Making an application - frequently asked questions

If you are applying for an Original Firearms Licence and your application is declined, you may be entitled to a partial refund of the original payment. Each circumstance will be individually assessed and all requests need to be submitted in writing by post or email via the Contact Us form below.

Please note: There is no legal requirement to refund application payments. Police have carried out an investigation on the applicant and assessment of the application and are entitled to payment for the time involved to assess. The reason for any decline or refusal to issue a licence will be provided in writing to the applicant.

You must be able to justify why you need an additional firearm of similar calibre/capability if you already have one on your licence. Section 11A (3) Firearms Act 1973 states:

“A person does not have a genuine reason for acquiring or possessing a firearm or ammunition of a particular kind unless the Commissioner is satisfied not only as to the person’s reason for acquiring or possessing a firearm or ammunition but also that the particular kind of firearm or ammunition can be reasonably justified.”

No. Licensing Services does not expedite or fast track applications. Each application is different and therefore processed accordingly.

Categories A and B can be submitted on one application. Categories C, H and E applications are required to be submitted separately. Each application will incur a separate fee. Category D firearms are prohibited and not licensable in WA.

No. Newly approved licences are printed and mailed by an external printing agency on behalf of Licensing Services.

Licences are printed on a secure paper stock and can therefore not be emailed.

No. There are varying types of licences and each time an application is made it is for a specific licence type. The varying licence types allow for possession of firearms under separate circumstances. You must complete a separate application for each licence type.

You do not need to provide a new Firearms Safety Awareness Certificate for an Additional application.

If an application is for the purpose of recreational hunting and shooting, Section 11A(2)(c) Firearms Act 1973 sets out the requirement for the applicant to provide written permission from a property owner to satisfy the genuine reason for an applicant to use a firearm on the property owner’s property.  

If the applicant is the owner of a suitable property for the category of firearm being sought then the property letter is still required in order to verify details provided.

The Property Letter form can be found in the Resources section of the Firearms Licence page.

There is no set period. We endeavour to complete all licence applications in a timely manner.

Applications for an Original Firearm Licence require a 28-day cooling off period before a firearm licence can be issued. This is a legislative requirement.

You will receive correspondence from Licensing Services during or after the 28-day period requesting further information. This normally consists of a request for storage documents plus a declaration of your intent to continue with the application.

You will be given a further 28 days in which to provide this information. [Refer to Section 18 (6a) Firearms Act 1973]

Please note: Legislation dictates that your application can not proceed if you fail to supply any information requested by Licensing Services within the specified 28 days or any other additional time period as allowed.  

Under Section 10 of Firearms Act 1973 the minimum age for the issue of a licence or permit in Western Australia is 18.

A licence will not be issued to a person under the age of 18 years.

The Firearms Awareness Certificate is designed to ensure you understand the basic requirements for the safe handling of firearms.

If your application is for a first-time issue (Original Firearm Licence) you must complete a Firearm Awareness Test.

The test and supporting information are available through firearm dealers or other authorised persons of approved firearm clubs or associations. Persons who live in remote WA can contact the local Multi-Function Police Facility (MFPF).

A Firearms Awareness Certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

A Firearm Serviceability Certificate is required for each firearm subject of an application to ensure compliance with Sections 12 and 18(5) Firearms Act 1973 and Regulation 24 Firearms Regulations 1974.

Certificates can only be issued by participating firearm dealers, repairers, manufacturers or clubs/associations. Persons who live in remote WA can contact the local Multi-Function Police Facility (MFPF).

It is the responsibility of the person licensing the firearm to obtain the Serviceability Certificate. The Serviceability Certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

There are 8 firearm application types and these types are based on the purpose for which the firearm is sought by a person or business.

1. Firearm - Recreational hunting and shooting, primary production, club or sport shooting
2. Collectors - Firearms for part of a collection being either Historical, Commemorative, Thematic or Heirloom.
3. Corporate - Business licence, for licences such as shires, animal welfare agencies, government organisations.
4. Dealers - Businesses permitted to trade in firearms and or ammunition.
5. Repairers - Businesses permitted to repair firearms to Western Australian safety standards.
6. Manufacturers - Businesses permitted to manufacture firearms in accordance with Western Australian legislative requirements.
7. Ammunition Collectors - To collect but not use varying types of ammunition.
8. Shooting Gallery - To allow the licensee to conduct gallery events at shows and carnivals.

[Refer to Section 16 Firearms Act 1973]

There are 6 main Categories of firearm’s: Those being Category A, B, C, D, E and H.

These categories of firearms are applied for depending on the need and reason for the firearm and are applied for as part of one of the above application types.

Please note: Certain licence types are restricted with the calibre of firearm that is permitted
[refer to Schedule 3 — Categories of firearms, Firearms Regulations 1974 for full list and Restrictions].

It is at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police if an applicant is a fit and proper person to own a firearm.

Every application is subject to a probity check and each application is treated on its own merits. 
[Refer to Section 11 Firearms Act 1973].

All convictions must be declared, including any offences committed in another jurisdiction (including overseas).

Traffic infringements or parking infringements do not have to be declared.