Has anyone imported firearms into Australia before? I'm a sports shooter (target & long range shooting) and own several pistols, rifles and a pump-action shotgun and would like to continue my hobby in Australia.
So I've learned there is federal and state-level regulation. All weapons must adhere to the state regulation, and for some approval from the attorney-general (for example for the pump-action shotgun).
I'm really looking for the correct order to pick up my hobby in Australia, so to not get myself in any trouble :-)
Verify that all to be imported firearms adhere to state law, and sell those off which don't
Find a firearms dealer who is willing to receive the firearms after import
File Form B709A for category A, B & C firearms and Form B709D for category H firearms to state police and request attorney-general permission for category C & H firearms
Look into, and adhere to airline firearm transport requirements
Join an approved target shooting club (and clay target shooting club for category
Complete firearms safety training
Request personal firearms license for category A, B firearms & probationary pistol licence for category H firearms
Request permits for category A, B firearms, and pick those up from firearms dealer (from step 2)
Complete pistol safety training
After 6 months, request permits for (max 2, either centrefire or rimfire, but not both) category H firearms, and pick those up from firearms dealer (from step 2)
After 1 year, request a Category H Sport/Target Shooting Licence, and pick up rest of category H firearms at firearms dealer
Some questions;
Is this sequence correct and am I not missing anything?
How long is the police certification (requested by form B709A/D) valid?
Is a foreign (non-Australian) proof of safety training transferable?
Is it common to pay storage fees to the firearms dealer?
Are firearms transported to the firearms dealer by the DIBP?
Looking forward to your own experiences :-)