Under the NSW Firearms Act 1996 it is an offence for any person to possess or use a firearm unless the person is authorized to do so by a licence or permit.Therefore to get started in the sport of target shooting you must first obtain a licence by following the steps listed below:

Phone the NSW Firearms Registry Customer Service Line on 1300 362 562 to apply for a NSW Firearms Licence.You will need to advise the Customer Service Operator of your "Genuine Reason" for using a firearms (i.e. Sport/Target Shooting) and the category of licence you wish to use. Categories include:

• Category A: air rifles, rimfire rifles (.22 calibre), and shotguns (not pump action).
• Category B: centrefire rifles, shotgun/centrefire combinations.
• Category H: pistols

Your details will be taken over the phone and a personalised Licence Application Form, applicable Genuine Reason Form and for Category A and/or B an Application for an Exemption to undertake a Firearms Safety Training (Long-arms) Course Form (P580) will be posted out to you for completion.

You must become a member of an approved Target Shooting Club. When submitting your licence application the club details should be completed on the back of the Genuine Reason form, including club approval number which can be obtained from your club official.

If applying for a pistol Licence you must submit 2 character references from persons who are of or above the age of 18 and who have known you for at least 2 years.

New applicants will need to compete either a Firearm Licence Qualification (Long-arms) Course and /or a pistol Certificate of Firearms Safety Course.

For contact details for approved clubs at SISC please view the Resident Club contact list.

Once your licence has been approved you will be advised to attend your local RTA office to have a photo licence processed.

NOTE: For the first six months of the term of the licence, holders of a Probationary Pistol Licence must be supervised by the holder of a Category H Sport/Target Shooting licence. During this period you cannot apply to purchase a firearm.