Loading...
Australian Customs Notice No. 2026/26 (change in Australian gun laws)
Status:
MUST READ
Date Added:
29/07/26
OZGUNSALES ADVISE BUYERS REQUEST FIREARMS OR GOODS BE TAKEN TO A LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER TO VERIFY BEFORE ANY PAYMENTS ARE MADE.
ALL FIREARMS MUST BE TRANSFERRED THROUGH A LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER
ALL FIREARMS MUST BE TRANSFERRED THROUGH A LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER
Australian Customs Notice
No. 2026/26
Firearms Import Regulatory Amendments
From 13 July 2026, new requirements for firearms and related goods will apply, meaning:
• some goods will be subject to revised import tests as set out in the Customs (Prohibited Imports)
Regulations 1956 (PI Regulations).
• These amendments are enacted by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Sports Shooters and
Other Measures) Regulations 2026 .
Summary of changes
Reform measure
Old treatment
New treatment
Assisted opening and
straight pull shotguns
and rimfire rifles
Item 3 of Schedule 6 (Part 2)
Category C article
Item 3 of Schedule 6 (Part 2)
Restricted Category C article
Antique handguns
Item 9 or 9B of Schedule 6 (Part 2)
Item 9 or 9B of Schedule 6 (Part 2)
Category H article
Sporting association or
body and sporting
events
None
The Minister may specify by
legislative instrument those which
may apply to sporting shooters
Detailed information
Changes to the restricted category C article and certified sports shooter and certified international sports
shooter definitions
The definition of “restricted category C article” has been amended to include assisted repeating action and
straight-pull repeating action firearms, covering both shotguns with no more than 5 round capacity and
rimfire rifles with no more than 10 round capacity that are classified as Schedule 6, Part 2, Item 3 firearms in
the PI Regulations. The addition of rimfire rifle allows for firearms commonly used by biathletes to be
included under the articles eligible for import by or sale to “certified sports shooters” and “certified
international sports shooters”.
Sporting association or body and sporting events
The amendments allow the Minister to determine associations, bodies, events and other criteria for the
purposes of importing “restricted category C” firearms for sports shooting events via legislative instruments.
Currently one instrument is in effect which specifies Biathlon Australia and biathlon events for the purposes
of the PI Regulations. Import permissions for these goods will continue to be issued via the Department, who
will assess if applications are in line with the new criteria
No. 2026/26
Firearms Import Regulatory Amendments
From 13 July 2026, new requirements for firearms and related goods will apply, meaning:
• some goods will be subject to revised import tests as set out in the Customs (Prohibited Imports)
Regulations 1956 (PI Regulations).
• These amendments are enacted by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Sports Shooters and
Other Measures) Regulations 2026 .
Summary of changes
Reform measure
Old treatment
New treatment
Assisted opening and
straight pull shotguns
and rimfire rifles
Item 3 of Schedule 6 (Part 2)
Category C article
Item 3 of Schedule 6 (Part 2)
Restricted Category C article
Antique handguns
Item 9 or 9B of Schedule 6 (Part 2)
Item 9 or 9B of Schedule 6 (Part 2)
Category H article
Sporting association or
body and sporting
events
None
The Minister may specify by
legislative instrument those which
may apply to sporting shooters
Detailed information
Changes to the restricted category C article and certified sports shooter and certified international sports
shooter definitions
The definition of “restricted category C article” has been amended to include assisted repeating action and
straight-pull repeating action firearms, covering both shotguns with no more than 5 round capacity and
rimfire rifles with no more than 10 round capacity that are classified as Schedule 6, Part 2, Item 3 firearms in
the PI Regulations. The addition of rimfire rifle allows for firearms commonly used by biathletes to be
included under the articles eligible for import by or sale to “certified sports shooters” and “certified
international sports shooters”.
Sporting association or body and sporting events
The amendments allow the Minister to determine associations, bodies, events and other criteria for the
purposes of importing “restricted category C” firearms for sports shooting events via legislative instruments.
Currently one instrument is in effect which specifies Biathlon Australia and biathlon events for the purposes
of the PI Regulations. Import permissions for these goods will continue to be issued via the Department, who
will assess if applications are in line with the new criteria
Ozgunsales assumes all responsibility for this listing. You must contact Ozgunsales to resolve any questions or concerns. Firearms may only be shipped to a Licenced Dealer. Some listed items may not be legal in every State.
It is advisable that if you plan on purchasing from a Dealer who has listed an ad on this website to retain the information of the ad and the Dealers details for future reference, as we cannot guarantee that it will still be available if removed
It is advisable that if you plan on purchasing from a Dealer who has listed an ad on this website to retain the information of the ad and the Dealers details for future reference, as we cannot guarantee that it will still be available if removed