National Firearms Register

Australia has some of the strongest firearms laws in the world. However, there are opportunities to address known gaps to help prevent future tragedies where firearms are involved.

On 1 July 2024, the National Firearms Register (NFR) Implementation Program commenced. This followed National Cabinet’s agreement on 6 December 2023 to implement a register. The NFR delivers on an outstanding reform from the 1996 Port Arthur response.

The NFR will be designed as an integrated system that connects and draws information from existing Commonwealth, state and territory firearms registries, portals and management systems into one central register.

This will provide a life cycle view of registered firearms in Australia, delivering timely and accurate information on firearms, firearm owners and licences across all jurisdictions. The NFR will enhance police and community safety and improve law enforcement capability.

The Attorney-General’s Department and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) will lead national efforts to establish the NFR. The ACIC will develop and operate the NFR’s central register. 

Keep checking this webpage for updates on progress and key developments of the NFR Program.

Benefits of the National Firearms Register

The NFR will provide frontline police officers with access to near real-time information on firearms, firearms owners and licences. It will link firearms information with police and government information systems. This will better enable law enforcement to assess risks to the community and frontline police officers.

The NFR will draw information from existing firearms registries, online portals and firearm management systems. It will deliver, in near-real time:

  • nationwide tracing of firearms across Australia’s international and domestic borders
  • secure nationwide sharing of information on firearms, firearms owners and licences
  • national licence verification service for law enforcement and firearms dealers
  • national alert and notification function for law enforcement about high-risk information or events
  • reporting and analysis functions to understand national firearms trends.

The NFR will put in place more consistent and efficient processes to administer and verify firearms licences. Most firearms management processes, including permit and dealer portals, will become digitised as part of the NFR. This is expected to improve user experience.

Once established, police will know where registered firearms are, who owns them and what risks to the community may exist. Ultimately, the NFR will enhance community safety and reduce the risk of firearm-related violence.

Program structure and timing

The NFR Program is a 4-year initiative and is expected to be operational by mid-2028.

This timeframe reflects the legislative, policy, data and technical improvements required to make the NFR fit for purpose and deliver on its law enforcement and community safety objectives.

All states and territories and a number of Australian Government agencies are improving their registries, portals and management systems. This may include improvements to:

  • legislation
  • policy
  • business processes
  • technical systems
  • data quality and consistency.

Throughout the NFR’s implementation, we will engage with and support individuals and organisations that may be affected by these improvements. 

National Firearms Register Program delivery timeline

National Firearms Register Program delivery timeline

The timeline pictured shows the following steps:

  • Planning for the NFR Program will be conducted for the first 12 months from 2024 till mid-2025.
  • Improvements to data quality and upgrades and building firearms registry systems and portals will be conducted from 2024 till 2027.
  • Targeted stakeholder engagement and change management will be conducted from 2024 until the NFR is operational in mid-2028.
  • Finalising the upgrade/build activities and provisioning data to the NFR will be conducted from mid-2025 until the NFR is operational in mid-2028.

Consultation

We are committed to understanding the views of stakeholders and the broader Australian community as we work to deliver the NFR. Stakeholder engagement with industry, advocacy groups and the community will be a dedicated stream of work throughout the NFR’s implementation.

Communication and stakeholder engagement will be done at both a Commonwealth and a state and territory level. The Commonwealth will engage with national industry and advocacy groups. State and territory police agencies will engage with their respective firearms communities, including dealers and owners. Where joint stakeholders are identified for Commonwealth and jurisdictions, a collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement will occur at key points throughout the NFR Program. 

The Attorney-General’s Department has begun engaging with national industry and advocacy groups to ensure the NFR achieves mutually beneficial outcomes for stakeholders while delivering community safety objectives. Input will be sought on key elements of the NFR. 

In April 2023, a public consultation was held on the key capabilities and benefits the NFR could provide. The department received 86 submissions from individuals and organisations.

Related links

Resources

Visit Firearms publications for more information and resources.

Contact us

General enquiries: nfr.enquiries@ag.gov.au