball gun (Act s. 122) 59
Structural and other changes to licensed premises 60
Subdivision 7 — Professional Shooter Business Licence
Term used: professional shooting service 61
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 61
Restriction on grant of licence: category E firearm (Act s. 124) 61
Restriction on grant of licence: tranquilliser gun (Act s. 142) 62
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 62
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 62
Subdivision 8 — Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence
Terms used 63
Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence (Act s. 53) 64
Firearms to which Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence applies (Act s. 124) 64
Restriction on grant of licence: category E firearms (Act s. 124) 64
Requirement for application for grant of licence 64
Restriction on grant of licence: tranquilliser gun (Act s. 142) 65
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 65
Restriction on grant of licence: category H firearm (Act s. 124) 65
Limit on authority: category H firearm (Act s. 123) 66
Requirement for application for grant of designated Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence 66
Restriction on grant of designated Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence: appropriately qualified to provide firearm safety training course (Act s. 142) 66
Extension of authority of designated Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence: firearm safety training course (Act s. 122) 67
Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence authority for sighting in at authorised use locations (Act s. 111) 68
Subdivision 9 — Event Business Licence
Event Business Licence (Act s. 53) 68
Firearms to which Event Business Licence applies (Act s. 124) 68
Limit on authority conferred by Event Business Licence (Act s. 123) 69
Subdivision 10 — Industrial Business Licence
Term used: industrial business 69
Industrial Business Licence (Act s. 53) 70
Firearms to which Industrial Business Licence applies (Act s. 124) 70
Restriction on grant of Industrial Business Licence: category A and B firearms (Act s. 124) 70
Limit on use of category A and B firearms (Act s. 124) 70
Restriction on grant of Industrial Business Licence: category E firearms (Act s. 124) 71
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 71
Limit on authority: kiln gun (Act s. 123) 72
Industrial Business Licence authority for sighting in at authorised use locations (Act s. 111) 72
Division 5 — Primary Producer Licences
Terms used 72
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 73
Restriction on grant of licence: category E firearm (Act s. 124) 73
Restriction on grant of licence: tranquilliser gun (Act s. 142) 74
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 74
Restriction on grant of licence: category H firearm (Act s. 124) 75
Limit on authority: category H firearm (Act s. 123) 75
Limit on authority: primary producer’s Hunting Licence (Act s. 123) 76
Division 6 — Collector Licences
Terms used 76
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 76
Approved society of firearm collectors letter 78
Restriction on grant of Collector Licence for firearms (Act s. 142) 78
Restriction on grant of Collector Licence for firearms: major firearm parts (Act s. 142) 79
Requirements for firearm, major firearm part or ammunition to have significant historical value (Act s. 69) 80
Requirements for firearm, major firearm part or ammunition to have significant commemorative value (Act s. 69) 81
Requirements for firearm to have significant thematic value (Act s. 69) 82
Requirements for major firearm part to have significant thematic value 83
Requirements for ammunition to have significant thematic value (Act s. 69) 84
Restriction on types of firearms and ammunition to which Collector Licence can apply (Act s. 66, 68 and 142) 85
Prohibited firearm permitted: revolving rifle (Act s. 119 and 142) 86
Extension of authority of licence: prohibited accessory for firearm (Act s. 122) 87
Record‑keeping requirements for licence: possession of ammunition 87
Division 7 — Approved society of firearm collectors
Requirement and application for approval of society of firearm collectors (Act s. 70) 88
Record‑keeping requirements for approved society of firearm collectors 89
Division 8 — Club Licences
Subdivision 2 — Applications and restrictions
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 91
Relevant disciplines for licence 92
Amendment of relevant disciplines for licence 93
Restriction on grant of licence: target shooting (Act s. 142) 94
Restriction on grant of licence: category C firearm (Act s. 142) 94
Restriction on grant of licence: characteristics of category H firearm (Act s. 124) 95
Restriction on grant of licence: large calibre handgun (Act s. 124) 96
Subdivision 3 — Limit on authority and conditions
Limit on authority: use authorised for relevant discipline only (Act s. 123) 96
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 97
140A. Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 98
Competition requirement for licensed firearm club 98
Reduction or waiver of competition requirement 99
Subdivision 4 — Membership of licensed firearm club and reportable matters
Membership matters: requirements for membership of licensed firearm club (Act s. 77) 100
Membership matters: circumstances in which licensed firearm club must suspend or cancel membership (Act s. 77) 101
Reportable matters: registered shooting competitions (Act s. 375) 102
Reportable matters: manner and time within which information must be provided (Act s. 375) 103
Reportable matters: member of club not fit and proper person (Act s. 375) 103
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 103
Division 9 — Range Licences
Terms used 104
Requirements for application for grant of licence: business plan 105
Subdivision 2 — Range Licences other than for shooting galleries
Application of Subdivision 106
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 106
Restriction on grant of licence: proposed plan suitable for safe operation (Act s. 142) 107
Licensed plan of shooting area for firearm range 108
Restriction on grant of licence: category C firearm (Act s. 142) 108
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 109
156A. Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 110
Subdivision 3 — Range Licences for shooting galleries
Requirements for application for grant of licence 112
Restriction on grant of licence: proposed plan suitable for safe operation and shooting area meets standards of construction (Act s. 142) 113
Licensed plan of shooting area for shooting gallery 113
Restriction on grant of licence: only particular category A firearms (Act s. 124) 114
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 114
Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 115
Interference with parts of shooting gallery 116
Reporting for licence: operation of shooting gallery 117
Division 10 — Trade Licences
Subdivision 2 — Licences and approvals as authorised persons
Requirements for application for grant of licence 118
Requirements for application for grant of licence: business plan 119
Restriction on grant of Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence (Act s. 142) 120
Restriction on grant of approval of person as authorised person for Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence (Act s. 142) 121
Discretionary grounds for refusal to grant licence (Act s. 142) 122
Subdivision 3 — Minimum level of business activity and conditions of Trade Licences
Minimum level of business activity for particular Trade Licences (Act s. 90) 123
Conditions of Trade Licences: authorised persons for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 124
Conditions of Trade Licences: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 125
Condition of Firearm Storage Licences: authorised persons (Act s. 186 and 187) 127
Conditions of Firearm Storage Licences: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 128
Conditions of Firearm Manufacture Licence and Firearm Dealer Licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 129
Conditions of Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence: licensee’s obligations relating to authorised apprentice (Act s. 186 and 187) 130
Condition of approval of authorised person for Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 131
Conditions of Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence: authorised apprentice’s obligations (Act s. 186 and 187) 131
Subdivision 4 — Reporting and record‑keeping requirements
Reporting for Trade Licence: accepting possession 132
Reporting for Firearm Manufacture Licence 133
Reporting for Trade Licence: ceasing to possess 134
Reporting for Trade Licence: trade activity occurs for licensee under Trade Licence and other licence or permit 136
Records for Trade Licence: firearm technology 137
Reporting for Trade Licence: giving firearm technology 139
Subdivision 5 — Particular approvals relating to Trade Licences
Limit on high‑risk items (Act s. 89) 139
Prohibited firearms or prohibited ammunition permitted under Trade Licence if high‑risk item approval granted (Act s. 119 and 120) 140
High‑risk item approvals 141
Restriction on grant of high‑risk item approval or prohibited accessory approval (Act s. 142) 142
Restriction on grant of prohibited accessory approval: Firearm Storage Licence (Act s. 142) 143
Application for approval for creation of firearm technology for repairer or manufacturer 144
Restriction on grant of approval for firearm technology nomination approval (Act s. 142) 144
Subdivision 6 — Extension of authority
Division 11 — Government Entity Licences
Terms used 146
Purpose of Government Entity Licence 146
Requirements for application for grant of licence 146
Subdivision 2 — Purposes of licences: animal control and law enforcement
Subdivision 3 — Animal Control Licence
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 148
Limit on authority: category D firearm (Act s. 123) 148
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 149
Restriction on grant of licence: tranquilliser gun for animal control (Act s. 142) 149
Restriction on grant of licence: category H firearms for animal control (Act s. 124) 149
Approval of prohibited accessory for firearm (Act s. 121) 150
Subdivision 4 — Law Enforcement Licence
Prohibited firearms permitted (Act s. 119) 150
Approval for prohibited ammunition (Act s. 120) 151
Subdivision 5 — Purpose of licence: museum activities
Government Entity Licence for museum activities (Act s. 103, 119 and 122) 151
Approval for prohibited ammunition (Act s. 120) 153
Subdivision 6 — Miscellaneous
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 154
Extension of authority of Government Entity Licence: firearms training at licensed firearm range (Act s. 122) 155
Extension of authority of Government Entity Licence: firearm safety training course (Act s. 122) 156
Part 4 — Permits
Term used: permit holder 158
Permits for holders of equivalent authorities (Act s. 134) 158
Condition of permit for holder of equivalent authority (Act s. 186 and 187) 158
Extension of authority conferred by permit for holder of equivalent authority: supervision of young persons’ participation in competition shooting and paintball (Act s. 122) 159
Miscellaneous possession permits (Act s. 134) 160
Limit on authority: permit to possess firearm does not authorise possession of ammunition or magazine (Act s. 123 and 127) 160
Application on behalf of responsible person for permit 161
Part does not limit Act 161
Part 5 — Firearm authority procedures and other matters
Division 1 — Applying for grant or renewal of firearm authorities
Subdivision 1 — Matters relevant for requirements under Part 4 Divisions 2, 3 and 4 of Act
Failure to notify Commissioner about change of information in application (Act s. 142 and 193) 162
Firearm authority health standards (Act s. 5) 162
Matters to have regard to in determining whether firearm authority health standards are met (Act s. 401) 163
Granting licences or approvals to particular non‑citizen residents (Act s. 159) 164
Firearm safety training courses (Act s. 166) 166
Commissioner may exempt persons from requirement under r. 224 to complete firearm safety training course 167
Safety standards and tests (Act s. 167) 168
Subdivision 2 — Additional requirements for applications for grant or renewal of firearm authorities
Applications for grant or renewal of firearm authority: declarations by individual applicants 168
Applications for grant or renewal of firearm authority: declarations relating to body corporate applicants 169
Applications for grant or renewal of firearm authority: declarations relating to partnership applicants 171
Requirements for applications for grant or renewal of licence or permit: relevant management positions 173
Requirements for applications for grant of licence or permit: responsible person 174
Subdivision 3 — Other matters for applications relating to firearm authorities
Division 2 — Miscellaneous
Authority number 175
Regulations made under s. 142 of Act 175
Part 6 — Restrictions, requirements and offences relating to firearm authorities
Division 1 — Matters relating to firearm authority offences
Large sum of money (Act s. 218) 176
Circumstances in which persons outside State taken to be authorised by licence or permit (Act s. 226, 229, 235, 238, 245 to 248, 254, 255, 260 and 261) 176
Division 2 — Other provisions
Subdivision 2 — Requirements to report
Requirement to report safety incident 177
Requirement to report if firearm taken out of State 178
Notification and reporting obligations 179
Subdivision 3 — Conditions, limits and extension on or of authority
Condition of particular licences: declarations for unverified persons (Act s. 186 and 187) 180
Record‑keeping requirement for licences: declaration obtained under r. 241 182
Condition of approval as approved firearms trainer: declaration for firearm safety training course (Act s. 186 and 187) 182
Record‑keeping requirement for approval: declaration obtained under r. 243 183
Record‑keeping requirements: firearm safety training course in connection with particular licences 183
Record‑keeping requirements: firearm safety training course taught by training provider 185
Limit on authority: supervised persons (Act s. 123) 185
Limit on authority: licences and permits that authorise use at licensed firearm range (Act s. 123) 186
Limit on authority: licences and permits that authorise use of prescribed paintball gun at licensed firearm range (Act s. 123) 186
Extension of authority for authorised persons: possession of firearms (Act s. 122) 187
Subdivision 4 — Discretionary grounds for cancellation and refusal to renew
Discretionary ground for cancellation of, or refusal to renew, licence or relevant approval: authorised person contravenes condition (Act s. 193) 187
Discretionary ground for cancellation of, or refusal to renew, firearm authority: failure to reclaim after restraining order ceases (Act s. 193) 188
Subdivision 5 — Requests for information and production of records of information, declarations and documents
Request for information about, or production of, records of information, declarations or documents 189
Requirement to keep record of information, declaration or document continues despite cancellation or ending of firearm authority 190
Request for information: information about continuing to hold firearm authority and other matters 190
Part 7 — Exceptions to offences relating to remote use devices
Terms used 192
Exception to offence of possession of remote use device (Act s. 294) 192
Exception to offence of using remote use device (Act s. 294) 193
Exception to offence of manufacturing remote use device (Act s. 294) 194
Part 8 — Storage
Division 1 — Preliminary
Application of Part 195
Level 1 storage 195
Level 2 storage 196
Level 3 storage 197
Compliant display requirements 197
Compliant secure room requirements 198
Compliant strongroom requirements 198
Operational level 1 alarm systems and operational level 2 alarm systems 198
Operational video surveillance system 200
Division 2 — Storage regulations for general storers
Purpose of Division (Act s. 312) 202
Storage requirements for firearms and related things in Schedule 6 203
General storers storing class 1 accessories and prohibited accessories in firearm repositories 203
Commissioner may exempt general storers from requirement of this Division or Schedule 6 203
Effect of exemption granted under r. 272 205
Division 3 — Storage regulations for trade storers
Purpose of Division (Act s. 312) 205
Trade storers storing category A, B, C and E firearms 206
Trade storers storing category D firearms or uncategorised prohibited firearms 206
Trade storers storing category H firearms 207
Trade storers storing class 1 accessories or prohibited accessories 208
Division 3A — Exemption from use of Grade V safe
278A. Person may make request to Commissioner for exemption to enable use of safe that is not Grade V safe 209
278B. Effect of exemption 210
Division 4 — Other storage regulations
Purpose of Division (Act s. 312) 210
Magazines to be stored unloaded 210
Key and access card storage requirements 211
Access to firearms and related things within firearm repositories 211
Storers to have maintenance schedule for operational level 1 alarm systems and operational level 2 alarm systems 212
Division 5 — Shared compliant storage
Division 6 — Giving information about operational video surveillance systems
Part 9 — Transport and commercial warehousing
Division 1 — Transporting firearms and related things
Requirements for firearms and related things in transit (Act s. 307 and 308) 215
Requirements for making arrangements with commercial carriers for transporting firearms or related things (Act s. 315) 216
Requirements for other commercial firearm transport activities (Act s. 315) 217
Requirements for sending items by post (Act s. 392 and 401) 218
Division 2 — Commercial warehousing for firearms and related things
Requirements for persons engaging commercial warehouse operators in relation to commercial firearm warehousing (Act s. 316) 219
Requirements for commercial warehouse operators in relation to commercial firearm warehousing (Act s. 316) 221
Part 10 — Firearms prohibition orders
Reinstatement of firearm authorities (Act s. 326) 223
Corresponding firearms prohibition orders (Act s. 333) 223
Part 11 — Supply, advertising and reporting
Authority for supply of firearm or related thing (Act s. 113) 224
Particulars of firearms to be included in advertisements (Act s. 389 and 390) 225
Particulars of ammunition to be included in advertisements (Act s. 389 and 390) 225
Supply of firearm or major firearm part: information to be reported (Act s. 395) 225
Exception to s. 395 of Act: Trade Licence (Act s. 395) 226
Part 12 — Miscellaneous
Division 1 — Infringement notices
Prescribed offences and modified penalties (Criminal Procedure Act 2004 s. 5) 227
Approved officers and authorised officers (Criminal Procedure Act 2004 s. 6) 227
Identification for authorised officers (Criminal Procedure Act 2004 s. 6) 227
Forms of infringement notices and withdrawal notices (Criminal Procedure Act 2004 s. 6 and 15) 227
Division 2 — Fees
Fees (Act s. 179 and 400) 228
Pro rata calculation of fee for firearm authorities granted or renewed for term other than 1, 3 or 5 years 228
Division 3 — Miscellaneous
Part 13 — Transitional provisions
Division 1 — Preliminary
Division 2 — Exemptions from training requirements for persons authorised under 1973 Act
Persons who held licence under 1973 Act exempt from training requirements under r. 224 231
Persons who will be granted replacement authority under s. 419 of Act exempt from training requirements 231
Division 3 — Storage regulations for firearms and related things held before commencement day
Storage regulations for persons possessing category A, B, C, E or H firearms before commencement day (Act s. 312) 232
Storage regulations for firearms possessed under transitional authorities and 1973 Act exemptions (Act s. 312) 233
Alternative storage requirements for persons to whom Division applies 235
Approval of storage place not required if firearm or related thing stored under transitional authority or 1973 Act exemption (Act s. 404) 236
Division 4 — Transitional authorities and 1973 Act exemptions
Terms used 237
Shooting clubs 237
Firearm ranges 240
Paintball 241
Collectors 242
Trades 243
Firearms safety training courses 244
Supply of firearm or major firearm part 244
Arrangement with commercial carrier or warehouse operator 244
Offences 244
Police powers on licensed firearm premises 245
1973 Act exemptions do not apply to prohibited persons or disqualified persons 246
Section 326 of Act applies to transitional authorities 246
Division 5 — Other matters
Schedule 1 — Prohibited ammunition
Schedule 2 — Prohibited firearms
Division 1 — Prohibited firearms
Division 2 — Prohibited firearms (cartridged)
Schedule 3 — Categories of firearms
Schedule 4 — Compliant containers
Construction of cabinet or container 257
Doors of cabinet or container 257
Locks and locking points of cabinet or container 258
Anchoring cabinets and containers weighing less than 500 kg 258
Schedule 5 — Compliant secure room requirements
Compliant secure rooms 261
Storing firearms and related things in accordance with compliant secure room requirements 262
Storing class 1 accessories and prohibited accessories in accordance with compliant secure room requirements 266
Reference to category D firearm in Schedule includes reference to uncategorised prohibited firearm 266
Sourced from the Western Australian Legislation website (legislation.wa.gov.au). Not the authorised version.
Western Australia
Firearms Act 2024
Firearms Regulations 2024
Western Australia
Firearms Regulations 2024
Contents
Part 1 — Preliminary
Citation 1
Commencement 1
Terms used 1
Part 2 — Matters for Part 1 of Act
Disqualifying offences (Act s. 5) 6
Disqualifying periods for disqualifying offences (Act s. 9) 6
Disqualifying orders and their disqualifying periods (Act s. 5 and 9) 10
Disqualifying period for membership of disqualifying organisation (Act s. 9) 11
Prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 5) 11
Prescribed paintball pellet (Act s. 5) 12
Prohibited accessory (Act s. 5) 12
Prohibited ammunition (Act s. 5) 13
Prohibited firearm (Act s. 5) 13
Method of propulsion for firearm (Act s. 6) 13
Things that are not firearms (Act s. 6) 14
Firearm categories (Act s. 8) 14
Categorisation of firearms with particular functions or devices 15
Major firearm part (Act s. 14) 16
Part 3 — Licences
Division 1 — Competition Licences
Subdivision 1 — Preliminary
Subdivision 2 — Applications and restrictions
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 17
Club letter 18
Restriction on grant of licence: member of suitable licensed firearm club (Act s. 142) 19
Restriction on grant of licence: category C firearm (Act s. 142) 19
Restriction on grant of licence: characteristics of category H firearm (Act s. 124) 20
Restriction on grant of licence: member of handgun club for particular periods for category H firearm (Act s. 142) 21
Define prohibited ammunition and prohibited firearms (Schedules 1–2), and give rules for when otherwise‑prohibited items may be permitted (e.g. high‑risk approvals under regs 187–191, Collector exceptions under reg 126).
Impose comprehensive reporting and record‑keeping obligations on licence holders, trade businesses, clubs, ranges, training providers and Government entities, with specified timeframes and penalties for non‑compliance (see regs 48, 71, 81, 181–186, 209, 238–240, 245–246 and Schedule 7 for infringement items).
Set fees and pro rata rules for licences, approvals and cards (reg 303 and Schedule 10).
(Official rationale stated in the instrument) — the regulations implement the Act’s grant, limit and condition powers and prescribe technical standards, fees and offences necessary to operationalise the Firearms Act. Many regulations explicitly invoke particular Act provisions (for example, numerous provisions refer to sections 122, 123, 124 and 142 of the Act) to extend, limit or restrict authorities.
Testing the stated purposes against costs, incentives and trade‑offs (what the text creates in practice)
Who pays: licence‑holders, businesses and permit applicants bear direct fees (Schedule 10: e.g. dealer/manufacturer fees at items 34–41), and must fund compliance costs — secure containers/safe upgrades, alarm and CCTV systems (regs 261–268, Schedule 4 and Schedule 5), record‑keeping systems and staff time to meet reporting timelines (e.g. 7‑day reporting for trade activity, regs 181–186). Where business licences are required, applicants must produce business plans and demonstrate capacity (regs 46–48, 167–168).
Who decides: the Commissioner is the central decision‑maker with extensive discretionary powers to grant, refuse, condition or exempt (many regs expressly operate under s.142 of the Act; see r. 234 for how section 142 regs operate on renewal). The Commissioner also approves exemptions to storage standards (regs 272–273) and may impose conditions or require documentary evidence about alarm/CCTV installation (reg 285).
Behavioural effects and incentives:
Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs: some regulated parties gain narrow privileges (e.g. Government entities, approved collectors, accredited trade suppliers via high‑risk approvals) while costs of enforcement, compliance and security are widely distributed across licence holders and businesses (see reg 189–191 on high‑risk approvals; Schedule 10 for fees). The regulations therefore concentrate particular permissions while diffusing administrative and security costs.
Discretion, uncertainty and implementation risk: the Commissioner’s discretion (many restrictions operate under s.142 — see r. 234) plus numerous case‑by‑case satisfaction tests (for example, suitability of premises, qualifications of trainers, historical value tests for collectors — regs 58, 61, 120–124) create implementation reliance on administrative decision‑making. That produces flexibility but also potential variability in outcomes and uncertainty for applicants.
Substitution effects and scope limits: the regulations limit certain uses in particular contexts (for example: paintball guns restricted to licensed paintball premises — reg 43; kiln guns limited to specific industrial uses — reg 105). Those limits channel lawful activity into specified licence types and premises, altering where and how particular firearm uses occur.
Enforcement and administration: large volumes of reporting (many 7‑day and 14‑day reporting obligations — e.g. regs 157, 181–186, 238) will require administrative capacity and creates many minor‑penalty infringement notice opportunities (Schedule 7 lists many infringements and modified penalties).
Summary declarations (plain):
Key reference examples in the text: storage standards (regs 261–268; Schedules 4–6), trade reporting and firearm‑technology controls (regs 181–186, 185–193), fees (reg 303 and Schedule 10), prohibited lists (Schedules 1–2), Commissioner discretion and restrictions (many regs marked “Act s. 142”, and r.234 about renewal), transitional arrangements for existing authorities (Part 13, regs 306–326).
Maximum number of firearms (Act s. 30) 24
Subdivision 3 — Minimum activity requirements
Prescribed minimum activity requirement (Act s. 32) 26
External shooting competitions 27
Reduction or waiver of prescribed minimum activity requirement (Act s. 32) 28
Condition of licence: large calibre handguns (Act s. 187) 28
Division 2 — Hunting Licences
Subdivision 1 — General
Terms used 29
Extension of authority conferred by Hunting Licence (Act s. 122) 29
Limit on authority (Act s. 123) 30
Restriction on grant of licence: no standard hunting permission (Act s. 142) 30
Applications for determination of suitability of land for hunting using firearm 30
Subdivision 2 — Hunting permissions
34A. Authorised persons (Act s. 39) 31
Types of hunting permission 32
Period for hunting permission (Act s. 39) 32
Requirement to notify Commissioner if no longer authorised person (Act s. 39) 33
Lapsing of hunting permission if person ceases to be authorised person (Act s. 39) 34
Obligation of person revoking hunting permission 34
Renewal of hunting permission (Act s. 39) 34
Giving copies of hunting permissions to Commissioner 35
Division 3 — Paintball Licences
Requirement for application for grant of licence: licensed paintball business letter 35
Limit on authority: no use other than at licensed premises (Act s. 123) 36
Division 4 — Business Licences
Subdivision 1 — Preliminary
Terms used 36
Activity that is business (Act s. 43) 36
Subdivision 2 — Matters for all Business Licences
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 37
Requirements for application for grant of licence: business plan 37
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 38
Subdivision 3 — Security Agent Business Licence
Terms used 39
Requirements for application for grant of licence 40
Record‑keeping requirements for licence: particular records 41
Conditions of licence: authorised persons for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 41
Condition of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 43
Condition of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 43
Record of completion of relevant training course 44
Limit on authority: no manufacture of ammunition (Act s. 123) 45
Subdivision 4 — Firearms Training Business Licence
Requirements for application for grant of licence 45
Restriction on grant of licence: appropriately qualified to provide firearms training (Act s. 142) 45
Subdivision 5 — Theatrical Firearm Business Licence
Terms used 46
Requirements for application for grant of licence 46
Restriction on grant of licence: replica or visual effects not suitable (Act s. 142) 47
Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 47
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 49
Application for approval for use of firearm with live ammunition under s. 50(4) of Act 50
Restriction on grant of approval for use of firearm with live ammunition under s. 50(4) of Act (Act s. 142) 51
Conditions of approval for use of firearm with live ammunition under s. 50(4) of Act (Act s. 186 and 187) 51
Subdivision 6 — Paintball Business Licence
Terms used 53
Requirements for application for grant of licence 54
Discretionary grounds for refusal to grant licence (Act s. 142) 54
Licensed premises 55
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 56
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 56
Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 58
Extension of authority for inspecting and testing of paintball gun (Act s. 122) 59
Structural and other changes to licensed premises 60
Subdivision 7 — Professional Shooter Business Licence
Term used: professional shooting service 61
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 61
Restriction on grant of licence: category E firearm (Act s. 124) 61
Restriction on grant of licence: tranquilliser gun (Act s. 142) 62
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 62
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 62
Subdivision 8 — Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence
Terms used 63
Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence (Act s. 53) 64
Firearms to which Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence applies (Act s. 124) 64
Restriction on grant of licence: category E firearms (Act s. 124) 64
Requirement for application for grant of licence 64
Restriction on grant of licence: tranquilliser gun (Act s. 142) 65
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 65
Restriction on grant of licence: category H firearm (Act s. 124) 65
Limit on authority: category H firearm (Act s. 123) 66
Requirement for application for grant of designated Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence 66
Restriction on grant of designated Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence: appropriately qualified to provide firearm safety training course (Act s. 142) 66
Extension of authority of designated Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence: firearm safety training course (Act s. 122) 67
Agriculture/aquaculture Business Licence authority for sighting in at authorised use locations (Act s. 111) 68
Subdivision 9 — Event Business Licence
Event Business Licence (Act s. 53) 68
Firearms to which Event Business Licence applies (Act s. 124) 68
Limit on authority conferred by Event Business Licence (Act s. 123) 69
Subdivision 10 — Industrial Business Licence
Term used: industrial business 69
Industrial Business Licence (Act s. 53) 70
Firearms to which Industrial Business Licence applies (Act s. 124) 70
Restriction on grant of Industrial Business Licence: category A and B firearms (Act s. 124) 70
Limit on use of category A and B firearms (Act s. 124) 70
Restriction on grant of Industrial Business Licence: category E firearms (Act s. 124) 71
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 71
Limit on authority: kiln gun (Act s. 123) 72
Industrial Business Licence authority for sighting in at authorised use locations (Act s. 111) 72
Division 5 — Primary Producer Licences
Terms used 72
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 73
Restriction on grant of licence: category E firearm (Act s. 124) 73
Restriction on grant of licence: tranquilliser gun (Act s. 142) 74
Limit on authority: prescribed paintball gun (Act s. 123) 74
Restriction on grant of licence: category H firearm (Act s. 124) 75
Limit on authority: category H firearm (Act s. 123) 75
Limit on authority: primary producer’s Hunting Licence (Act s. 123) 76
Division 6 — Collector Licences
Terms used 76
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 76
Approved society of firearm collectors letter 78
Restriction on grant of Collector Licence for firearms (Act s. 142) 78
Restriction on grant of Collector Licence for firearms: major firearm parts (Act s. 142) 79
Requirements for firearm, major firearm part or ammunition to have significant historical value (Act s. 69) 80
Requirements for firearm, major firearm part or ammunition to have significant commemorative value (Act s. 69) 81
Requirements for firearm to have significant thematic value (Act s. 69) 82
Requirements for major firearm part to have significant thematic value 83
Requirements for ammunition to have significant thematic value (Act s. 69) 84
Restriction on types of firearms and ammunition to which Collector Licence can apply (Act s. 66, 68 and 142) 85
Prohibited firearm permitted: revolving rifle (Act s. 119 and 142) 86
Extension of authority of licence: prohibited accessory for firearm (Act s. 122) 87
Record‑keeping requirements for licence: possession of ammunition 87
Division 7 — Approved society of firearm collectors
Requirement and application for approval of society of firearm collectors (Act s. 70) 88
Record‑keeping requirements for approved society of firearm collectors 89
Division 8 — Club Licences
Subdivision 1 — Preliminary
Subdivision 2 — Applications and restrictions
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 91
Relevant disciplines for licence 92
Amendment of relevant disciplines for licence 93
Restriction on grant of licence: target shooting (Act s. 142) 94
Restriction on grant of licence: category C firearm (Act s. 142) 94
Restriction on grant of licence: characteristics of category H firearm (Act s. 124) 95
Restriction on grant of licence: large calibre handgun (Act s. 124) 96
Subdivision 3 — Limit on authority and conditions
Limit on authority: use authorised for relevant discipline only (Act s. 123) 96
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 97
140A. Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 98
Competition requirement for licensed firearm club 98
Reduction or waiver of competition requirement 99
Subdivision 4 — Membership of licensed firearm club and reportable matters
Membership matters: requirements for membership of licensed firearm club (Act s. 77) 100
Membership matters: circumstances in which licensed firearm club must suspend or cancel membership (Act s. 77) 101
Reportable matters: registered shooting competitions (Act s. 375) 102
Reportable matters: manner and time within which information must be provided (Act s. 375) 103
Reportable matters: member of club not fit and proper person (Act s. 375) 103
Record‑keeping requirements for licence 103
Division 9 — Range Licences
Subdivision 1 — Preliminary
Terms used 104
Requirements for application for grant of licence: business plan 105
Subdivision 2 — Range Licences other than for shooting galleries
Application of Subdivision 106
Requirements for application for grant of licence and amendment application 106
Restriction on grant of licence: proposed plan suitable for safe operation (Act s. 142) 107
Licensed plan of shooting area for firearm range 108
Restriction on grant of licence: category C firearm (Act s. 142) 108
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 109
156A. Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 110
Subdivision 3 — Range Licences for shooting galleries
Requirements for application for grant of licence 112
Restriction on grant of licence: proposed plan suitable for safe operation and shooting area meets standards of construction (Act s. 142) 113
Licensed plan of shooting area for shooting gallery 113
Restriction on grant of licence: only particular category A firearms (Act s. 124) 114
Conditions of licence: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 114
Conditions of approval of authorised person for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 115
Interference with parts of shooting gallery 116
Reporting for licence: operation of shooting gallery 117
Division 10 — Trade Licences
Subdivision 1 — Preliminary
Subdivision 2 — Licences and approvals as authorised persons
Requirements for application for grant of licence 118
Requirements for application for grant of licence: business plan 119
Restriction on grant of Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence (Act s. 142) 120
Restriction on grant of approval of person as authorised person for Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence (Act s. 142) 121
Discretionary grounds for refusal to grant licence (Act s. 142) 122
Subdivision 3 — Minimum level of business activity and conditions of Trade Licences
Minimum level of business activity for particular Trade Licences (Act s. 90) 123
Conditions of Trade Licences: authorised persons for licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 124
Conditions of Trade Licences: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 125
Condition of Firearm Storage Licences: authorised persons (Act s. 186 and 187) 127
Conditions of Firearm Storage Licences: licensee (Act s. 186 and 187) 128
Conditions of Firearm Manufacture Licence and Firearm Dealer Licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 129
Conditions of Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence: licensee’s obligations relating to authorised apprentice (Act s. 186 and 187) 130
Condition of approval of authorised person for Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence (Act s. 186 and 187) 131
Conditions of Firearm Repair Licence or Firearm Manufacture Licence: authorised apprentice’s obligations (Act s. 186 and 187) 131
Subdivision 4 — Reporting and record‑keeping requirements
Reporting for Trade Licence: accepting possession 132
Reporting for Firearm Manufacture Licence 133
Reporting for Trade Licence: ceasing to possess 134
Reporting for Trade Licence: trade activity occurs for licensee under Trade Licence and other licence or permit 136
Records for Trade Licence: firearm technology 137
Reporting for Trade Licence: giving firearm technology 139
Subdivision 5 — Particular approvals relating to Trade Licences
Limit on high‑risk items (Act s. 89) 139
Prohibited firearms or prohibited ammunition permitted under Trade Licence if high‑risk item approval granted (Act s. 119 and 120) 140
High‑risk item approvals 141
Restriction on grant of high‑risk item approval or prohibited accessory approval (Act s. 142) 142
Restriction on grant of prohibited accessory approval: Firearm Storage Licence (Act s. 142) 143
Application for approval for creation of firearm technology for repairer or manufacturer 144
Restriction on grant of approval for firearm technology nomination approval (Act s. 142) 144
Subdivision 6 — Extension of authority
Division 11 — Government Entity
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.