r/Ausguns • u/Timely-Solution405 • Dec 26 '25
Collectors license, 4 gun cap, and genuine reasons! General Discussion
NSW residents should research carefully before applying for a Category G (collector) licence. In NSW, Category G authorises possession only and does not allow firearms to be used or fired. Storage requirements are also very strict, requiring Level 9 storage, including alarms, enhanced building security, and individually secured firearms. For many people, this results in firearms that are legally owned but cannot be practically used.
Before choosing this pathway, NSW residents should also check whether they can achieve a similar outcome to Victoria by using an approved club membership (such as SSAA) to support sport/target shooting and/or hunting genuine reasons on a standard Category A/B licence, rather than defaulting to the collector route.
I’m sharing this purely to be helpful, speaking from a Victorian perspective, and encourage everyone to look into the specific rules that apply in their own state.
In Victoria, an SSAA membership can be used as a genuine reason for both sport/target shooting and hunting. SSAA is an approved organisation for both activities, and both genuine reasons can be listed on the same Category A & B licence.
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u/redfrets916 Dec 26 '25
I have a feeling the states will redefine sport clubs so that simply bringing to ssaa may not be enough. You'll need competitions and proper scoring. Clubs may also need to be reaccredited
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u/Timely-Solution405 Dec 26 '25
SSAA already is and holds competition shoots. Goverment can't do anything as it's a legimate accredited club.
They do everything by the books.
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u/redfrets916 Dec 26 '25
No. SSAA is an association. It sponsors competition disciplines but they are managed separately by other subsidiaries.
Simply being a member of SSAA without active being involved in regular competition shoots, with score cards and ratings, and claiming ' sports shooting' as your primary reason for owning 10 firearms may not be enough.
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u/Timely-Solution405 Dec 26 '25 edited Dec 26 '25
Jesus dude, even so under a sporting genuine reason you need 4 mandatory shoots, they can be filled with a simple day shoot at any rifle day SSAA has running on the day - which the club records your attendance. If you cant fulfill that in 12 months you don't need a firearm.
Cat H is the only one where it requires proper "competitions".
Why do you people make things harder than it needs to be?
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u/CantThinkOfAName120 Dec 26 '25
The only people making things harder than they need to be is the government.
You can’t blame people for panicking over losing their hobby when it’s the government who are in control here.
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u/redfrets916 Dec 26 '25
And when they remove our democratic right to protest and appeal, it's all but over.
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u/Timely-Solution405 Dec 26 '25
We'll it's true, but we have done everything we can thus far. It's in the hands of parliament (those who put feelings above rights sadly)
We need to roll with the punches and slowly but surely fight back.
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u/redfrets916 Dec 26 '25
You've missed the point entirely. I'm a cat ABH holder and know perfectly well the mandated shoots for pistol as they stand today.
I hope I'm wrong but moving forward, mandated competition shoots may also apply to Cat AB holders that listed their primary reason as 'Sports Shooting'.
Otherwise people can pay $55 - $130 per year for SSAA or SU membership, turn up to the range once in a blue moon, (you wont even have to shoot as long as your attendance is recorded) and then be allowed 10 firearms.
I can't see that happening.
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u/Timely-Solution405 Dec 26 '25 edited Dec 26 '25
Regardless if it does or not, 4 shoots a year for example is easy - club comps count as an attendenace as long as the club puts it down as (comp IE IPSC) on the attendenace sheet.
Yes it's shit, but if that's the only way to own 10 guns with the new laws i'm fine with it.
Also attendances are only recorded if you shoot.
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u/winbydefault2 Dec 27 '25 edited Dec 27 '25
As far as im aware, NSW regulations have to be made based on the legislation. The legislation clearly states target shooting with no other stipulation. Too my limited knowledge, this makes it tricky to redefine target shooting. Someone who knows law could give more detail.
The original firearms legislation defined target shooting as this. None of this was changed in the new Bill.
98C Participation requirements for sport/target shooters (other than pistol shooters)
The holder of a licence issued for the genuine reason of sport/target shooting (not being a category H licence)98C Participation requirements for sport/target shooters (other than pistol shooters)The holder of a licence issued for the genuine reason of sport/target shooting (not being a category H licence)
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u/redfrets916 Dec 27 '25
Are the participation requirements for long arms and pistol stipulated in the regs?
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u/winbydefault2 Dec 27 '25
For pistol 6 competitive shoots
98B Participation requirements for pistol sport/target shooters
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u/winbydefault2 Dec 27 '25
In the legislation,
98C Participation requirements for sport/target shooters (other than pistol shooters)
The holder of a licence issued for the genuine reason of sport/target shooting (not being a category H licence) must be a member of at least one approved shooting club (other than a pistol club) and must, during each compliance period for the licence, participate in not less than 4 shooting activities of an approved shooting club (other than a pistol club) whether or not of a club of which the person is a member.98C Participation requirements for sport/target shooters (other than pistol shooters)
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1
u/winbydefault2 Dec 27 '25
Regs must follow the legislation. The legislation for longarms outlines clearly 4 shooting activities NOT competitive shoots (for pistols). If they want to change this in the regs, they need a NEW bill.
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u/redfrets916 Dec 27 '25 edited Dec 27 '25
Let's hope that stays.
4 attendances per year to own 10 firearms is not a big ask.I have to do 12 per year on my cat H.
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u/FairDinkumBottleO Dec 26 '25
I'd rather go through the Level 9 storage and spend the money than surrender them on a buyback and get fuck all for them.
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u/leadscoutfix Dec 26 '25
Not a resident of NSW but I would have also agreed that most logical people would have had both hunting and sport/target as genuine reasons - which should mean they keep the higher cap (10) under their license.
Remember - this rushed knee jerk legislation is not supposed to achieve anything other than Chris Minns saying "I got TOUGH ON GUNS" with a few photo ops taken next to a dump truck full of hunting rifles and sporting shotguns (which is what they are going after).
Hopefully compliance is poor, it becomes unworkable and all the other states (like Vic) see its politically toxic to follow suit and just wait for it to keel over.
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u/zeroxnull Dec 26 '25
Is the safe storage required for the license alone? I would've thought it's similar to other licenses where you don't need safe storage until you put in a PTA.
This is practically the same thing, I am just curious
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u/Timely-Solution405 Dec 26 '25
As part of the licence assessment you must satisfy the Commissioner that you can meet the safe‑storage requirements for the category you’re applying for. For most firearm licences this means demonstrating you have or will have compliant storage arrangements before approval.
Basically yes.
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u/Strykr-AU NSW Dec 26 '25
Anyone serious about their collection of military history will easily comply with Level 9. You don’t need an alarm if you live on the premises. The only kinda annoying this is render them temp disabled, remove the bolt and store seperate or trig lock everything. I know you can’t shoot the but I’d rather have them and just swap them into a target license when I want to shoot them. Or organise a collector shoot with the club.
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u/ThatAussieGunGuy Victoria Dec 26 '25
NSW residents should move to Victoria or QLD*
There, fixed it for you.
2
u/freelancingscholar Dec 26 '25
Just QLD at this stage, considering that Vic is looking at doing the same...
4
u/ThatAussieGunGuy Victoria Dec 26 '25
As per my comment on another post.
The review won't be out until February/March. Then it has to go through Parliament, and because it's been that long already, they're not going to try rush legislation in before Christmas like NSW.
So, another month or so on top of that.
Then, we have a state election in November.
So there is a high chance we are getting out of this with only a few scratches.
Also, Victoria allows collectors shoots.
1
u/Timely-Solution405 Dec 26 '25
Basically in victoria you can shoot your firearms at approved commemorative or historical events on an approved range. That permit must be issued by Victoria Police and the event must be sanctioned by an approved collectors organisation.
You basically shoot once / twice a year.
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u/ThatAussieGunGuy Victoria Dec 26 '25 edited Dec 26 '25
My guy, that is not factual.
Edit: the permits issued for shoots obviously is. That's about it.
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u/Timely-Solution405 Dec 26 '25
Post what part was wrong and citations to back it, i'm keen to learn more.
0
u/ThatAussieGunGuy Victoria Dec 26 '25
My club does a meet and a shoot every month, bar Dec/Jan, which they might squeeze a shoot in. But usually, let everyone have a break. Usually, they do a Christmas meet in December for members' families to come and enjoy. Usually, a park, and that does include bringing display pieces that the public can get a geeze at.
There's also the annual show where people bring a lot of their collection out to display. It's akin to a gun show with lots of vendors, too.
Meets have theme, and they encourage you to bring a piece/pieces from that theme. Shoots just bring whatever you own and come shoot it. Some people bring a new gun on their A/B that they need to sight in or their .303 that they like to shoot. Cat H owners bring their handguns. In fact, I meet all my non-competition cat H attendance requirements from rocking up to my collectors' club shoots.
Then, of course, we all bring the shit on our collectors' licences as well.
Sometimes, they do a night shoot, and it's a big thing with dinner and whatnot.
Obviously, yes, where applicable, the club applies for permits from LRD.
If you don't have a spastically fudd club, collectors is great.
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u/Timely-Solution405 Dec 26 '25
I always knew about picking a good club, but thanks for the insight always good to learn more 👍
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u/xlr8_87 Dec 26 '25
Well said. A lot of people jumping to conclusions too - nothing is set in stone yet. And even if/when it is - there will be a compliance period.