By SIFA Industry Issues Brief – Q2 2025
Federal Government and National Issues
National Firearms Register Update
The National Firearms Register (NFR) continues to be a major focus. SIFA has raised concerns about implementation delays, inconsistent communication from state and territory registries, and a lack of meaningful consultation with industry. The NFR’s success will depend on proper stakeholder engagement to ensure a system that is fit-for-purpose.
Read more: National Firearms Register Industry Update
National Coordination
SIFA convened a meeting of national shooting organisations to discuss the National Firearms Register, regulatory changes, and advocacy efforts. This historic collaboration aims to unify efforts and present a strong industry voice on key issues.
Read more: SIFA Convenes National Shooting Organisations
Academics’ Conflation of Legal Firearm Ownership with Gun Crime
SIFA has challenged misleading claims by academics attempting to link lawful firearm ownership with crime. These claims undermine evidence-based policymaking and ignore decades of declining firearm-related crime in Australia.
Read more: Academics’ Conflation of Legal Firearm Ownership with Gun Crime
Regulator Performance Survey
The 2025 Regulator Performance Survey closed at the end of March. The results are already proving valuable, with the data being used to support SIFA’s advocacy on South Australian permit delays. A full report will be released soon. SIFA will also write to Police Ministers sharing each state’s results, publish the findings on our website, and use the information in broader advocacy.
States and Territories
Australian Capital Territory
At this time, SIFA is not aware of any major regulatory or policy issues affecting the shooting industry in the ACT. However, we remain vigilant and ready to advocate for our industry should any concerns arise.
New South Wales
SIFA is engaged in the ongoing consultation process regarding the NSW Firearms Regulations 2017 remake. At this stage NSW Police are consulting with us on a series of proposed changes. Unfortunately, due to the confidential nature of the process, we are unable to share more details of the proposals, but rest assured, NSW Police are being very obliging in their engagement whilst we make sure that industry concerns are heard loud and clear.
SIFA also remains engaged in the NSW Police Firearms Registry Consultative Council, The NSW Police Firearm Classification Working Party and the NSW Police Firearms Licence Qualification Course Working Party.
Northern Territory
NT Police are requiring licence holders to submit five photos of each of their firearms as part of a registry “self-check,” raising privacy and security concerns. SIFA has convened a working group to address these issues and improve communication from NT Police.
Read more: Confusion Over NT Firearms Self-Check
Queensland
SIFA is working closely with the Firearms Dealers Association of Queensland and Shooters Union on ongoing issues affecting dealers and end users such as Permit to Acquire (PTA) applications. We are seeing issues, especially for centrefire firearms, coming under quite a bit of scrutiny from Weapons Licensing and with ongoing delays. SIFA has made direct submissions to address these issues to QLD Police Minister, Dan Purdie MP.
South Australia
Permit processing times have increased from two weeks in November 2024 to eight weeks in May 2025, placing significant strain on dealer cash flow and operations.
Firearms licence applications and renewal processing times are in an even worse state, with applications from November 2024 and renewals December 2024 being processed as of 30 May 2025.
SIFA has made representations to the SA Police Commissioner and Minister, supported by a media campaign which was covered in The Advertiser and syndicated across dozens of other news outlets. As a result of SIFA’s advocacy efforts and following a meeting with the Head of SA’s registry, SAPOL has committed to addressing the backlog and has appointed SIFA to quarterly consultation meetings. SIFA continues to monitor permit processing times.
Read more: Update on SA Firearm Permit Delays
Media Release: Killing Small Business – SA Police Backlog
Tasmania
SIFA is monitoring the new firearms licence application form which was sent back to the drawing board after the proposed application form came under immense scrutiny from shooting and medical organisations. The application form is currently with Tasmania Police for review. There is no set timeline for the roll-out of the updated form and the committee will decide on any further consultation period. Stakeholders will be contacted once updates are available.
Victoria
The Victorian Firearms Consultative Council (VFCC) has a new Chairperson, Ms Luba Grigorovitch MP, appointed by the Minister for Police, the Hon Anthony Carbines MP, effective 26 May 2025. Ms Grigorovitch is the Member for Kororoit and the Parliamentary Secretary for Outdoor Recreation. Communications and Policy Manager, Keith Drain will now represent SIFA on the VFCC.
SIFA has been battling with Victoria Police to release non-sensitive firearms data to us that is crucial to analyse our industry. Yet, unlike all their jurisdictional counterparts, Victoria Police and the Minister are treating our modest request with contempt.
Western Australia
SIFA welcomed the WA Parliament’s decision to review the rushed and deeply flawed firearms laws, which were implemented without proper industry consultation. The legislation has faced significant issues since its introduction and has suffered from a lack of planning for real-world implementation.
One of the most pressing issues is the Firearm Authority Health Assessments (FAHAs), which has seen widespread refusal by doctors to participate due to concerns raised by the AMA and RACGP.
SIFA has also raised concerns about issues such as GPS tracking and trigger/action lock requirements for commercial freight, which are unworkable in their current form. We are seeking amendments to these regulations.
SIFA has consistently highlighted these foreseeable issues and the need for evidence-based policy supported by genuine consultation with all stakeholders.
The appointment of Reece Whitby as Police Minister has seen a more consultative approach. While differences remain, his willingness to engage and understand industry concerns is a positive step forward.
WA’s new firearms laws remain in effect during the review process.
Read more: WA Firearms Health Assessments Rejected by GPs
SIFA Welcomes Parliamentary Review of WA Firearms Laws
Keeping the Industry Strong
SIFA remains committed to advocating for fair, evidence-based firearm policies and ensuring that governments consult meaningfully with industry. We encourage all businesses and individuals to:
- Stay engaged with SIFA’s campaigns.
- Report emerging issues to info@sifa.net.au.
- Support our efforts to hold regulators accountable.
SIFA will continue to stand up for responsible firearm owners and the entire Australian shooting industry.
