National Gun Buyback Scheme
In December 2025, the Commonwealth government announced the rollout of a national gun buyback scheme. The scheme aims to remove illegal firearms, surplus firearms and recently banned firearms from the community. This page outlines the national gun buyback scheme.
Legislation
The provisions that set up the buyback scheme are set out in the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026.
How does it work?
Under the scheme, a person who has lawful possession of a firearm may surrender the firearm to a police station or collection point. A person who has illegal firearms may also surrender them without penalty.
Persons who surrender firearms will be paid for the firearms at market price, based on the condition, type and category of firearm. This will be funded mostly by the Commonwealth government, with some contributions from state governments.
The firearms will be destroyed by the police.
Legal protections
Any person who surrenders a firearm through the buyback scheme at a designated collection point will be immune from criminal liability for possessing that firearm. This includes illegal firearms and firearms that have recently been banned.
When a person surrenders a firearm, they will be provided with a receipt. This receipt should be kept as proof that the firearm was surrendered.
If a person fails to surrender illegal firearms or firearms that have recently been banned during the period of the buyback scheme and continues to possess them, they may subsequently be prosecuted for an offence.
A person who surrenders a firearm through the buyback scheme is not immune from criminal liability for other offences in relation to that firearm – for example, if the firearm has been used in the commission of an offence, they may still be prosecuted in relation to the incident.
A person who surrenders a firearm in a jurisdiction that is not participating in the buyback scheme should seek legal advice in relation to legal protections.
Jurisdiction
The national gun buyback scheme is a Commonwealth scheme in which most states and territories are participating.
Participating states and territories are responsible for the collection of firearms. This will occur at approved collection points and through authorised state and territory arrangements.
Some states and territories have indicated that they are opposed to the scheme or are undecided about participating.
The scheme is set to operate from January 2026 to January 2028.
If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Go To Court Lawyers.
Fernanda Dahlstrom is a writer, editor and lawyer. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Latrobe University), a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (College of Law), a Bachelor of Arts (The University of Melbourne) and a Master of Arts (Deakin University). Fernanda practised law for eight years, working in criminal law, child protection and domestic violence law in the Northern Territory, and in family law in Queensland.