Manufacturers licence resources

A Manufacturers Licence entitles the holder to manufacture firearms or ammunition of the kind specified in the licence, on the premises named and identified in the licence, and to sell and dispose of such firearms and ammunition at those premises.

• The trading address for the licence is the physical address.
• The licence entitles the holder to manufacture firearms, or ammunition for firearms, of category A, B, C, E and H. It does not permit the manufacture of category D firearms.
• It authorises the holder or an employee or partner of the holder to have in their possession and to carry in the ordinary course of the business of the manufacturer, any such firearm or ammunition and to use any such firearm or ammunition, for the purpose of testing it, or for demonstrating to a prospective purchaser.
• Section 8(1) (f) Firearms Act 1973 precludes the requirement for an employee or partner of the holder to hold a Firearm’s Licence.
• The holder must supply WA Police Force Licensing Services with a nominated persons application (PDF, 624KB) for each employee or partner who is required to possess, carry or use any such firearm or ammunition, associated with the licence.
• Each nominated person must carry at all times, their nominated persons authorisation, when in possession of any such firearm or ammunition associated with the licence.
• The Commissioner may, at any time, grant or withdraw authority, enabling Nominated Persons to possess any such firearm or ammunition associated with the licence.
• The holder must advise WA Police Force Licensing Services when a Nominated Person ceases to be an employee or partner of the holder.
• All firearms and ammunition associated with the licence must be stored as per the requirements of Section 11A Firearms Regulations 1974 and in accordance with Section 32 Firearms Act 1973.
• The holder must advise WA Police Force Licensing Services of any changes or additions to approved storage. Any changes or additions must be submitted on a Form 22 storage statement (PDF, 420KB).
• The licence is not transferable. Should the holder of the licence cease to operate, this licence will no longer be valid. The holder must notify WA Police Force Licensing Services and all firearms and ammunition associated with the licence must be disposed of lawfully.
• Section 31(2) Firearms Act 1973 requires the holder 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.
• Section 18(1)(b) Firearms Regulations 1974 requires the holder, in a permanent and legible manner, to maintain a record of all firearms and major firearms parts brought into stock on a Form 20, and to record all firearms and major firearms parts repaired and delivered on a Form 21.
• The holder shall submit both a Form 20 and Form 21 to WA Police Force Licensing Services no later than the seventh day of each month, for the preceding month, regardless if any transaction occurred (nil returns).
• 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, as per 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:

• Business plan can be found in the all resources section.
• 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 all resources section.
• Plan of premises - a plan of the premises showing the location of the storage facility within each premises.
• Handgun security policy - should you intend dealing, repairing or manufacturing handguns additional storage requirements must be met. Please refer to the ‘WA Police Force Firearms Dealers, Repairers & Manufacturers Handgun Security Policy’ which can be found in the all resources section.
• 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.
• 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 all resources section.
• 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.  
• Skillset - for a Repairers Licence you will generally require experience as a fitter, turner or machinist or similar. For a Manufacturers Licence you will generally require qualifications as a fitter, turner or machinist, or similar, and have practised in this area for a minimum of five years.
• Additional documentation - applications are treated on an individual basis and Licensing Services may require additional supporting information/documentation.
• Assessment - once all documentation has been received you will be invited to participate in a written assessment to establish your knowledge. This is a ‘closed book’ assessment.  

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

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

An application will be assessed and once completed the applicant will be required to sit an assessment (a study guide will be provided). This assessment is made up of a number of parts and includes knowledge of firearms and firearms legislation. An applicant must obtain a mark of 80% or higher in order to pass this assessment. 

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

"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. 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".

That 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. Clicks 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.

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 below.

Please note: licences relating to handguns are subject to additional storage requirements.

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 Dealers, Repairers and Manufacturers Licences 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.