Corporate Licence resources

A Corporate Licence entitles the organisation to possess firearms named and identified in that licence, together with ammunition, for the purposes provided in the original Corporate Licence application.

• It authorises the organisation to permit any person who is an employee an agent or a person acting at the request of and on behalf of the organisation, to possess, carry or use a firearm or ammunition in accordance with the licence.
• The organisation shall appoint one person as the ‘point of contact’ for all correspondence relating to the Corporate Licence. This person will be the authorised person to make any changes or to add additional firearms to the Corporate Licence. The organisation must advise WA Police Force Licensing Services should there be any changes to the ‘point of contact’.
• Section 8(1) (f) Firearms Act 1973 allows a person permitted by the organisation to possess, carry or use a firearm or ammunition, for organisation related purposes without the requirement to hold a personal Firearms Licence.
• The organisation must supply WA Police Force Licensing Services with a Nominated Person’s Application for each person who is required to possess, carry or use any such firearm or ammunition, associated with this licence.
• Each Nominated Person must carry, their Nominated Persons Authorisation at all times when in possession of any such firearm or ammunition associated with the licence.
• The Commissioner may at any time grant or withdraw authority for the Nominated Person to possess any such firearm or ammunition, associated with the licence.
• The organisation must advise WA Police Force Licensing Services when a Nominated Person ceases to be an employee, agent or person acting at the request of and on behalf of the organisation.
• All firearms and ammunition associated with the licence must be stored as per the requirements of Section 11(A) Firearms Regulations 1974.
• The organisation must advise WA Police Force Licensing Services should there be any changes or additions to approved storage. Any changes or additions must be submitted on a Form 22 Storage Statement.
• The licence is not transferable. Should the organisation cease to operate the licence will no longer be valid. The organisation must notify Licensing Services and all firearms and ammunition associated with the licence must be disposed of lawfully.
• Section 31(2) Firearms Act 1973 requires the organisation to compile, maintain and furnish records in such a manner as is prescribed. All entries therein shall be made at the time of the transaction to which they relate or, as soon as may be practicable thereafter and any such record shall be produced for inspection by any member of the WA Police Force on their request.
• An adequate record of all firearms movements must be maintained. This record must, as a minimum, include details of the firearm, Nominated Person carrying or using the firearm and the date and times the firearm was carried or used.
• Regular audits must be conducted of all firearms held on the Corporate Licence and a record of each audit retained. The audit record must include, as a minimum, the date of the audit and the firearm make, serial number and calibre. Should any firearms be identified as lost or stolen they are to be immediately reported to Police.
• A person, whether or not the holder of the licence, who commits a breach of, or fails to observe a restriction, limitation or condition of the licence, and who is a person who ought reasonably to have known of any such restriction, limitation or condition, commits an offence under Section 21(2) Firearms Act 1973.

Each application is assessed on an individual basis and as such, owing to numerous variables, there may be different requirements dependent on the reason for the licence.

Generally, the following will be required and must be submitted with an application at a WA Australia Post outlet:

• Business Plan can be found in the Resources section below.
• Authority Letter - An ‘Authority Letter’ is an official business, company or organisation letter nominating one person as the ‘point of contact’ for all matters pertaining to the firearms application and associated licence, and that this person is authorised to act on behalf of the business, company or organisation.
• Form 22 Storage Statement - A minimum of one storage location must be provided, additional storage locations may be added as required. Photographs must be included with the declaration. It is recommended that photographs are added to a ‘Word’ document and a brief description is provided for each. This form can be found in the Resources section below.
• Plan of Premises - A plan of the premises showing the location of the storage facility within each premises.
• Local Government Authority Approval (Shire Approval) - Applicants must provide a letter (email is sufficient) from their local Government Authority that contains a notation to the effect that they have no objection to firearms being stored at the premises in question OR if a Firearms Dealer, Repairer or Manufacturer, that they have no objection to the applicant trading, repairing or manufacturing firearms at those premises.
• Genuine Reason and/or Need - A genuine reason and/or need must be provided for each firearm.
• Nominated Persons - A Nominated Persons application is required for each person who will have access to or use of the firearms and/or ammunition. This includes the holder of the licence. This form can be found in the Resources section below.
• Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASICs) Business Extract or Certificate of Incorporation - A full extract that details those involved in the business is required. A Certificate of Incorporation (or similar) may be provided for those organisations that are not registered with ASICs.
• Firearms Serviceability Certificate - A certificate is required for each firearm to be licensed.  
• Supporting Contracts - Depending on the type of use, evidence to support the necessity for the firearm/s may be required. This can be in the form of a ‘letter of intent’ or an official contract.
• Security Agents Licence - Required when the firearms are required for security industry use.
• Additional Documentation - Applications are treated on an individual basis and Licensing Services may require additional supporting information/documentation.

Applicants should retain copies of all documents prior to submission of the application with Australia Post.

Once an application has been received by Western Australia Police Force an applicant will be advised should additional documentation be required.

The provisions of section 11A (1) Firearms Regulations 1974 apply in respect of security storage.

The part of the regulation that refers to "in such other way as is approved" relates to specific situations where circumstances dictate that another form of security, in the opinion of the Commissioner’s delegated officer at the Licensing Enforcement Division, satisfies the criteria by providing secure storage.

Reference is also made to specific matters related to keys left in the cabinet, ammunition storage and method of fixing the cabinet or container to two immovable surfaces.

It is a requirement that an applicant for the issue of a licence or permit provide supporting advice. Click the links or refer to Form 22 Storage Statement (PDF, 220KB) and Form 22 Storage Statement Example (PDF, 1.1MB).

Propellant and Black Powder Storage

Storage of Black powder falls under the Department of Mines and Petroleum. All inquiries should be referred to the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

Storage Security Requirements (Sch. 4)

• Firearms and ammunition are to be stored in a locked cabinet or container that at least meets the specifications described in Schedule 4 or in such other way as is approved.
• A cabinet or container that can be unlocked with a key is to be regarded as unlocked if the key is left in the lock or is otherwise accessible where the cabinet or container is located.
• A magazine is not to contain any ammunition when it is stored.
• Ammunition is not to be stored in a cabinet or container in which a firearm is stored unless the ammunition is in another locked metal container in which no firearm is stored and which is securely affixed so as to prevent its removal from the cabinet or container.
• The requirements of this regulation are in addition to, not instead of, any requirements under the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004.

Construction

• Specifications for storage cabinets or containers.
• The cabinet or container is to be constructed of mild steel that is 2 mm thick.
• A joint between 2 faces that is butt welded is to have a continuous weld along the full length of the joint.
• A joint where the edge of one face is folded over the edge of another face is to be stitch welded, with welds of at least 20 mm in length at intervals of not more than 100 mm between welds.
• Spot welding is not to be used on the joints between faces.
• The cabinet or container is to be so designed that no firearm or ammunition within it can be removed from it while it is locked.
• In this clause: 'face' means a side, the top, or the bottom, of the cabinet or container.

Doors

• Doors are to be recessed into the surrounding frame with margins of not more than 4 mm.
• Each edge of the door and door frame is to be internally supported and have a return of at least 10 mm.
• The cabinet or container is to have an internal stop of at least 10 mm against which each edge of the door, other than the hinged edge, closes.
• The supports and stops required by sub clauses (2) and (3) are to be welded at the corners.

Hinging Mechanisms

• Hinge protection is to be provided in such a way that, if the hinges are removed, the door of the cabinet or container remains in place and locked.
• If the hinged edge of the door is not longer than 1 metre, 2 hinges are required on it, and if it is longer than 1 metre, an additional hinge is required for each additional 500 mm or part thereof.
• If 2 hinges are required, the distance between them is to be not less than one-third of the length of the hinged edge.
• If more than 2 hinges are required the distance between adjacent hinges is to be the same and that is also to be the distance from each of the outermost hinges to the nearest end of the hinged edge.
• If a spindle is used instead of hinges, it is to extend the full length of the hinged edge of the door and is to be attached to the door by welds the number and placement of which comply with the requirements of sub clauses (2), (3), and (4) for the number and placement of hinges.
• If, instead of using hinges, the door swings on a spindle or on pivots not extending the full length of the hinged edge of the door, the cabinet or container is to incorporate a return protecting the hinged edge, along its full length, against the use of a jemmy.

Locks and Locking Points

• If the swinging edge of the door is not longer than 500 mm, one lock is required with a locking point half way along that edge.
• If the swinging edge is longer than 500 mm but not longer than 1.5 metres:
  a) 2 locks are required each with a separate locking point along the swinging edge; and
  b) the distance between the 2 locking points is to be not less than one-third of the length of the swinging edge.
• If the swinging edge is longer than 1.5 metres:
  a) for each additional 500 mm or part thereof there is to be an additional lock with a separate locking point along the swinging edge; and
  b) the distance between adjacent locking points is to be the same and that is also to be the distance from each of the outermost locking points to the nearest end of the swinging edge.
• It is sufficient compliance with sub clause (2) if, when the swinging edge is longer than 500 mm but not longer than 1.5 metres, there is one lock with at least 3 separate locking points.
• Each lock is to have a 5 pin mechanism that deadlocks the bolt in the locked position until it is properly unlocked.
• If the locking bolt is designed to be released by a handle or lever, the design is to be such that, if the handle or lever is forcibly removed while the door is locked, the bolt remains in the locked position.
• The cabinet or container is to be fitted with a protective structure to guard against the forcible removal of any lock.
• In this clause: "locking point" means the point at which the bolt locks the door to the cabinet or container, preventing the door from opening; "swinging edge" means the edge of the door opposite the hinged edge.

Anchoring

• The cabinet or container is to be securely anchored from the inside at 2 points on each of 2 separate surfaces to 2 immovable structural surfaces by means of 8 mm x 75 mm masonry fixing bolts or coach screws, as is appropriate.
• At each anchor point the cabinet or container is to be reinforced with a 40 mm x 40 mm x 2 mm metal plate, or a 40 mm x 2 mm metal washer, fitted between the surface of the cabinet or container and the head of the bolt or coach screw.

[Schedule 4 inserted in Gazette 6 Dec 1996 p. 6847-9.]

Statutory Declaration

Under the Firearms Regulations 1974 11A (1),

"a person entitled to possess firearms or ammunition of any kind is to ensure that the firearms or ammunition are stored in accordance with this regulation".

In compliance with this regulation, a Firearms Licence applicant is required to submit a statement detailing their proposed storage facilities to the WA Police Force.

The Form 22 Storage Statement will form as part of the Firearms Licence application process and the Storage Statement is to be provided on request prior to finalisation of the licence assessment. (See 11A and 11C of the Firearms Regulations 1974).

Failure to comply would result in refusal and/or revocation of Firearms Licences.

Please note: The Form 22 Storage Statement is to include supporting evidence that adequate and safe storage had been installed i.e. receipt from installer and/or photograph of the cabinet in situ with anchoring and/or fixing points.

More information on specifications for storage cabinets or containers is in Schedule 4 Firearms Regulations 1974 which can be found in the related information section.

You can check the licence expiry date or application status by clicking on the Check Licence Expiry Date or Application Status button on the Apply for Corporate and Shooting Gallery Licenses page.

Please enter your details as recorded on your application or licence.

Please note: Your firearms licence has eight (8) digits. If you have an existing firearms licence with seven (7) digits, when entering your details in the Public Portal, please include a zero (0) at the start of the licence number.

Your application number is found on your hard copy receipt from Australia Post.