Range Officer Course

Range Officers are a vital part of all SSAA Victoria ranges. With the primary function of ensuring safety and compliance with the range rules, it is a role that must be maintained to ensure the highest level of safety is met. It is a SSAA Victoria policy that all ranges have a qualified Range Officer in attendance at all times when in operation.

All ranges across Victoria welcome SSAA members to assist with range operations, helping ensure every visitor enjoys a safe and positive experience. SSAA Victoria actively encourages members to become Range Officers so they can support fellow shooters and help maintain the high standards required by regulatory bodies.SSAA Victoria delivers Range Officer training courses throughout the State.

In 2015, the program underwent a major review to ensure new Range Officers clearly understood the responsibilities of the role. This led to the development of a revised course and the adoption of a new Range Officer Policy by the SSAA Victoria Board.

In 2023, the theoretical component of the course transitioned to an online format, while the practical assessment continued to be delivered on the range.

In 2025, all training materials were comprehensively rewritten. A new Training Manual, along with additional updated resources, will be introduced in 2026.

 

How to become a Range Officer

Training courses are conducted in both metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria. Each prospective Range Officer must complete an application form that is to be sent to the SSAA Victoria State Office.

This application form will ask some questions to assess whether the applicant qualifies to become a Range Officer, such as:

• Are you an SSAA member?
• Do you have a firearms licence, and for how long have you held it?
• Why do you want to become a Range Officer?
• Endorsement from a branch or sub-club.

These questions will allow SSAA Victoria to ascertain what experience an individual has had on and around a range and with firearms. The Branch or Sub-club endorsement is a mandatory requirement. Those who have only recently acquired a firearms licence or have no intention to assist Branches or Sub-clubs may not be viewed favourably unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Once the SSAA Victoria Training Manager has approved an application, you will be notified to complete your booking for an available practical session in the table below.

Download the application form and email it to: training@ssaavic.com.au

Course structure:

• The course has an online theory component and a practical session on an SSAA shooting range. You will receive access to the online theory four (4) weeks before the practical date. You must complete the theory assessment at least five (5) business days before the practical session to give us enough time to assess it. (You are required to visit the range of the club that endorsed your application to complete the theory).
• During the practical session, each candidate will be assessed and, based on meeting key criteria, they will be accredited as a Range Officer after completing the course and the post-course live-fire practice shoots.
• Following the course, the competent Range Officers need to be inducted into the range they will be servicing and complete at least six practice shoots under the supervision of an experienced Range Officer to build confidence and understanding of any unique natures of their local range. This induction should include understanding the range rules (orders), range certification, and local limitations/restrictions of the range(s).

Once the course and the practice shoots are completed, candidates must submit a copy of their Working with Children Check to receive a range officer card as proof of their accreditation. This accreditation card should be worn when on duty as a Range Officer on a SSAA Victoria range.

Training policy

See our Range Officer training policy here.

Does my accreditation expire?

Yes. Every three years, all RO accreditations are reviewed and validated. The SSAA Victoria State Office oversees the entire reaccreditation process, which requires each Branch or Sub‑club to formally endorse their Range Officers. No further courses are required, but ROs must remain actively involved on the range to receive endorsement.

Revalidation

All RO accreditations expired at the end of 2025. The Association identified the Range Officers who were actively supporting our ranges, and SSAA Victoria issued new cards with an updated three‑year expiry.

The next revalidation process will take place in 2028. In November of that year, the State Office will provide each branch and sub‑club with a list of all current ROs.

Branches and sub‑clubs will then endorse those who have been regularly active in the role. These endorsements will be returned to the State Office for processing, and new SSAA Victoria RO cards will be issued. As part of this process, RO contact details will be verified and the database updated.

Anyone not endorsed by their club will automatically have their RO status cancelled and will be required to resit the course and complete all training requirements from the beginning.