New Members - Start Your Shooting Journey Here!
We’re excited to welcome you to the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia ACT Inc. (SSAA ACT Inc.) — the home of the most diverse offering of the shooting sports in the ACT region!
Whether you’re completely new to shooting or an experienced firearms enthusiast, joining SSAA ACT Inc. connects you with a passionate, responsible, and supportive community.
Who We Are
SSAA ACT Inc. is a proud member of Australia’s largest shooting sports organisation, the SSAA Inc., representing a wide range of disciplines and promoting safe, fun, and responsible firearms use. Our facilities and programs are designed to suit shooters of all backgrounds, skill levels, and interests — from beginners to seasoned competitors.
The SSAA ACT Inc. is run completely by volunteers who are committed to ensuring members are supported in all aspects of their shooting.
Benefits of Your Membership
Access to World-Class Facilities
Enjoy use of the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex — including rifle, pistol, and shotgun ranges.Participation in Diverse Disciplines
Explore a range of shooting sports: target pistol, cowboy action, practical shooting, shotgun sports, benchrest, field rifle, air rifle, hunting, and more.Events and Competitions
Get involved in discipline and club shoots, matches, and national competitions.- Public Liability and Personal Injury Insurance
For legal recreational hunting and shooting activities both on and off the range. Optional Firearms Protection
For an additional $35.00 per year members can access Firearms Mutual Protection to receive up to $25,000 of firearms and fixed accessory coverage
Getting Started
Purchase a Range Pass
After joining SSAA ACT Inc., attend the Main Range Office to purchase an Annual Range Pass. These passes provide unlimited access to the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex.Ask Questions
Our friendly volunteers will walk you through range rules, safe firearm handling, and the opportunities available at the club.Start Shooting!
You’re welcome to attend General Members days, participate in competitions, or just enjoy the sport at your own pace.
Important Resources for New Members
Need Help?
Our team is here to make your entry into the shooting sports community smooth and enjoyable.
If you have any questions about your membership, the club, or getting started, please reach out to us by using the Contact Form or call the Main Range Office on 0400 138 955.
We look forward to seeing you at the range!
Welcome to SSAA ACT Inc. — where your shooting journey begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to come to the range to sight in my rifle, or shoot at targets, when can I do this?
The SSAA ACT Inc. range is open to all SSAA members to shoot when there is a general member session.
General members require a range pass, this is $15.00 for SSAA members or $25.00 for non-members. If you are SSAA member you will need your membership card. Firearms licences must be shown to the Range Officers.
When you attend the range, the Main Range is directly in front of you as you come up the driveway, the carpark is to the right and the range office through the tunnel up the ramp.
Occasionally, the General Members Sessions are moved to a different range to facilitate major competitions. When this happens there will be signage to point you in the right direction.
I want to get a firearms licence, what is the process?
To obtain a firearms licence in the ACT, there a number of steps that you must follow. These are detailed here:
Step One: Become a member an approved club
If your genuine reason to obtain a firearms licence is for target shooting, you must be a member of an approved firearms club. The SSAA ACT Inc. is an approved firearms clubs for both ACT and NSW licence applications.
Being a member of an approved club also provides public liability insurance if you are hunting out in the field, in a State Forest or private property.
Step Two: Complete a Firearms Safety Training Course
SSAA ACT Inc. holds regular Category A and B firearms safety courses, and more information can be found here: Safety Course – SSAA ACT Inc. All the information you need is on this web page. Please make sure you complete all the required reading prior to attending.
Firearms shops in Canberra also offer these safety courses; it is best to contact them to check they are still running the courses.
Safety Courses are also required for Category H licences. These training courses are conducted by SSAA ACT Inc. Pistol Clubs. More information about the SSAA ACT Inc. Pistol Clubs can be found on the SSAA ACT Inc. Discipline and Club web site: Disciplines/Clubs/Sections – SSAA ACT Inc
Step Three: Applying to the Firearms Registry
The ACT Firearms Registry is located in Mitchell. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 3:00pm. Bookings must be made to submit licence applications.
With your licence application you will need to provide:
-Completed licence application form;
-Completed Safety Course Certificate;
-Proof of Firearms Club membership;
-Land Owners Permission form with proof of property size, if applying for recreational hunting licence using property as support;
-Required Identification; and
-Receipt for payment of licence (paid through Access Canberra).
Useful links
ACT Firearms Registry: https://police.act.gov.au/community-safety/firearms
ACT Firearms Licencing Information: https://police.act.gov.au/community-safety/firearms/firearms-licences
ACT Firearms Storage information: https://police.act.gov.au/community-safety/firearms/storage
ACT Firearms Forms: https://police.act.gov.au/community-safety/firearms/firearms-licences/firearms-forms
Access Canberra Licence payment: https://forms.act.gov.au/smartforms/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=1009-firearms
How do I become a member of SSAA ACT Inc.?
The SSAA is a national confederate with State bodies, and branches and ranges in all states and territories. Your membership to SSAA allows you to use all SSAA ranges and only pay a minimal attendance fee per usage (fee varies from range to range). Most, including ACT, offer a yearly range pass for unlimited attendance throughout the year.
To become a member of the SSAA ACT Inc. you need to complete the application form through SSAA Inc. To apply for membership, go to this link:
I need to update my membership details, how do I do this?
Updating your membership details is simple.
You can email the National Membership office here: membership@ssaa.org.au You will need to provide them with your membership number for them to be able to locate your membership.
You can also change your details by using the online “Change of Details” form. This form can be found here: Change Membership Details
The SSAA ACT Inc. use your email address to send out important information, including notices of Annual General Meetings. The email address used by the club is supplied to us as part of your membership by SSAA Inc. Any updates to your membership details are via the SSAA National Membership office.
How do I travel with firearms in the ACT?
When transporting firearms a person must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the firearm is stored safely. Section 52A of the Firearms Regulation 2008 provides what a person must do to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken:
The Firearm must:
(a) not be loaded with, and must be kept separate from, any ammunition; and
(b) if the firearm is being transported using a vehicle other than a motorcycle—
(i) be rendered temporarily incapable of being fired; or
Examples (1) by removing the bolt or the firing mechanism (2) by using a restraining device such as a trigger lock.
(ii) be stored in—
(A) a securely locked container that is securely attached to the vehicle; or
(B) a securely locked compartment within the vehicle; and
(c) if the firearm is being transported using a motorcycle—be stored in a lockable hard-case pannier, luggage box or other container appropriate for transporting the firearm; and
(d) not be able to be seen by a person who is not responsible for transporting the firearm.
What are the requirements for firearm storage in the ACT?
When storing firearms a person must ensure that they take reasonable steps to ensure that a firearm is stored safety, is not lost or stolen, and that the firearm does not come into the possession of someone not authorised to possess the firearm.
All firearms must be stored in an appropriate safe and with the firing mechanism removed, if at all possible.
For less than 10 Category A and B firearms the relevant section of the Firearms Regulations is Section 46.
For more than 10 Category A and B firearms a person must store their firearms in a safe described in Section 47 (c).
A person who owns Category C, D or H firearms must comply with the requirements of Section 47.
Any person seeking more information is encouraged to speak with the ACT Firearms Registry directly.
Useful links are:
- ACT Firearms Storage information: https://police.act.gov.au/community-safety/firearms/storage
I need a club stamp for my licence application, where do I get this?
Range Officers at the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex are able to stamp licence applications for SSAA ACT Inc. members whose genuine reason is recreational hunting or target shooting for Category A and B licences.
You need to take your licence application and membership card with you to the Range Office.
Can unlicensed persons shoot on the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex?
Unlicensed persons can only shoot under the immediate supervision of a SSAA ACT Inc. Authorised Instructor. An unlicensed person cannot be supervised by another licensed person in the ACT.
Some of our Range Officers are authorised instructors, however they may, at their discretion, decide not to supervise shooting by unlicensed persons.
What are the costs to use the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex?
Any person shooting on the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex, as a general member or as a member of a Discipline or Club, must hold either a Range Pass or pay the daily range fee.
Any SSAA member may purchase an Annual Range Pass. These cost $70.00 per year and provide unlimited access to the whole SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex, regardless of the range a person is shooting on.
SSAA members who do not want to purchase an Annual Range Pass can pay the daily range fee. The fee for SSAA members for a daily range pass is $15.00 per person, per attendance.
The Range Fee for non-SSAA members who use any part of the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex is $25.00 per person, per attendance. Non-SSAA members are not able to purchase an annual Range Pass.
Can I bring friends or family out to the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Complex?
Yes, but they cannot shoot unless they are licenced or under the supervision of a SSAA ACT Inc. Authorised Instructor.
Any visitor must sign in to the SSAA ACT Inc. Range Attendance system, even if they are not shooting.
If a visitor has a firearms licence and is shooting, they must pay the range fee or they can purchase an Annual Range Pass is they are a SSAA member.
What is a discipline and how do I pick one?
Disciplines talk about the various shooting styles and rules. The SSAA ACT Inc. hosts various SSAA ACT Inc. Clubs that shoot different disciplines.
Choosing one can be difficult and it all comes down to personal preference. You do not need to just pick one, though; you can join as many as you want. Each Club has different membership fees and most offer ‘come and try’ options.
More information about the disciplines of SSAA ACT Inc. can be found on the Discipline, Club and Section web page here: Disciplines/Clubs/Sections – SSAA ACT Inc
What are the options for Junior Shooters?
The SSAA ACT Inc. has a Junior Development Section that runs through the school term. Information about the Junior Development Section can be found here: Junior Development Section – SSAA ACT Inc
The SSAA ACT Inc. Disciplines and Clubs also have options for junior shooters.