News Desk

SIFA Industry Issues Brief – Q1 2025

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Federal Government and National Issues

SIFA Rejects Misleading Gun Control Australia Report

Gun Control Australia (GCA) and the Australia Institute have released a report attempting to link lawful firearm ownership with increased public danger—a claim that contradicts existing data.

The report relies on selective data and misleading opinion polling, ignoring evidence that firearm-related crime in Australia has been decreasing for decades.

SIFA has urged governments to focus on criminal misuse of firearms, not law-abiding shooters, and to reject flawed, agenda-driven reports.

Read more: SIFA SLAMS GUN CONTROL AUSTRALIA’S REPORT.

National Firearms Register Update

The National Firearms Register (NFR) project is due to be completed by the mid-2028 and despite the Attorney General’s department advising SIFA that we will be the key industry stakeholder, there has still been no formal consultation process announced.

With the Federal election just weeks away, SIFA will be monitoring the outcome and re-engaging with the new parliament to continue advocating for the industry.

National Transport Commission AEC/ADG Consultation

After 12 months of in-depth consultation, the consultation ended with recommendations being sent to the NTC. Following this, the NTC released a specific consultation session on class 1 explosives. SIFA completed a series of workshops, consulted with SIFA members and responded to the consultation. Currently, we are waiting for the outcomes to be published.

NSW

NSW Mental Health Assessment

NSW Police have issued a new Mental Health Assessment Framework. The draft asks questions of firearms licence applicants that are overly intrusive and lack a clear benefit to public safety.

SIFA has a submitted an FOI request to NSW Police to better understand the guidelines’ development.

During the NSW Parliamentary sitting of 18-20 February, due to the efforts of MPs Roy Butler (Barwon) and Phil Donato (Orange), NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley acknowledged that the document requires further work, referring it back to the NSWFRCC.

This acknowledgement follows a Standing Order 52 motion from MLC John Ruddick (Libertarian Party), and a SIFA GIPA request that sought full transparency on how NSW Police developed this policy.

View Health Risk Assessment

Firearms Regulations Remake

SIFA will be part of a targeted industry consultation on the remake of the NSW Firearms Regulations 2017. This process has commenced and is expected to take place in several stages over the next 8 months, with the new Regulations being presented to Parliament in September.

Firearms Licence Qualification Course

NSW Police are now seeking changes to the firearms licence qualification course. SIFA is heavily involved in this process pushing back against changes being pursued by other shooting organisations that will ultimately create unnecessary practical assessments that will make it more time consuming and increase costs for those seeking a firearms license.

NT

Northern Territory Police Force recently sent an email to all NT Firearms Licence holders about the National Firearms Register, requiring license holders to complete a “self-check” form and submit photographs of each of their firearms. This has been sprouted for “peace of mind” that their “information is complete and in accordance with the NFR requirements”.

SIFA is concerned that this “self-check” is the NT Police Force forcing firearms owners to do the NT police’s job and require firearms owners to cover poorly implemented systems and compliance within the NT Firearms Registry.

QLD

Currently, there are ongoing issues with QLD Police Weapons Licensing Branch rejecting PTAs for larger calibre firearms and questioning the need for additional firearms of a similar calibre to those already owned.

SIFA is working closely with the Queensland Firearms Dealers Association, Shooters Union and the new QLD Government on this issue.

TAS

Firearms Licence Application

SIFA is consulting with TAS Police on a proposed Firearms Licence Application process that seeks nearly all medical history on applicants. Reportable medical conditions include insomnia, migraine, learning disabilities and ADHD.

Documents obtained by SIFA through our Right to Information request reveal zero expert support, having been slammed by GPs, psychiatrists, academics, and farmers for being intrusive, counterproductive, and a burden on an already stretched healthcare system.

SIFA has made a submission to which we are waiting to hear the outcome. Read more: Tasmania Police’s Mental Health Proposals Slammed by Experts

Antique Firearms

In 2024, without warning or consultation, the Tasmanian Police Commissioner cancelled an exemption that allowed the collection of antique firearms without a licence. Following advocacy, the police minister has put forward draft legislation to fix this issue. SIFA has made a submission on the proposed legislation, and we are now waiting to hear the outcome of our submissions.

Read more: SIFA Pushes Back on Tasmania’s Proposed Antique Firearms Laws

Recognition of interstate licences

In reviewing their Act and Regulations, the Tasmanian commissioner of Police announced that there was no provision for the recognition of interstate licences for hunting. SIFA made several representations and are pleased to advise that the Minister has now issued an exemption.

Read more: A Positive Result for Interstate Hunters Visiting Tasmania.

VIC

Firearms Licence Training Course

Victoria Police are still proposing changes to the firearms licence training course. SIFA continues to work with the Victorian Firearms Traders Association and we are both seeking to maintain the current training apparatus.

2025 Victorian Duck Season

Following SIFA and several other organisations making  submissions to the Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy in late 2024, the Victorian Government has confirmed the 2025 duck season arrangements, including a 9-bird bag limit, determined through the Adaptive Harvest Model (AHM).

The AHM provides a science-based framework to ensure sustainable harvest decisions, free from political influence.

It’s encouraging to see a data-driven approach being applied to hunting regulations, reinforcing the importance of responsible wildlife management over misinformation and activist agendas.

WA

Firearms Regulations & Consultation

Despite multiple revisions since their announcement, the WA Government’s new firearms regulations are set to commence on March 31, 2025. SIFA’s formal request to the Police Minister for a consultation session for members has been ignored, with WA Police also refusing to engage directly, instructing us to submit questions in writing instead.

SIFA has consulted with our Patron members on this matter and have issued a letter to WA Police highlighting serious concerns with the regulations, particularly surrounding the unworkable requirements  for the commercial freighting of firearms.

SIFA will continue to advocate for the industry and is  urging the WA Government to work with us to achieve workable outcomes.

Visit WA Government’s Firearms Act Reform Page

WA Police Failures & Firearm Law Overhaul

SIFA has highlighted how WA Police failed to enforce existing laws which would have  prevented the Floreat murders, yet the government has used this tragedy to justify sweeping new restrictions on licensed firearm owners and businesses.

This follows a familiar pattern of ignoring enforcement failures and rushing through legislative changes before full investigations are completed. SIFA continues to push for evidence-based policy and accountability for WA Police’s failures, rather than further restrictions on responsible shooters.

Read more: Preventable Tragedies and Knee-jerk Gun Laws

ACT and SA

At this time, SIFA is not aware of any major regulatory or policy issues affecting the shooting industry in the ACT, NT, or SA. However, we remain vigilant and ready to advocate for our industry should any concerns arise.

If you are aware of any emerging issues in these states or territories, please reach out to us at info@sifa.net.au so we can investigate and take action where needed.

Keeping the Industry Strong

SIFA remains committed to advocating for fair, evidence-based firearm policies and ensuring that government decisions are made with proper consultation and accountability. With significant regulatory changes on the horizon, particularly in WA and NSW, it is more important than ever for industry members to stay informed and engaged.

We encourage all businesses and individuals within the shooting industry to:

  • Participate in SIFA’s Regulator Performance Survey launching March 3rd.
  • Report any emerging issues to info@sifa.net.au.
  • Stay engaged with policy developments and support industry advocacy efforts.

SIFA will continue to hold regulators accountable, push for genuine consultation, and stand up for licensed firearm owners and businesses.

For further updates, visit sifa.net.au or follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn

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