The NSW Government has confirmed that the NSW phase of the National Gun Buyback Scheme will commence on 2 November 2026. FGA is monitoring implementation closely. Important details are still being developed, so members should remain compliant with current requirements and avoid making irreversible decisions based on speculation or incomplete information.

Key dates

24 December 2025: PTA limits commenced

For Permit to Acquire applications, NSW Police currently applies:

• Up to 10 firearms for sport/target shooting, vertebrate pest animal control and certain other genuine reasons.
• Up to 4 firearms for other licence holders, including recreational hunting/vermin control.
• No numerical limit for dealers and collectors.

For sport/target shooters, legislation allows the Commissioner to approve more than 10 firearms in accordance with regulations. Those regulations are still being developed.

NSW Police also states there is no immediate seizure of firearms from existing licence holders who are currently above the new limits.

1 July 2026: licence changes commenced

• New firearm licences are issued for a maximum of two years.
• Licence holders renewing must provide evidence to re-establish their genuine reason.
• Existing five-year licences continue for their approved term.

2 November 2026: Phase 1 buyback commences

Published fixed payments include:

• Centrefire rifle: $1,000.
• Rimfire rifle: $600.
• Double-barrel shotgun: $850.
• Single-barrel shotgun: $650.
• Air rifle: $450.
• Revolver: $1,000.
• Semi-automatic handgun: $850.

These are fixed payments and may not reflect the individual market value of particular firearms. FGA considers fair and transparent compensation arrangements an important issue for affected members.

The NSW Government says the scheme is expected initially to run for 12 months. Members should not assume this means November 2027 is the legal compliance deadline for every affected firearm.

Early 2027: Phase 2 expected

A valuation pathway is expected for eligible firearms with an indicative value above $3,000, with compensation capped at $10,000 per firearm. Further details are still to be published.

What members should do now

• Check your licence, genuine reasons and registered firearms against requirements already in force.
• Be aware that the current 4 or 10 firearm limits apply to new PTA applications.
• Retain receipts, valuations, photographs and records for firearms that may be affected.
• Do not assume that being above a future limit means you must surrender firearms immediately.
• Do not rely on the March 2027 NSW election, November 2027, or dates circulating online as legal deadlines unless confirmed by NSW Police or legislation.
• Watch for further FGA advice before making irreversible decisions where regulations, transition arrangements or compensation details remain outstanding.

FGA will continue to advocate for clear, workable arrangements and fair compensation for law-abiding firearm owners, and will update members as further rules and implementation dates are released.

Official sources

• NSW Government: National Gun Buyback Scheme
• NSW Police: firearms law changes and current requirements
• Australian Government: National Gun Buyback Scheme

Information current at 4 September 2026.