Thank you for your interest in our sport. Most of the information you need can be found below but you should also visit https://fas.police.tas.gov.au/ .  It is recommended that you visit one of our ranges to have the process and options explained to you. Wednesday evenings at the AIF Rifle Range after 6.30 pm would be an ideal time as it is a session specifically set up to help new shooters. Alternatively, you might like to visit the Mitchell Handgun Range on a Saturday morning after 10am.

To use a firearm for target shooting you must have been a resident in Australia for five years and either have a current Firearm’s Licence, a Minor’s Permit (if you are under 18) or an Exemption which is a temporary licence permitting you to shoot on a range named on the Exemption for a period of six months. Club firearms are available.

If you are an adult and keen to start shooting as soon as possible, we suggest that you apply for an Exemption at the earliest opportunity. The Exemption Application Form will need to be witnessed by a club official and takes some weeks to be processed by Firearm’s Service. When you receive your Exemption Number, you are welcome to shoot with club firearms. Your first shoot is free but after that there is a $17 range fee each day you shoot. (Concessions are available). Fifty rounds of ammunition costs $10 for rimfire and about $44 for centrefire. There is no charge to use club firearms.

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At the same time, you can begin the process for a licence application. You will need to demonstrate that you are a member of an approved club such as SSAA Glenorchy. You can join at www.ssaa.org.au making sure that you nominate SSAA Glenorchy as your preferred branch. You will also need to submit, with your licence application, a completed Exchange of Information Form which also needs to be witnessed by a club official.

After you submit your licence application form, together with proof of club membership (SSAA letter or Membership Card) and the Exchange of Information Form you will be sent a list of dates from which you can select a time to sit the Firearm’s Safety Course(s) which costs a few hundred dollars but is relatively easy to pass.

 

People under the age of 18 years cannot apply for a full firearms licence, however special Minor’s Permits are available from Service Tasmania. Minor’s Permits authorise persons under the age of 18 years to possess or use a firearm under the supervision of a licence holder or person approved to supervise the use of firearms for receiving instruction in the safe use of firearms or target shooting on an approved range.

There are two types of minor’s permits available. The first is for a minor aged 12-14 years and allows them to shoot on an approved range only. The second is for a minor aged 14-18 and allows the option to shoot on an approved range or to receive instruction in the safe use of a firearm in the field with a supervisor. Before any minor can shoot in the field, they must complete the Course in Firearms Safety. It is also a requirement of a minor’s permit for in-field shooting that the young person must be supervised by a full firearms licence holder, who has held their licence continuously for a period of at least one year.

Sounds a lot but the first step is to understand the process by talking to a club official.