The National Gun Buyback Scheme has been established to support the safe removal of surplus and newly reclassified firearms from the community, while providing fair compensation to eligible firearms owners.
New South Wales is the first state to participate in the National Gun Buyback Scheme (the Buyback Scheme), with the NSW program scheduled to commence on 2 November 2026.
The Buyback Scheme is intended to cover:
- firearms that have been newly reclassified under firearms reforms
- firearms above new firearm ownership limits.
Firearms owners who wish to surrender eligible firearms will be able to access compensation through the Buyback Scheme, subject to the program's terms and conditions.
Only eligible, lawfully held firearms that fall within the scope of the scheme will qualify for compensation.
Illegal firearms are not eligible for compensation. Individuals wishing to surrender illegal firearms can do so through the
Permanent National Firearms Amnesty. This provides a safe and lawful pathway for surrender without compensation.
The Australian Government is continuing to work with state and territory governments to implement the Buyback Scheme across Australia.
Further information will be released as discussions with additional jurisdictions progress.
The Australian Government remains committed to achieving the broadest possible national participation in the Buyback Scheme to support a consistent and effective national approach to firearms reform.
More details, including eligibility requirements, compensation arrangements and commencement dates, will be published as they become available.
