Understanding the National Buyback and Its Impact on ACT Licence Holders
The Commonwealth’s National Gun Buyback Scheme is moving ahead, with New South Wales the first jurisdiction to sign on. The ACT Government has publicly indicated it is “very forward leaning on the buyback” and intends to sign up as soon as possible.
Background — nsw Scheme and national context
Here is what we know so far about the NSW Buyback Scheme:
NSW Participation and Timing
Start Date: NSW will commence the National Gun Buyback Scheme on 2 November 2026, administered by NSW Police
Cost-sharing: The Commonwealth and NSW have agreed to share buyback costs 50:50, with the Commonwealth fully funding destrcution costs.
“New South Wales will be the first state to commence the Commonwealth Government’s National Gun Buyback Scheme, with both governments agreeing to share the costs of the buyback 50:50.”
NSW first to get national gun buyback underway, Media release, Prime Minister of Australia, Sunday 16 August 2026
NSW Firearm Caps and Reforms
Individual cap: Maximum 4 firearms per individual licence holder.
Higher cap: Up to 10 firearms for primary producers and sporting shooters.
Other changes: Reclassification of some firearms, stronger background checks, and licence periods reduced from five years to two.
Fixed Price Schedule (Phase 1 – NSW)
NSW has published a fixed price schedule for Phase 1 of the buyback:
| Type | Sub-Type | Payment under Buyback Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Pistol | Revolver | $1,000 |
| Pistol | Self-loading | $850 |
| Shotgun | Double Barrel | $850 |
| Shotgun | Single Barrel | $650 |
| Rifle | Centrefire | $1,000 |
| Rifle | Rimfire | $600 |
| Rifle | Air | $450 |
Phase 2 will provide a pathway for “higher value” firearms with indicative market value above $3,000, capped at $10,000 per firearm, and will require an application and the payment of a fee.
ACT position – what the Minister has said
Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, ACT Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, confirmed on ABC Canberra Radio on 17 August 2026 that:
— The Prime Minister has written to the Chief Minister – and other heads of States - seeking agreement to the National Firearms Agreement and buyback.
— The ACT has introduced legislation to support aspects of the buyback, including a cap on the number of firearms.
— The ACT has not yet signed the agreement, but “will look to sign that as soon as possible”. The ACT Government is negotiating a 75:25 cost share arrangement with the Commonwealth.
“We have introduced legislation into the Assembly to support aspects of the buyback, including a cap on the number of firearms… we haven’t signed the agreement yet, but we will look to sign that as soon as possible.”
Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
On compensation, the Minister stated:
“There is a fixed price schedule to the buyback… The Commonwealth has also agreed to evaluations, exceptions, pathways… for people that have firearms of higher value, so above $3000, [who] will be able to seek an increased amount of compensation for their firearm.”
Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
The Minister also emphasised that ACT firearms owners are law abiding citizens and that the scheme will operate within a national, consistent framework:
“At the end of the day, these are law abiding citizens… there will need to be firearms that are surrendered through this scheme and compensation for them… it does need to be consistent across the country.”
Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
SSAA ACT concerns – impact on ACT licence holders
Nicole, SSAA ACT Inc. Secretary, also spoke on ABC Canberra Radio on 17 August 2026 about what the NSW model and the proposed ACT buyback mean for ACT members.
1. Law-Abiding Owners Bearing The Cost
The Secretary highlighted that the scheme targets compliant owners rather than criminal misuse:
“The people that are going to be impacted by the buyback are those law-abiding firearms owners, who would be surrendering sporting equipment and tools of the trade as opposed to targeting… criminal elements that are the biggest risk to public safety when we’re talking about firearms.”
Nicole, Secretary, SSAA ACT Inc.
For ACT Members, this means:
— The financial burden falls on owners who have complied with existing laws, not on those engaged in criminal activity.
2. Caps and Genuine Reasons Not Properly Recognised
It was noted by the Secretary that NSW’s cap of four firearms (10 for farmers, sport and pro shooters) does not reflect the reality of multiple genuine reasons and disciplines:
“There are multiple reasons, genuine reasons, for owning firearms and some sporting disciplines require the use of more than the 10 simply to be able to compete.”
Nicole, Secretary, SSAA ACT Inc.
Key implications for ACT owners:
- Multi discipline competitors may require more than 10 firearms to participate fully.
- Different genuine reasons (sporting, pest control, meat harvesting, collection) often require different types of firearms that are not interchangeable.
- A simple numeric cap risks undermining legitimate sporting and professional activity.
3. Fixed Price Schedule and Valuation Gaps
Serious concerns were also raised about the compensation structure, particularly the gap between $1,000 and $3,000 and the cap at $10,000:
“You’ve got a fixed price schedule that ranges from between $450 to $1000 and then you’ve got a gap of between $1000 and $3000 where… the vast majority of firearms values fall… The exemption area… means that you have to apply, pay a fee and essentially hope that the value… will come back with a value that is market value.”
Nicole, Secretary, SSAA ACT Inc.
“If you have firearms that are valued at over $10,000, the maximum you would get is $10,000… firearms are very much like cars… ranging from $100 right up to… custom collectors pieces that could fetch over $200,000.”
Nicole, Secretary, SSAA ACT Inc.
For ACT owners, this likely means:
— Most common sporting and hunting firearms (often in the $1,000–$3,000 range) may receive significantly less than market value under a fixed schedule.
— Owners of high value or custom firearms could face substantial uncompensated loss due to the $10,000 cap.
— Valuation pathways may involve fees, delays and uncertainty, with no guarantee of true market value.
— Accessories, ammunition and other attachments have not been discussed in what is publicly available at this time.
4. Forced Compliance Despite Financial Loss
The mis-conception that licensed, law abiding firearms owners would transfer their legal firearms to the black market was also addressed.
“At the end of the day, we’re law abiding firearms owners and that means we abide by the law, regardless of whether we’re getting the short end of the stick… we’ll comply. We have no option… [we] will be forced to carry the financial penalties of essentially what was somebody else’s crime.”
Nicole, Secretary, SSAA ACT Inc.
What SSAA ACT is doing
SSAA ACT Inc. has been engaging with the Minister and will continue to advocate strongly for members' interests:
Ongoing engagement: The Secretary noted that while the fixed price schedule was first heard “this morning listening back to Dr Paterson”, SSAA ACT Inc. expects and will seek further discussions:
“We haven’t had the opportunity to discuss the concerns with Dr Paterson, but we do trust that we will have the opportunity to be able to do that because she has been open to hearing from us about the concerns.”
Nicole, Secretary, SSAA ACT Inc.
Our key advocacy points:
- Recognition of multiple genuine reasons and sporting disciplines requiring more than the proposed caps.
- Fair, market based compensation, particularly for firearms in the $1,000–$3,000 range and for high value firearms.
- Minimising financial penalties on law abiding owners and ensuring any ACT scheme does not simply copy NSW’s shortcomings.
- Clear, transparent processes for valuation, appeals and exemptions.
- Review the NSW scheme details, including the fixed price schedule and Phase 2 arrangements, via the NSW Government’s National Gun Buyback Scheme page.
- Follow SSAA ACT Inc. legislative action updates on our website for ACT specific information: Legislative Action
- Follow our Facebook page for more regular updates: Sporting Shooters Association of Australia ACT Inc. If you aren’t on Facebook, bookmark the page — it is a public page and can still be viewed.
- List your firearms, their approximate market value, and the genuine reasons/licence categories under which you hold them.
- Identify firearms that may be affected by the legislation and firearms that are specialised for particular disciplines or professional uses and cannot be easily replaced.
- Keep receipts, valuations, competition records and professional use evidence to support any future compensation claims or exemption applications.
- For higher value firearms, consider obtaining independent valuations ahead of any ACT scheme.
- When consultation opportunities arise, make submissions and share practical examples of how caps and fixed pricing would affect your sporting, hunting, professional or collecting activities.
- Encourage other members to provide clear, factual information rather than speculation—this strengthens our collective advocacy.
We will continue to monitor developments at National Cabinet and in the ACT Legislative Assembly and will provide further updates as details of the progression of the ACT Bill become available.
What our members should do now
1. Stay Informed
2. Audit your firearms and genuine reasons
3. Document Value and Usage
4. Engage constructively
Our commitment
SSAA ACT Inc. will continue to:
Represent law-abiding Firearms owners
Represent law abiding ACT firearms owners in discussions with the ACT Government and relevant Commonwealth agencies. We will be meeting with the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services shortly and will continue to actively engage with key decision makers and stakeholders to represent the views and interests of our members and the broader shooting community.
Advocate for Evidence-based policy
Push for evidence based policy that genuinely improves public safety without unfairly penalising responsible owners.
Member Updates
Keep members updated as soon as new information on the ACT’s participation in the National Gun Buyback Scheme is available.
If you have specific examples of how proposed caps or compensation arrangements would affect you, please share them with SSAA ACT Inc. so we can incoporate real member impacts into our advocacy.
You can get in contact by emailing us directly at: info@ssaaact.org.au
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia ACT Inc.
Legislative Action – SSAA ACT Inc.