Permits and Licences
Requirements for imitation and replica firearms aren't uniform across Australia. Some states ask for nothing at all, others require a formal permit before you can take possession. This page groups the states by what's actually required, so you can find your situation quickly. Treat it as a starting point, not a final answer: contact your state's firearms registry directly before purchasing anything you're uncertain about.
States With No Registration Required
Western Australia and South Australia generally don't require registration for non-firing imitation firearms. WA law refers to these as "imitation" firearms specifically (what most people colloquially call a "replica" is, under WA's terminology, legally an imitation) and treats them as legal to own without a permit. SA similarly excludes imitation firearms, including items like toy pistols or novelty lighters, from its registration requirements.
Queensland doesn't require a weapons licence for non-firing replica weapons in Category A, B, C, or H — a replica being defined as a reasonable facsimile of a weapon, even one that can't discharge a projectile.
Information: Changes to replica firearm legislation
Replica: Replica, temporary and permanently inoperable weapons
Fees (where applicable to other categories): Weapons licensing fees
Applications: Queensland Police application
States Requiring a Permit or Licence
New South Wales requires two forms: the general P634 "Application for a Firearms Permit," plus either the "Imitation Firearm Legitimate Reason" form or the "Imitation Firearm Permit Collector Legitimate Reason" form, depending on why you want the item. Permits run for up to 5 years and cost $75.
Standard permit (any legitimate reason): Imitation firearm permit
Collector's permit (for maintaining or displaying a collection): Imitation firearm collector permit
P634 form: Firearms Permit Application
Fee schedule: NSW Police fee schedule
Tasmania requires a firearms licence to possess an imitation firearm (toys excepted). The only accepted reason for holding one is collection, and you'll need whichever licence category, A, B, or H, matches the item.
Applying: Applying for a permit
Fees: Firearms licence fees
Imitation firearms specifically: Tasmania imitation firearms
Victoria treats imitation firearms as prohibited weapons under the Control of Weapons Act 1990 unless you hold a Chief Commissioner of Police approval or a Governor in Council exemption.
Fees: Victoria Police service fees and penalties
Applications: Forms and applications
Chief Commissioner approval: Chief Commissioner approval
Background: Firearms licensing
Legislation: Control of Weapons Act 1990
The Australian Capital Territory classifies replicas — including replica pistols, blank-fire pistols, and shortened or automatic firearm replicas — as Prohibited Firearms under the Firearms Act 1996, unless a specific type has been approved by the Registrar. A permit from the Registrar is required to legally own or use one. Given how narrowly this is defined, we'd recommend contacting ACT Policing directly before purchasing.
Legislation: Firearms Act 1996
Effectively Prohibited
The Northern Territory is the strictest case: under the Weapons Act NT, non-firing imitation firearms are prohibited outright, covering items like gel blasters, airsoft, and hydro blasters as well as standard imitations.
Background: Australian Border Force — prohibited firearms
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the strictest state for buying an imitation firearm?
The Northern Territory, where non-firing imitation firearms are prohibited under the Weapons Act NT regardless of documentation. Victoria and the ACT are also tightly regulated, requiring specific approvals before purchase.
Are toy cap guns covered by any of this?
No, generally not. Toy firearms — items that can't reasonably be mistaken for a real weapon because of their size, shape, or colour — sit outside the imitation/replica classification in most states. Always check the specific product's classification on its listing, since the line can be state-dependent.
I already hold a permit in one state — does it transfer if I move?
No. Permits and licences are issued by, and tied to, the state or territory you reside in. Moving interstate means reapplying under your new state's rules, and in a state like the NT, the item may not be legally possessable at all.
How long does approval typically take?
It varies by state and by how quickly you can supply the required documentation. NSW permits, once granted, last up to 5 years, but initial processing time depends on application volume and completeness of your paperwork. Contact the relevant registry for current timeframes.
Who do I actually call if I'm stuck?
Each state's firearms or weapons registry can tell you exactly what's needed for a specific item. Contact numbers and emails for every state and territory are listed on our Disclaimer page.