Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start?
First and foremost we encourage people to 'try before they buy'. SSAA Range Officers at Springvale and Little River can assist with newcomer sessions. For further details and to reserve your spot enquire about a 'try before you buy' session at one of our shooting ranges by calling the State Office. There are also .22LR lessons available at the Springvale range which can be organised by contacting Allen Bingham on 9580 2166. A time will be arrange within the normal range hours and which is mutually convenient time for your lesson. The lesson fee includes range admittance, ammunition, targets and use of rifle and takes about two hours. You do not need a license to shoot for the first time as long as you are supervised by an individual who is licensed to use a firearm. It is recommended that instruction be taken from our qualified Range Officers.
Ok, I want to become a licensed shooter, what do I do next?
You have now tried shooting and want to be able to shoot more often and most importantly, legally. Refer to our Become a Shooter section for details on the four-step process.
How much does Firearm and Permit fees cost?
SSAA Membership - $70 per year
| Licence Category |
Duration (in years) |
Natural Person |
Body Corporate
|
| Category A |
5 |
$160.00 |
$290.00 |
| Category B |
5 |
$185.00 |
$290.00 |
| Category C |
3 |
$111.00 |
$174.00 |
| Category D |
3 |
$174.00 |
$279.00 |
| Category E |
3 |
174.00 |
$279.00 |
| General Category Handgun (Target Shooting, or prescribed reason) |
3 |
$135.00 |
$351.00
(20 f/arms or less) |
| General Category Handgun (Target Shooting, or prescribed reason) |
3 |
|
$699.00
(over 20 f/arms) |
| General Category Handgun (Security or Prison Guard of official reason) |
3 |
$210.00 |
$351.00
(20 f/arms or less) |
| General Category Handgun (Security or Prison Guard of official reason) |
3 |
|
$699.00
(over 20 f/arms) |
| Category E Handgun Licence |
3 |
$204.00 |
$309.00 |
| Junior (or until 18th birthday) |
3 |
$36.00 |
N/A |
| Firearms Collector - Category 1 |
5 |
$235.00 |
$465.00 |
| Firearms Collector Category 2 |
5 |
$280.00 |
$355.00 |
| Ammunition Collector |
5 |
$115.00 |
$235.00 |
| Heirlooms |
5 |
$115.00
|
N/A |
| Firearm Dealers Licence Dealing in Category A, B Longarms and General Category Handguns |
5 |
$1,460.00 |
$2,040.00 |
| Firearm Dealers Licence Dealing in Category A, B, C, D, E Longarms, General Category and Category E Handguns |
5 |
$2,040.00 |
$2,335.00 |
| Firearm Dealers Licence (a) only repairing Category A, B, C, D, E Longarms, General Category and Category E Handguns and related parts (b) Only selling ammunition (c) The activities referred to in (a) and (b) above |
5 |
$875.00 |
$1,165.00 |
| |
| Permit Type |
Fee |
| The fee for a permit to acquire a longarm |
$9.00 |
| The fee for a permit to acquire a handgun |
$35.00 |
| Display or theatrical amourer's permit for licenced firearm dealers |
$35.00 |
| Display permit for holder of firearms collectors licence or firearms ammunition collectors licence |
$23.00 |
| Permit for silencer or prescribed items |
$58.00 |
| Permit to use firearms held under category 1 firearm collectors licence or general category handguns held under a category 2 firearm collectors licence |
$29.00 |
| Permit under section 58A to carry or use general category handguns during probationary period |
$75.00 |
| |
| Approval Type |
|
Fee |
| Approval for handgun target shooting club |
$127.00 |
| Approval for firearms collectors club |
$127.00 |
| The fee for a duplicate licence |
|
Do I need to buy a firearm?
It is not necessary for you to have your own firearm, however Range Officers will be able to answer any questions you may have on the type of firearm to buy and perhaps suggest a suitable dealer to buy from should you wish to invest in your own firearm. The Springvale Range is able to provide firearms for use on the range.
Are juniors allowed to use firearms?
Yes. A junior must be 12 years of age or over to use firearms or apply for a firearm license. A junior can only use or carry firearms under the immediate supervision of an adult licensed person. Range officers are not able to supervise juniors. Juniors without a licence must also be accompanied by their parent/guardian.
SSAA (Vic) has a Youth Training Scheme where juniors are encouraged to participate in shooting and will learn many skills in regard to the responsible handling of firearms and proficient sport shooting. Fore more information on SSAA(Vic) Junior Program click here or contact State Office.
Am I able to get a receipt of application to progress with the firearm license application?
Yes. We can provide you with a certificate of receipt of application for membership of the SSAA in order for you to progress with your firearm license application. Please contact the State Office to do this.
What do I do with estate firearms?
Estate firearms can be held and/or carried by the Executor or Administrator of the Estate for up to six months (assuming the firearms are registered) for the purpose of disposal. However, as the Executor or Administrator of the Estate, you are responsible for notifying the Chief Commissioner of the death of the person who possessed the firearm.
Unregistered firearms must be taken to a licensed firearms dealer or police station to be disposed of OR held until they can be registered by a licence holder. If you wish to keep the firearms and you have the relevant licence, then you need to register the firearms under your name at a firearms dealer. If you wish to keep the firearms but you do not have the relevant licence then you need to get a licence before you can register them. If you wish to keep the firearms for sentimental purposes but do not wish to use them then you can apply for an heirlooms licence instead.
How do I find a specific gun club?
For a list or information on sub-clubs see the 'Sub-Clubs' section of this website or contact State Office. For other clubs try the Yellow Pages www.yellowpages.com.au, White Pages www.whitepages.com.au or Melways.
Where can I do a duck ID test?
If you are interested in sitting a duck identification test, contact State Office and we will endeavour to organise a test for you. If there is not enough interest for us to run a test we can provide details of other test providers.
How should I store or transport my firearms?
The Firearms Act 1996 - Sect 126, which can be found by clicking here, states the official requirements of a person who is carrying or using firearms. However as this is very broad we advise that when carrying your firearms, keep them unloaded, in a bag or box, which is out of sight, and secure (preferably the boot of your car), and ensure that the firearm is separate from the ammunition.
The Firearms Act 1996 - Part 6, Section 121 through to 123 states the official requirements of a person who is storing firearms under the various license classifications. This clearly states what is required for storage however if you have any further question contact the State Office or for some further information on this issue please take a look at the Victoria Police website.
What can I do with unregistered firearms?
Unregistered firearms must be taken to a licensed firearms dealer or police station to be disposed of OR held until they can be registered by a licence holder. If you already hold the required licence then the firearm simply needs to be registered under your name at a firearms dealer.
What can I do if I have an intervention order?
People who have had an intervention order placed on them are called a 'prohibited person' and are usually not allowed to hold a firearms licence for 5 years. This order may be appealed, however legal advice would be required. For further information contact your solicitor or legal aid.
How do I renew my firearms licence?
A renewal letter, application form and a Firearms Registration List will be sent to you, from the Licensing Services Branch, 8 weeks prior to the expiry date of your licence. Your application should be returned at least 21 days before the expiry of the licence to allow sufficient time for processing. If your application has not been received prior to the expiry of your licence, you must not use your firearms until a Victorian Firearms Licence Payment Notice and Interim Licence has been issued to you and a payment has been made. If your licence has expired you have 28 days from the expiry date to dispose of your firearms. Firearms can be taken to a licensed firearms dealer or surrendered to a police station. In the case that a 'new' application needs to be made there will be a 28 day waiting period. A permit to Acquire will then need to be lodged to regain ownership of the firearms.
Will an interstate licence be recognised in Victoria for both longarms and Handguns?
Section 15(2)(b)(ii) of the Firearms Act 1996 provides that persons who are, at the time of application for a General Category Handgun Licence with the reason of target shooting, the holder of a licence in another State or Territory that authorises the possession, carriage or use of handguns for the reason of target shooting, do not need to apply for a Probationary Permit and can make an application for a licence immediately. Evidence of the interstate licence must be provided at the time of application. These persons are also authorised [pursuant to s.187(2)] to posses, carry and use any handguns they were authorised to possess interstate for a period of 7 days after notifying the Chief Commissioner of Police (CCP) that they intend to permanently reside in Victoria. Furthermore, persons who apply for a General Category Handgun Licence within this 7 day period are able to continue to possess, carry or use any such handgun until the outcome of the application is determined.
For Longarms, Section 187(1) provides that persons who are the holders of a corresponding interstate Category A & B Longams licence (that has not expired) and has notified the CCP that they intend to permanently reside in Victoria are able to possess, carry or use any firearms authorised under that licence for a period of 3 months after that notification is given. For Category C or D longarms, the above 7 day notification procedure for general category handguns also applies.
In both circumstances, the mandatory 28 day cooling off period for all new licences still applies. It should be noted that the interstate licence must not lapse during the transition period (in which case firearms must be transferred to the LFD and Permit To Acquire would be required).
What is the minimum size for a property to be accepted as a genuine reason for hunting?
In relation to property size to determine a genuine reason for hunting, the minimum is 5 acres
Does the SSAA have a form that I can send to the Victorian Firearms Registry that property owners can fill out to give me permission to hunt on their property?
Yes. Click here to print off the form and then get the property owner to fill it out for you. You will need to send this in with your licence renewal or application. .
Please note information correct at time of publication.