- What are the benefits as a registered firearms owner?
The National Firearms Register (NFR) creates an opportunity to improve national consistency for firearms management. Greater consistency, and other efficiencies achieved through system upgrades and digitising portals, will improve firearm owners’, industry, and dealer experience.
- I have registered my firearms in the NT for quite some time, do I need to present this information again?
Yes, as part of the NFR project, we require all firearms licence holders to complete the self-check form which includes providing updated photos of your firearms.
This will enable records to be checked before they are uploaded to the NFR, giving peace of mind to licence holders that their information is complete and in accordance with the NFR requirements.
- If firearm legislation is effected by a National Firearms Register, are there plans to align all state and territory licence fees? Does a National Firearms register affect legislation surrounding Storage, Categorisation for Licensing and ownership?
Changes to legislation and regulations will focus on optimising the register's operation, including the establishment of National Data Standards, promoting consistent business practices, and facilitating the access to and exchange of information within the NFR.
State and territory governments will continue to oversee all aspects of firearm licensing, possession, storage, and usage, while the Commonwealth will remain in charge of regulating the import and export of firearms.
Licence holders will be given an opportunity to provide feedback on all planned legislative and regulatory changes.
- Who would have access to the National Firearms Register? How would this access be protected?
The NFR is only for law enforcement and select government agencies, it will not be accessible by the general public. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission which will operate the NFR, currently operate a number of highly sensitive national policing systems.
The NFR will operate in accordance with established safeguards that govern access to and use of information in Australian policing information systems.
- How much will we pay each year?
It is not anticipated that the NFR initiative will cause any changes to current fees or charges. Fees and charges will remain the responsibility of the individual states and territories and any changes to legislation are intended to be confined to enabling the administration of the NFR.
- Sounds like a scam...prove you are real
The NFR is a nationwide initiative. For concerns about the veracity of our email or the project, please visit https://pfes.nt.gov.au/police/firearmsweapons/national-firearms-register
You do not need to click on the link provided if you have concerns, but rather by accessing it on your browser. On that page you will find information about the project, why it is happening and will, hopefully, allay any concerns you may have.
- I note the requirement to complete the National Firearms Register but I am currently away. When do I need to do this by?
At present, no specific due date has been set but licence holders are expected to complete the request as soon as possible. Licence holders are reminded that conditions of their licence include compliance with requests made by Northern Territory Police in relation to firearms.
- I have multiple firearms, do I have to do them all at once?
No, you do not. If you are unable to submit photos of all your firearms at once, you can return to the form multiple times to complete your submissions. This can include over multiple days. If you would like to complete intermittently then you may do so.
- I have a licence but I do not own any firearms so why am I receiving this correspondence?
As you are licence holder, the communication was provided to you for awareness should you purchase a firearm in the future. If you do not currently own any firearms, you do not need to do anything.
- Why do photos of our firearms need to be taken? Isn’t the registration certificate enough?
The project involves a visual inspection of the physical firearms to confirm their make and model, ensuring alignment with the national data standards before uploading the information into the national firearms register. Additionally, the five required photographs is the minimum we need to enable correct identification of the firearm.
- What happens if the serial number is too small to be seen and I don’t have a camera good enough to take a clear photo?
Try and take a photo with the serial number as clear as possible. Once submitted, the Data entry team will review and if additional photos or information is required, the team will be in contact.
To assist in what is needed to take photographs, a ‘how to take good photos’ guide has been developed and is available on the National Firearms Register website.
- Will other jurisdictions follow the same approach as the NT?
Each jurisdiction is responsible for establishing mechanisms to ensure the alignment of firearms records, before they are uploaded into the NFR. The means in which they will achieve this will be done in a manner that will reflect the unique realities of each jurisdiction.
- Once I’ve submitted the firearms self-check form, will I need to do this again or is it a once off activity?
This is a once off activity. There is no indication that any additional information will be needed to align our records with the National Data Standards.
- Will there be a new registration certificate issues if there are changes to the make & model of my Firearm?
Yes, if there are significant changes made, a new Registration Certification will be sent to the firearms licence holder.
- How will the people complete their self-check form if they don't have devices to enable them to do so?
They can contact the NFR team by calling or emailing for assistance. If further help and support is needed, we can schedule a visit to the licence holder to complete the check.
- What if I accidently take a photo of my partners firearm and upload it in my Firearms Self-check form?
The project team will pick this up in the validation process and will contact you to let you know that there is an additional photo/firearm.
The photo will be removed from your submission and can then be used when your partner completes the form.
- What will happen if I don’t complete the Firearms self-check form?
There will be a number of reminders and opportunities for firearms owners to complete the self-check form over the coming months.
Further communications will be sent to those who have not completed their firearms self-check form.
- If I provide photographs of my firearms, how do I know that they are secure?
The photographs being provided via the self-check form are stored and secured with strict access controls for viewing. They are not broadly available beyond the project team and are stored with the same levels of security as all other policing records.
- Does the NFR mean that we will be taking the same licensing approach as Western Australia?
No. As each jurisdiction remains responsible for all aspects of firearm licensing, possession, storage, and usage, the Northern Territory will continue to ensure that legislative changes are only implemented after consultation with licence holders and other key stakeholders. Legislative changes as part of NFR will not include wholesale changes to the licensing regime and will not implement limitations on the number of firearms that can be owned.
- Why do I have to resubmit all my details on the form? You already have my name, licence number and serial numbers of my firearms.
The self-check form requires you to enter your name, licence number and serial number in order to align with the submission of the photographs to the right record in the firearms registry system.
- Why has my fellow firearms owner from another state never heard of the NFR?
Whilst this is a national initiative, each jurisdiction is moving at different rates. Even though this is happening, there is collaboration between all the partner agencies to work towards achieving the benefits sought from the NFR.
If you would like to read more about the Commonwealth NFR approach, more information can be found at: National Firearms Register | Attorney-General's Department- If NFR is national, what is happening in other states?
The table below shows what is happening across the country as part of the NFR.
National AGD National AGD held information sessions in February 2025 with importers who frequently use its firearms import permit portal to discuss proposed improvements and the technical functionality of the permit application system for firearms and firearm-related articles requiring import permission from the department. AGD has held information sessions with 15 national groups and bodies, with more planned ACT The ACT Government has commenced targeted engagement with firearms dealers and the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia ACT Inc. to map their user journeys. Stakeholders can expect to hear more in the coming months. SA South Australia Police (SAPOL) has commenced interviews with firearm dealers, frontline police officers and firearms branch working groups to inform system design. SAPOL will also be undertaking a survey of licence holders to provide an opportunity for the community to have input into the design of new digital services. NSW The NSW Police Force is utilising existing firearms forums to provide updates on the NFR to firearms dealers, users, firearms club officials, advocacy groups and the general public. WA The Western Australia Police Force commenced stakeholder engagement as part of the WA firearms reforms in 2014, and in 2025 has continued to engage with firearms dealers, advocacy groups and the general public across existing firearms forums. TAS Tasmania Police has commenced engagement with Firearms Services and other state government agencies to inform design of future requirements. Engagement with the firearms community will commence in March, with information already available on the Tasmania Police Firearms Services webpage. VIC Victoria Police is utilising existing firearms consultative forums as part of NFR stakeholder engagement activities. QLD Queensland Police Service will commence information sharing campaigns in the coming months. - I submitted my form and I have received a new registration certificate for my firearm. Why has this happened? I haven't changed the firearm I have.
Using your submission, the firearm record may be updated to ensure it meets the standard required to be uplifted to the NFR. Where the record has had a change that should be recorded on the certificate, a new certificate is issued. If you do not receive an updated registration certificate it means that no significant changes have been made to the firearm record.
- When I upload the photos, I noticed the photo that is uploaded on the form is distorted. Do I need to re-upload it?
No, although the photos that are uploaded look distorted, we have confirmed that the photo has been clearly uploaded and it’s not impacting the quality of the photos.
- I have purchased a new firearm. Do I need to do a self-check form?
Dealers will complete a transaction receipt for your new firearm but completing a self-check form will ensure that the details of the firearm purchased are recorded accurately and templated correctly.
- How often will I receive newsletter updates?
NFR newsletters will be sent out quarterly with the first edition having just been released on 2 June 2025. They will also be available to view on the NFR website at National Firearms Register | NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services
- When will we see changes in the legislation?
Legislation is currently being reviewed with changes likely needed for the NFR as well as to improve the general operation of the Firearms Act and Firearms Regulations. The NFR Project team is committed to making this process transparent and consultative and will keep the community up to date as progress is made.
Didn’t find what you are looking for? Get in touch by emailing NationalFirearmsRegister@pfes.nt.gov.au