Issue
From 1 July 2026, important changes apply in NSW to firearm licence holders who are applying for a Permit to Acquire a firearm, commonly referred to as a PTA.
The practical effect is clear: a PTA will not be issued unless the Commissioner of Police is satisfied that the applicant meets the relevant safe storage and safety requirements for the firearm being acquired. NSW Police have confirmed that the Gun Safe PTA process will check whether there is a valid safe storage inspection linked to the nominated storage address. If not, the applicant may need to provide a safe storage inspection event number before the PTA application can proceed.^1
For firearm licence holders in the Tweed and Byron Shire LGAs, NSW Police have advised that safe storage inspection requests should be directed to the Tweed/Byron Police District process.
What has changed?
The reforms form part of the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW). The Act amended the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW), including the rules around permits to acquire firearms.^2
From 1 July 2026, the key changes include:
- PTA safe storage requirements
A PTA must not be issued unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant will meet the relevant safe storage and safety requirements.^3 - Safe storage inspection requirements
NSW Police state that if a safe storage inspection is required, it must relate to the applicant’s nominated storage address, have a satisfactory result, and meet or exceed the safe storage level required for the firearm being acquired.^4 - PTA applications may not be submitted without confirmation
NSW Police state that PTA applications cannot be submitted unless a valid safe storage inspection is confirmed.^5 - Shorter firearm licence terms
Firearm licences can now only be issued for a maximum of 2 years, rather than 5 years. Existing licences issued before 1 July 2026 remain valid until their expiry.^6 - Additional terrorism-related eligibility checks
A PTA must not be issued unless the Commissioner is satisfied, to the Commissioner’s knowledge, that the applicant has not been investigated for terrorism-related offences or association with a prescribed terrorist organisation, and is not an associate of or residing with a person who has been investigated for those matters.^7 - Stronger identity verification requirements
Identity verification is now a mandatory pre-condition for licence and permit applications, including renewals.^8
What this means for PTA applicants
The PTA process is no longer simply about holding the correct category of firearm licence and applying online.
Applicants may now need to show that their safe storage arrangements are compliant before the PTA can be approved. NSW Police have stated that the Gun Safe application process will check whether there is a valid inspection linked to the nominated safe storage address. If no valid inspection is identified, the applicant may be required to provide a safe storage inspection event number.^9
This matters because the safe storage inspection must be linked to the correct address and must meet the required level for the firearm being acquired. A prior inspection may not be enough if it does not relate to the nominated address, did not pass, or does not meet the required storage level for the firearm category.^10
Safe storage obligations in NSW
Safe storage has always been a serious obligation under NSW firearm law.
NSW Police state that firearms legislation requires any person who possesses a firearm to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the firearm:
- is kept safe;
- is not lost or stolen; and
- does not come into the possession of a person who is not authorised to possess it.^11
Different categories of firearms require different levels of safe storage. NSW Police identifies different safe storage levels for Category A and B firearms, Category C, D and H firearms, firearms dealers, security firms, collectors, and prohibited firearms.^12
The new PTA process places safe storage compliance at the front end. That means a licence holder may be unable to acquire a firearm unless the storage position is already compliant and able to be verified.
Why this is important
Firearm regulation in NSW is strict. Possession and use of firearms is treated as a privilege subject to public safety controls. The Firearms Act 1996 (NSW) expressly provides that one of its underlying principles is to confirm firearm possession and use as a privilege conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety.^13
For licence holders, the risk is not limited to delay in obtaining a PTA. Non-compliance with safe storage obligations may also expose a person to:
- refusal of a PTA;
- refusal, suspension, or revocation of a firearm licence;
- seizure of firearms;
- investigation by police;
- criminal charges, depending on the circumstances.
From a practical legal perspective, licence holders should be careful when communicating with police about firearm storage. What may appear to be an informal explanation can become relevant to a licensing decision or later police action.
Practical steps for firearm licence holders
Firearm licence holders should now review their position before applying for a PTA.
That includes checking:
- whether the nominated safe storage address is current;
- whether the storage arrangement meets the required level for the firearm category;
- whether there has been a recent satisfactory inspection;
- whether the inspection event number is available;
- whether the firearm being acquired would exceed the permitted firearm limit;
- whether all licence, identity, and contact details are up to date in the NSW Police Community Portal.
NSW Police state that if a person has had a recent inspection but does not know the event number, they can contact the Firearms Registry or submit a customer enquiry through Gun Safe.^14
Tweed and Byron Shire licence holders
The public notice issued by the Tweed/Byron Police District advises that firearm licence holders in the Tweed and Byron Shire LGAs who require a safe storage inspection to support a PTA application must submit a Request a Safe Storage Inspection to NSW Police Force – Tweed/Byron Police District.
This local process is significant. Licence holders should not assume that a PTA application will progress without first dealing with any required inspection process.
Conclusion
The 1 July 2026 reforms make safe storage compliance a central part of the PTA process in NSW.
For firearm licence holders, the practical message is simple: before applying for a PTA, make sure your storage is compliant, current, inspected if required, and properly recorded.
If police contact you about firearm storage, licensing, possession, or compliance, obtain legal advice before making admissions or providing detailed explanations. Firearm matters are technical, and small factual details can have serious consequences.
Disclaimer
This article is general information only. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as advice about your individual circumstances. Firearm law is technical and fact-specific. If you are concerned about a firearm licence, PTA application, safe storage inspection, police contact, or possible prosecution, you should obtain legal advice from a solicitor.
Sources
^1 NSW Police Force, Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 – Permit to Acquire requirements, stating that from 1 July 2026 a PTA must not be issued unless the Commissioner is satisfied the applicant will meet applicable safe storage and safety requirements, and that PTA applications cannot be submitted unless a valid safe storage inspection is confirmed.
^2 Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW), Schedule 2, amendment of the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW).
^3 Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW), Schedule 2[23], amending s 31 of the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW).
^4 NSW Police Force, Frequently Asked Questions – Permit to Acquire, safe storage inspection requirements.
^5 NSW Police Force, Frequently Asked Questions – Permit to Acquire, stating that a PTA application cannot be submitted unless a valid safe storage inspection is confirmed.
^6 NSW Government, Next phase of firearms reforms take effect, published 1 July 2026; NSW Police Force, Firearm licence terms.
^7 NSW Police Force, Terrorism-related checks; Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW), Schedule 2[23].
^8 NSW Police Force, Identity verification requirements; NSW Government, Next phase of firearms reforms take effect.
^9 NSW Police Force, Frequently Asked Questions – Permit to Acquire, safe storage inspection event number process.
^10 NSW Police Force, Frequently Asked Questions – Permit to Acquire, inspection outcome and address requirements.
^11 NSW Police Force, Safe Storage, general safe keeping obligations.
^12 NSW Police Force, Safe Storage, listing different safe storage levels and resources.
^13 Firearms Act 1996 (NSW), s 3, principles and objects of the Act.
^14 NSW Police Force, Frequently Asked Questions – Permit to Acquire, process for obtaining a safe storage inspection event number.
