NSW will participate in the National Gun Buyback Scheme from 2 November 2026
New South Wales will be the first state to commence the Commonwealth Government’s National Gun Buyback Scheme, with both governments agreeing to share the costs of the buyback 50:50.
The Buyback Scheme will be implemented in phases in New South Wales, with Phase 1 commencing 2 November 2026. It will provide compensation for eligible firearms affected by firearm limits and classification changes introduced under the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, and ammunition.
The NSW Government will provide further information on eligibility, compensation arrangements and participation in due course, on this webpage and through direct contact with licensed firearm owners.
Phase 1 of the NSW Buyback Scheme will include a fixed price schedule for individual licence holders, who are above the new legal limit for their licence, to return their firearms in exchange for fair compensation.
| Gun type | Gun sub-type | Payment under the Buyback Scheme |
| Handgun | Revolver | $1,000 |
| Semi-automatic | $850 | |
| Shotgun | Double barrel | $850 |
| Single barrel | $650 | |
| Rifle | Rimfire | $600 |
| Centrefire | $1,000 | |
| Air rifle | $450 |
Phase 2 of the NSW Buyback Scheme, commencing in early 2027, will provide a pathway to compensation, for a fee, for eligible higher-value firearms with an indicative market value above $3,000, capped at $10,000 per firearm.
NSW Government firearm reforms
Following the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, the NSW Government introduced the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 which includes the toughest firearm reforms in a generation.
Key elements of the reforms include capping and restricting the number and type of firearms a person can own, strengthening checks on people seeking to own firearms and reducing the licence period from five years to two.
These firearms reforms strengthen oversight, reduce risk and help keep the community safe.
The NSW Government is also investing more than $42.8 million over 10 years into the NSW Firearms Registry, including additional staff and system upgrades to support the implementation of these reforms and the Buyback Scheme.
The Buyback Scheme is informed by the Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s recommendations to prioritise efforts to finalise and implement an updated and nationally consistent National Firearms Agreement (Recommendation 13) and Buyback Scheme (Recommendation 14).
Industry support
The Buyback Scheme in NSW will also provide financial assistance for businesses and industry to adjust to the reforms.
This industry support package will launch alongside Phase 1 of the Buyback Scheme on 2 November 2026.
It will include:
- Up to $25,000 in business support grants for eligible businesses and dealers
- One-off licence fee relief for eligible gun dealers in NSW, worth $500 over two years per dealer.
- Advisory support for all gun dealers and businesses in NSW.
More information about support for dealers and businesses will be released in the coming weeks.
The NSW Small Business Commission will host a roundtable to provide information to eligible businesses and dealers about the industry support grants and other support available. As part of the roundtable, the Commission will engage with small businesses to understand the impact of this change and their needs for support during the transition.
Frequently asked questions
Who can participate:
- Licence and permit holders whose firearms can no longer be held because:
- the firearms are prohibited or reclassified,
- the number of firearms they own are above the new limits (the 4- or 10-gun limits)
- they do not meet the Australian citizenship requirement (exceptions apply)
- Firearms dealers in respect of their firearms stock purchased before 24 December 2025 and subsequently prohibited or reclassified to Category C.
The NSW Government will provide further information on eligibility, compensation arrangements and participation in due course.
The NSW Government will provide further information on eligibility, compensation arrangements and participation in due course.
NSW Police Force website has information about the current Amnesty.
The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 will:
- Prohibit firearms which can use belt fed ammunition, and exclude them from Categories C and D.
- Classify straight pull/pump action firearms and button/lever release firearms as Category C firearms.
- Classify semi-automatic air guns as a Category B firearms.
- Impose magazine capacity limits of 5 round for relevant Category A firearms and 10 rounds for relevant Category B firearms.