The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Firearms and Weapons) Regulations 2021

Closing date

The Australian Government is committed to keeping Australia’s firearms laws among the most effective in the world. Regulation of the importation of firearms maintains the safety of all Australians by ensuring that only those with a genuine reason can access a firearm.

The licensing, possession and use of firearms within Australia is a matter for the states and territories.  The Australian Government is responsible for the importation of firearms into Australia. The Australian Government works closely with its state and territory counterparts and relevant stakeholders to strengthen public safety by delivering a consistent approach to the effective management of firearms in Australia.

The Australian Government is considering a package of firearms and weapons reforms to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 to:

  • reduce the regulatory burden associated with the importation of firearms and weapons
  • enable greater opportunities for firearm and weapon-related research and development
  • resolve issues relating to the importation of firearms and weapons for supply to government for law enforcement or defence purposes
  • consolidate and streamline import requirements for identified articles to reduce ambiguity for importers
  • address risks and operational impediments identified by government agencies to improve community safety.

The proposed changes would require amendments to Regulation 4F, Schedule 6 and Schedule 13 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.

In September 2020 the Department released a consultation paper on the proposed reforms relating to the importation of firearms, firearm-related goods and weapons. This paper provided stakeholders with an opportunity to consider the proposed reforms and give feedback. The Department received nine submissions.

On 28 May 2021, the Department invited public submissions on the Exposure Draft of the proposed Customs (Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Firearms and Weapons) Regulations 2021.

The Department also provided explanatory material and background material to assist in the development of submissions.

Request for public submissions

At 5pm (AEST) on Friday 25 June 2021, the public consultation period on the Exposure Draft of the proposed Customs (Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Firearms and Weapons) Regulations 2021 closed.

The Department is considering the submissions provided.​

Note: Submissions are invited on a public basis. Tell us at the time of lodgement if you wish for your submission to be treated as confidential. Any submission provided on a confidential basis remains subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

The Department of Home Affairs retains discretion about publishing and sharing submissions. Submissions provided without a confidentiality request may be published on the Department’s website. The Department of Home Affairs retains the right to share your submission with other parties such as state and territory governments or other Commonwealth agencies.

If your submission relates to an application or an unrelated matter it will not be included.