[REVISION HISTORY]

Australia gun buyback: NSW and ACT move forward

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-16 02:03 UTC → 2026-08-16 03:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following the December 2025 antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people, the Australian federal government introduced sweeping firearm reforms, including a nationwide buyback of prohibited semi-automatic and pump-action weapons. While the plan aimed for national consistency, it has faced significant state opposition. By late July 2026, the initiative had largely stalled as Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia rejected key measures, such as caps on the number of firearms per person. Premier Jacinta Allan cited voter concerns as a reason for the rejection. This divergence has created a regulatory patchwork, particularly impacting the agricultural sector. NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin has called for consistency in licensing to prevent limiting access to essential tools for the approximately 25,000 farm businesses in NSW and 300 in the ACT that may be subject to the scheme. In August 2026, the federal and New South Wales governments reached an agreement to launch a major buyback starting November 2. Under this arrangement, the Commonwealth and NSW will split administration costs, with the federal government fully funding the destruction of surrendered weapons. The scheme targets firearms exceeding a new four-gun ownership ~~limit~~ limit, though exceptions exist for farmers and ~~newly reclassified weapons.~~ professional shooters who may own up to ten. Authorities estimate up to 274,000 registered firearms—roughly 24 percent of NSW’s total—could be returned. To support the transition, the government is offering grants of up to $25,000 to businesses and dealers, ~~while some~~ along with $500 in license fee relief over two years. Some high-value firearms may be eligible for compensation up to $10,000 starting in early 2027. Initial compensation for specific weapons includes $1,000 for revolvers and $850 for semi-automatic handguns. These reforms have faced criticism from One Nation leaders during community consultations.

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