How to Renew Your Licence for Purpose of Use 1 – Club Use

Classes are the types of firearms you own (A, B, C, D, H) and the purposes of having that firearm are the numbers next to the letters, (1,2,3,4,5,6,7). The definitions can be found on the back of your firearms licence, or  in the firearms act and regulations by clicking here (Link to other page).

If you have a 1 next to any of the categories (A,B,C,D,H), it means you have a licence to use a firearm within a shooting club. To renew the licence for Purposes of Use 1 (POU1)  you will need to show that you are an active member of a club.
The instructions below go through the process for renewing your licence or purpose of use 1 for A, B and H at for a SSAA Club.

LONG ARMS (A,B)

Long arms licences are either 1, 2 or 5 years. If you have  A1  and /or B1 on your licence, you are required to obtain a chit from the club stating you are an active member.

Chits are written out by the club signatories for the club you are a member of. Usually the club signatory is the clubs secretary; however some of the larger clubs may have multiple signatories for you to access.  It is preferably to contact the signatory to organise your chit a couple of weeks before your licence expires instead of leaving it for the day of expiry.

When you ask for a chit, you will need to show your current firearms licence, your club membership and your SSAA membership card, All documents need to be still in date.

The secretary is required by Law to inform SAPOL of those members who are no longer active members of a SSAA Club within 28 Days.

Once you receive you chit, you can then go to renew your firearms licence. Make sure that the chit is attached to your licence renewal as they can separate by accident through the post.

PISTOLS (H)

Renewing your handgun licence (Class H POU 1)?Renewing your licence for handguns is similar to long arms however a person also needs to do a required number of shoots to show they are an active member. ?Pistol licences are broken up into 4 categories.
Category 1 - Air or gas operated handguns,
Category 2 - .22 Rim-fire handguns,
Category 3 - Centre-fire handguns not more than .38 calibre, and
Category 4 - handguns over .38 calibre.
Over the 12 months before your licence expires, a member must participate in 6 organised competitive shooting matches. Competitive shooting matches are ones that have been programmed by the club. ?Additionally, a member must for each other category of handgun registered in his or her name, complete 4 club organised shoots.

Examples:
Member A does not own any Handguns but has H1 on their licence.
They are required to do 6 shoots in any category over a 12 month period...
Member B owns a .22 Handgun
They are required to do 6 x category 2 shoots over a 12 month period...
Member C owns two .22 calibre handguns and a .45 calibre handgun
They are required to do 6 x category 2 shoots and 4 x category 4 shoots every 12 months.
OR
They can do 6 x category 4 shoots and 4 x category 2 shoots every 12 months...

When your licence is up for renewal you will be required to provide evidence of the shoots you have attended. 

You will also need to show your current Firearms licence, you club membership card and your SSAA membership card. Once you receive you chit, you can then go to renew your firearms licence. Make sure that the chit is attached to your licence renewal as they can separate by accident through the post.

For POU 2, 3 & 4 A club cit is not required.

How to register a firearm

Step 1:

You must be the holder of a current South Australian Firearms licence to register a firearm in South Australia. ( How to get your Firearms Licence)

SECURITY OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION

 Note: firearm includes receivers of firearms.

The following has been extracted from the SA Firearms Act and Regulations. For further advice please contact SAPOL - Firearms Branch

Storage Requirments

Part 6 - Section 38.

( I ) A person (not being a dealer) who has possession of a class A or B firearm, must keep the firearm or receiver secured by-

• (a) Securely attaching and locking it to part of the building in which it is kept; or
• (b) Keeping it in a locked cabinet made of hardwood or steel that is securely attached to the building in which it is kept, or
• (c) Keeping it in a locked safe made of steel that is securely attached to the building in which it is kept; or
• (d) Keeping it in a locked steel and concrete strongroom; or
• (e) Such other method as is approved by the Registrar.

(2) A person (not being a dealer) who has possession of a class C, D or H firearm must keep the firearm or receiver secured by-

• (a) Keeping it in a locked safe made of steel that is securely attached to the building in which it is kept.

• (b) Keeping it in a locked steel and concrete strongroom.

• (c) Such other method as is approved by the Registrar.

(3) A cabinet or safe referred to in sub regulation (1) or (2) must be-

• (a) Fitted with fittings and locks that prevent it from being easily forced open.
• (b) Made of material of sufficient thickness to prevent it from being easily broken, opened or destroyed.

(4) Despite sub regulations (1)(C) and (2)(a), a safe need not be attached to the building if it's mass when empty is 150 kilograms or more.

Part 6, Section 41—Ammunition Storage Requirments

(1) Ammunition must be stored in a locked container separately from firearms.

(2) A person must not have possession of a round of ammunition that includes high explosives or that is designed to kill, injure or incapacitate by means of smoke or chemicals.

(3) A person must not have possession of a round of military ammunition unless—

(a) it has been modified so that it is incapable of being fired; or

(b) it is of United Nations Hazard classification Code 1.4S  and has a calibre of less than 19.1mm.

Storage in other areas outside of Part 6.

Div 4 - Conditions of licences, Section 21 (d)

When a firearm or ammunition is not secured as required by the normal security requirements the holder of the licence must take all reasonable precautions to ensure that the firearm or ammunition is not lost or stolen or does not come into the possession of an unauthorised person.

Please refere to the South Australian Firearms Act and Regulations for further details. Or contact the South Australian Police - Firearms Branch.

Additional Linkes

SSAA National Secuirty Information Magazine

SSAA National Licensing & security Page

Hunting Permit for South Australia.

In South Australia open seasons under certain conditions permit the hunting of certain species of protected game. All species of introduced animals can be hunted with no bag restrictions; however a hunting permit is required before it is permissible to hunt such animals. A hunter must obtain and carry written permission when hunting on private land.
South Australia has a permit system in which any person wanting to hunt must hold the appropriate  permit.

How to Obtain your Firearms Licence in South Australia

Step One – How to understand the licensing System:

The first step is to understand the types of licensing. That way deepening on the type of firearm and use you have for it, it will then determine what training you will require.

A firearms licence is first broken up into classes (A, B, C, D & H). Each class represents different types of firearm.

• Class A:     Air rifles, air guns, and paintball firearms; 22 rimfire rifles (not self-loading); single or double barrel shotguns (not self-loading or pump action) and include receivers.
• Class B:    Muzzle loading firearms (not being handguns); revolving chamber rifles; centrefire (not self-loading); break action shotgun/rifle combinations. All other firearms not class A firearms (not being prescribed firearms, handguns, self-loading or pump action shotguns), including receivers.
• Class C:    Self loading rimfire rifles with a magazine capacity no greater than 10 rounds; self loading shotguns with a magazine capacity no greater than 5 round; pump action shotguns with a magazine capacity no greater than 5 rounds, and includes receivers.
• Class D: Self loading rimfire rifles with a magazine capacity of more than 10 rounds; self loading centrefire rifles; self loading shotguns with a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds and a pump action shotgun with a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds, and including receivers.
• Class H:    All handguns (including Air pistols) 

Each class is then broken up into purpose of use (POU):

• POU 1.    Club Use (Competition / Practice at a club)
• POU 2.    Target Shooting (General sighting in)
• POU 3.    Hunting
• POU 4.    Paintball
• POU 5.    Primary Production
• POU 6.    Security Industry
• POU 7.    Other as Provided by Registrar (For example Safety/Licence Trainer)

For further information about firearms classes or purposes of use please contact
SAPOL Firearms Branch: HYPERLINK

SAPOL - 100 point identification system: HYPERLINK

Note: When filling out the PD 303 form, it is important to tick the correct firearms classes and the Purpose of use you. Ticking the wrong boxes may result in further training requirements or further trips back to the Police Station to apply for a licence variation. Please refer back to Step 1 for the different classes and Purposes of uses available. Or contact the State secretary here if you need any assistance.

Step Two: Police Background Check

The Police station will then forward the application to Firearms Branch through the internal mail system. Firearms Branch will then undertake a background check to consider if you are a suitable person to hold a firearms licence.

 
If you are considered a suitable person, Firearms Branch will send you a 'training letter' advising you of the training you will be required to undertake. The training locations will differ depending on the POU. For Example:

• For POU 1 – The applicant is to join a shooting club to undertake the training requirements within the club. The club's training officer will provide you with the relevant information for what is required at that club.
• For POU 2, 3 & 4 - A T.A.F.E. course is required, information of venues of courses is supplied with the 'training letter'.
• For POU 6 - a list of authorised security training instructors will be supplied with the 'training letter'. Justification will also include proof of employment with a licensed security company.

Step Three – Training

The next step for the applicant is to undertake the training. The training varies depending on the class of firearm involved and its purpose of use.

POU 1 – Club Use
Training for POU 1 (Club use) is done through your local club. Each SSAA club has a training instructor, which can assist you in obtaining a POU1 licence.

Please note, A club can only train for the classes of firearm it shoots. For example,

• A Rimfire and or air rifle club can only train for A1;
• A pistol club can only train for H1;

Please make sure that the club shoots the types of matches you are interested in prior to undertaking the training. Most SSAA clubs shoot A, B and H so it should not be a problem.

Training consists of both practical and theory sessions. These requirements will vary depending on the class of firearm and local club by-laws. Please check with your club for details.

Once the applicant has completed the training, the club will sign off the licence application for the appropriate classes (A, B and or H).

POU 2, 3 & 4 – Target Use, Hunting and Paintball
Training for POU 2, 3 and or 4 is done through TAFE SA. These courses are one full day and have a theory and practical component. The courses are held at Regency plus a number of country areas across the state.

For further information about TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or  TAFE SA Courses: HYPERLINK

A couple of items to note prior to starting any training for POU 2, 3 & 4.

Applicants wishing to apply for hunting on their licence will also need to apply for a hunting permit with the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH). Information and permit applications can be found at Information:  DEH HYPERLINK

Applicants wishing to start shooting in club competitions will need to updated their licence to include POU1.

Step Four – Competition of Training

When justifications and training certificates are received from either the Club, TAFE, employer ect, Firearms Branch will send you a 'data card', with which you attend at a photo point, again provide your 100 points of identification and pay the prescribed licence fee. Upon payment, an 'interim licence' will be issued.

Current Licence Fees-  SAPOL HYPERLINK

You should receive your photographic licence within 28 days.

Graduated Access section 15A (4b) – Class H
Please note for handguns.

Legislation now prohibits the purchase handguns within the first 6 months from the granting of a Class H firearms licence for club use.
For the second 6 months of a new Class H licence for club use, purchase is restricted to the following;
1 air or gas operated pistol or a .22 calibre pistol or 1 centre-fire pistol or,
1 air or gas operated pistol and 1 .22 calibre pistol or,
1 air or gas operated pistol and 1 centre-fire pistol
This restriction does not apply to muzzle loading or percussion cap and ball handguns. Refer section 15A (4e).
The club secretary may keep the graduated access provisions in mind when issuing purchase chits however the Adjudication staff within Firearms Branch will monitor this aspect.

The Hunter’s Code
I will consider myself an invited guest of the land holder, seeking his or her permission and so conducting myself that I may be welcome in the future.
I will obey the rules of safe gun handling and will courteously but firmly insist that others who hunt with me do the same.
I will obey all game laws and regulations and will insist that my companions do likewise.
I will do my best to acquire those marksmanship and hunting skills that assure clean, sportsmanlike kills.
I will support conservation efforts that can assure good hunting for future generations of Australians.
I will pass along to younger hunters the attitudes and skills essential to a true outdoor sportsman.

Basic Range Rules

While out at the shooting range, certain rules must be obeyed if you want to enjoy a day of shooting. The following rules are general; range rules may vary according to the discipline being shot:

Firearm Safety