Applying online for weapons licences and permits

Below are some common questions regarding online applications. Please select the appropriate question to reveal the information.

Who can apply using Weapons Applications Online (WAO)?

Permanent Queensland residents may apply for a Queensland weapons licence, licence renewal or permit to acquire (PTA) using WAO provided certain eligibility criteria can be satisfied. Ensure you are eligible to apply for and/or renew a Queensland weapons licence or PTA.

Document Combinations

You will have two options for the combination of documents to take to a participating post office.

Option 1

1 x Primary with address & photo

1 x Commencement

1 x Secondary

Option 2

1 x Primary with photo

1 x Commencement

1 x Secondary with address

Document Classifications

Classification	Document
Commencement	Australian Birth Certificate
Commencement	Australian Citizenship Certificate
Commencement & Primary	Australian Passport
Commencement & Primary	Foreign Passport with visa
Commencement & Primary	New Zealand Passport
Commencement & Primary	ImmiCard
Primary	Australian Driver Licence or Learner’s Permit
Primary	Firearms Licence (issued in a State or Territory of Australia)
Primary	Gov't Issued Proof of Age Card
Primary	Secondary Student ID card (under 18 with a photo)
Primary	Australian Defence Force ID card
Secondary	Working with Children Check card
Secondary	Private Security Licence
Secondary	Medicare card
Secondary	Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) card
Secondary	Centrelink benefits card
Secondary	Credit / Debit card
Secondary	Passbook
Secondary	Secondary Student ID card (under 18 without a photo)
Secondary	Tertiary Student ID card
Secondary	Foreign Birth Certificate (with translation)
Secondary	Foreign Driver's Licence
Secondary & Evidence of Address	Utilities notice
Secondary & Evidence of Address	Financial institution statement
Secondary & Evidence of Address	Taxation Assessment Notice
Secondary & Evidence of Address	Property Lease Agreement
Secondary & Evidence of Address	Rental Contract or receipt
Secondary & Evidence of Address	Council Rates Notice
Secondary & Evidence of Address	Insurance Policy documents
Secondary & Evidence of Address	Motor vehicle registration
Change of Name	Deed Poll
Change of Name	Marriage Certificate (Australian)
Change of Name	Marriage Certificate (Foreign, with translation)
Change of Name	Change of Name Certificate
Change of Name	Divorce papers (Australian)

I want to shop around a number of weapons dealers before I acquire a weapon. Can I still apply online?

No. To apply online you need to supply details of the individual or business that you are acquiring the weapon from.

If you want to shop around you will need to complete a paper application for a permit to acquire.

Even if you apply using a paper application, you will still be required to supply minimum weapon details.

What documents do I need to supply with my PTA application?

In certain circumstances you may need to supply supporting documentation with your permit to acquire (PTA) application. This applies if you are acquiring a weapon for any of the following reasons:

category H weapon for sports or target shooting
- Club approval required containing members name, action, calibre, barrel length signed by an executive member of the club.
requirements for collectors
- Substantiated evidence that supports your genuine need. Eg Excerpts from books or links to websites to show proof item meets thematic, historic, commemorative or investment requirements.
requirements for a weapon in safekeeping
if the weapon is being disposed from a deceased estate

Why haven’t I received my PTA?

The mandatory waiting period for an initial permit to acquire is 28 days from the date the application is lodged. If you applied online for a weapons licence at the same time as your PTA, the PTA cannot be issued until the weapons license is issued and the 28-day mandatory waiting period has passed.

Applicants who do not provide sufficient information or supporting documentation will experience delays in processing or possible rejection of the application.

What is Weapons Application Online (WAO)?

Weapons Applications Online or WAO is a service offered by the Queensland Police Service. WAO allows Queensland residents and representatives of Queensland businesses to apply and pay for a new licence, licence renewal or permit to acquire (PTA) over the internet - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

At this time new weapons licence applications, renewals and PTA's are the only applications available online.

Can I renew my licence using WAO?

Yes you can.

More information on renewing your licence.

Why should I use WAO?

WAO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means at a time and place convenient for you, you can:

apply for a weapons licence or PTA online provide all supporting documentation and
an application submitted using WAO allows your application to be processed efficiently and without unnecessary delay as it is submitted directly to Weapons Licensing.
pay using Visa or Mastercard (credit or debit)

What do I require to apply using WAO?

To make an application using WAO you must have access to an email address and a valid credit/debit Visa or Mastercard for payment.

Ensure you are eligible to apply or renew a Queensland weapons licence or PTA.

What documentation is required to be submitted with my online application?

The supporting documentation you need to supply with your new licence application will depend on the class of licence and the reason for your application (your genuine reason). In certain circumstances, you might also need to provide supporting documentation with your application for a PTA and licence renewal.

Supporting documentation and licence photographs are mandatory for the lodgement of new licence applications online and failure to submit the correct documentation will result in delays in processing your application.

To upload documentation to your application ensure the files are:

saved to your computer as PDF, TIFF, JPEG or GIF files
are legible; and
are no larger than 2MB per file.

A current photograph is required for the submission of all new licence applications and this can be saved to your computer as any valid image format.

For licence renewal applications, please note if your photo is more than ten years old, you will need to supply a new photograph. You are able to take your own photo on a digital device. Ensure the photo is of passport quality ie. Taken from the shoulders up, wearing no glasses or hats and on a white background..

If you can't upload supporting documentation for your PTA or licence renewal application, email weaponslicensingenquiry@police.qld.gov.au or mail them to Weapons Licensing GPO Box 892 Brisbane QLD 4001, quoting your reference number.

The confirmation screen will display a list of the documentation required to be provided with your application. It is recommended you print this page and attach it to the documents if you select the options to fax, email or mail the documents to Weapons Licensing.

Can I apply for a new licence application and a PTA at the same time?

Yes, however whilst WAO does have the ability to allow you to apply for a new licence application and a PTA at the same time, however a PTA applied for with a new weapons licence case reference number may be rejected if the determination of the licence is not decided prior to the PTA being actioned.

Will the fees be cheaper if I apply online?

Standard fees apply for weapons licensing and are governed by legislation. For further information please see Weapons licensing fees.

How do I pay for my online application?

You are able to securely pay for your online application using a valid credit/debit Visa or Mastercard on the declaration and payment screen.

Payment for your application must be received in full to successfully submit your application to Weapons Licensing.

How long will it take to complete my online form?

The amount of time it takes to complete the online forms varies depending on the type and complexity of your application. However, WAO applications once successfully submitted are received at Weapons Licensing instantly. This allows the whole application process to be completed without unnecessary delay.

Please note: Your application will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity and you will have to start the application again. The application cannot be saved and must be completed and paid for in full for a successful submission.

Do the online forms have the same questions as the paper based applications

The WAO applications have the same questions as the paper based form, however the WAO applications have mandatory fields that must be completed so as to not hinder the processing of the applications.

What happens after I apply using WAO?

After your application has been submitted and successful payment received, you can expect the following to occur:

your application is submitted directly to Weapons Licensing
a confirmation email is sent to the email provided during the online application containing your application case reference and your payment receipt number. A copy of this email should be kept for your records
for a new licence application, within 24 hours, you will also receive advice that you need to attend an Australia Post outlet to complete your proof of identity check and have your photo taken
your proof of identity check must be completed within 28 days of lodgement of your application. Failure to complete your proof of identity check will result in your application being void and the application may be withdrawn for a full refund. If your application is withdrawn, you are able to resubmit your application immediately if you have the means
if you have not uploaded all required documentation to your application ensure you supply the documentation to Weapons Licensing, quoting your reference number. Your application can not be fully processed until all required documents are received
Weapons Licensing will begin to assess your application and should it be required, a member of Weapons Licensing may contact you regarding your application
Weapons Licensing will complete the assessment of your application and you will be notified of the outcome.

Can I still apply for a new licence at a police station?

No. You are encouraged to attend a local participating Post Office as this will assist Weapons Licensing to process your application more efficiently.

In circumstances where you are more than 100kms from a participating Australia Post Office, Queensland police stations can take lodgement of your new licence application. In this circumstance please contact Weapons Licensing so they can make arrangements for you to lodge your application at a Police Station.

Can I still apply for a PTA or Renewal at a police station?

Yes. You can still apply for a licence renewal or PTA at a Queensland police station; this process will not change. Your application, together with the supporting documentation and applicable fee, can be lodged in person.

Who can I contact about my application?