Licensed firearm dealers play an important role in maintaining community safety while they trade in firearms, ammunition, parts and accessories. Should you wish to apply for a dealer licence please read the following information.
Firearm dealers are subject to strict licence conditions. There are reporting and record keeping requirements in addition to the acquisition and disposal of firearms. All firearm dealers and their employees must meet fit and proper standards.
Licensed firearms dealer classes
There are four licence classes for firearms dealers. The class of licence determines what type of firearms the licence holder may trade in.
Note: All licensed firearm dealers may sell ammunition.
Application process
If you are interested in becoming a licensed firearms dealer please email the Licensing and Regulation Division and request a firearm dealer application pack.
Prospective applicants should be aware that the process for obtaining a firearm dealer licence is extensive and the submission of an application does not guarantee approval.
We strongly discourage any financial investment before a firearm dealer licence has been finalised or approved.
As part of your application, you may be asked to provide:
- business plans including method of sales (e.g. wholesale, retail), operating capacity (part-time, full-time) and activities
- evidence of financial viability certified by a chartered accountant or certified practicing accountant
- evidence of public liability insurance
- evidence of experience with firearms
- details of trading premises and local council approval
- details of storage arrangements
- fingerprints and national criminal history checks for all close associates and employees of the proposed business; and
- any other information that may be relevant to the application.
Existing licensed firearms dealers
Renewing your licence
A renewal application package will be posted to you 12 weeks before the expiry of your licence. You will be sent a reminder letter advising that it is time to renew your licence 12 weeks before your licence expires.
Hire and loan of firearms
While the hire and loan of firearms is not encouraged by Victoria Police, there may be circumstances in which a firearm dealer may choose to do so.
If a licensed firearm dealer chooses to undertake a hire or loan agreement with a licence holder (including a licence holder who is also an employee of the licensed firearm dealer) they must ensure that:
- The person holds the appropriate licence for the category of firearm they wish to hire or loan.
- 28 days or more have passed since the issue of their licence.
- They already have a firearm registered to their licence.
Terms of hire or loan agreements
- The period of the hire or loan must not exceed 30 days unless the hirer or loanee has applied in writing to the firearm dealer for an extension of the hire or loan.
- The extension of any hire or loan arrangement must not exceed 30 days.
- The total hire or loan period must not exceed a total of 60 days (one initial maximum 30-day loan + one extension of maximum 30 days).
Administration of the hire or loan arrangement
- All parties should keep a record of the agreement.
- The terms of the agreement should be clear, including the requirement to return the firearm within a maximum 30-day period.
- Firearm dealers must ensure the return of the firearm on or prior to the end of the agreement.
If the firearm is not returned to the firearm dealer the matter is to be immediately referred to Victoria Police.
Posting firearms
Firearm dealers may only send firearms or firearms to other licensed firearm dealers.
Firearm dealers who send firearms or firearm parts by post within or outside Victoria must comply with requirements regarding packaging, labelling, transit and delivery of the firearm or firearm parts.
They must ensure that:
- any package containing a firearm or firearms parts is labelled in a way that does not identify the contents of the package, and
- use a postal service or other courier service that electronically tracks the movement and delivery of the package and requires the firearms dealer to whom the package is sent to personally receive the package.
Dealer reference guide
If you would like a copy of the Dealer Reference Guide, please email us at lrd@police.vic.gov.au.
Contact us
Get in touch about firearms licensing through our online enquiry form.
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