When will my weapons licence application be processed?

Weapons licence applications are processed in the order they are received. Weapons Licensing will make a decision on your application as quickly as possible, subject to any mandatory waiting periods required by the Weapons Act 1990 and Weapons Regulation 2016.

The time it takes to process applications depends on the amount of new applications received each day and the complexity of the applications. As many as 66% of applications we receive are incomplete and it takes time to follow up and monitor these. This has a big impact on processing and turnaround times.

For current timeframes please refer to our homepage.

Make sure your application gets processed as fast as possible

Lodge your hard copy application in-person at Australia Post or using the Online portal.

The Queensland Police Service has partnered with Australia Post to update the way new weapons licence applications are lodged both online and in-person.

From now, new weapons licence applications and identity checks will be received via Australia Post.

Allow 20-25 weeks from the date of the application before following up

If there are exceptional circumstances, for example you need a licence urgently for your employment, email Weapons Licensing with your application reference number and detail your situation and requirements.

Let us know in writing if you change your contact details or address.

Please inform us in writing if you change your contact details or address during the application process.

You must let us know of any change in your personal details or circumstances within 14 days of the change. This includes any changes to your addresses (residential, postal and storage), contact details (home, mobile, work, fax or email address) and change of name.

You can update us online by using the  Online Change in Circumstance Form or complete a paper Form 4A.

You must also let us know within 14 days if:

there is a change to your mental or physical fitness
you receive a conviction of an offence mentioned in section 10B(2)(a) of the Weapons Act 1990
you are named as the respondent of a Police Protection Notice or Temporary Protection Order or a Domestic Violence Order either in Queensland or interstate.

You can email this information to Weapons Licensing.

If you have a change to any of the following details, you must notify us within 14 days via a paper Form 4B Change in Category/Conditions:

your reason or need for possessing or using a weapon, or
if there has been a revocation of your permission to shoot on a landowner’s rural land.

Get help from a club or dealer to prepare your application

We strongly encourage you to contact your local weapons club or dealer to help you complete your new licence application.

The club or dealer can assist you in gathering the required documentation and help you complete the weapons application online. This means your application is more likely to be complete and accurate, which means we can process it quicker.

Provide all the documentation required to support your genuine reason

Make sure you understand what’s required and have the correct supporting documents ready before you start your application.

Make sure you have access to appropriate safe storage

It’s your responsibility to ensure that your licensed weapons are not lost or stolen and do not otherwise come into the possession of people who should not have them. You need to tell us the address of the safe storage location too; failing to provide this address will result in delays.

Visit the safe storage section to learn more.

Answer all the questions on the application

A licence can be issued only if all questions have been answered. If you don’t complete the entire application in full, your application will be delayed while you are requested to complete the missing pages.

Complete your paper based applications electronically.

You are encouraged to complete this application electronically and print.

If you must write on the form instead, write in block letters clearly and legibly in Blue or Black pen in the spaces provided.

You should always ensure you complete all of the questions on the form.

Provide an up-to-date statement of attainment

You must show you have completed an approved safety training course for the relevant category of weapon.

Further information on the safety training course.

Provide passport-quality photographs

You must supply a passport-quality photograph which will be printed on your licence card.

When you lodge your application with Australia Post or perform your identity check, Australia Post will take a passport-quality photograph of you and supply this to Weapons Licensing free of charge to you. Having your photograph taken at the post office will ensure your photograph complies with passport standards.

Attending Australia Post with your identification 

If you applied online, you will be notified by Weapons Licensing via email that you need to complete your 'Next Steps' to have your application assessed by Weapons Licensing. Once you receive your email notification, you will need to ensure you have attended an Australia Post Outlet within 28 days of the lodgement of your application.

Please note, we use the email address you provide, so if you do not receive an email within 24 hours of the lodgement of your application you should check spam/ junk folders.

Further information on what proof of identity you need to supply.

If you cannot attend an Australia Post outlet

If you are outside 100km from an Australia Post outlet, you have the ability to lodge your application or perform your identity check at your local police station.

You may need to contact Weapons Licensing first to confirm whether you have the ability to lodge an application at your location station or if you have an Australia Post outlet which is convenient to you.

Locate participating Post Offices

Frequently asked questions relating to your lodgement or identity check at an Australia Post outlet

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