The new gun buyback scheme begins in NSW today.
It comes almost a year after the Bondi Beach terror attack.
NSW has become the first Australian jurisdiction to roll out the National Gun Buyback Scheme.
The Federal Government introduced the scheme after the Bondi Beach terror attack initiated a national conversation about gun laws.
The ACT is the only other jurisdiction that has committed to the buyback, which requires state and territory governments to split the cost of the scheme with the Federal Government.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said almost every appointment to surrender guns is booked for the next month.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
On 14 December 2025, 15 innocent people were killed in a terrorist attack at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach.
Police shot one of the alleged attackers dead at the scene.
The other, Naveed Akram, has been charged with 78 offences including 15 counts of murder.
The next day, National Cabinet (the PM plus state and territory leaders) discussed strengthening gun laws across the country.
NSW moved fastest, reducing the number of firearms a person can own and reclassifying some weapon types.
1996 buyback
In 1996, a single gunman killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania.
Within 12 days, Australian leaders developed the National Firearms Agreement (NFA).
As part of the NFA, the Federal Government bought 650,000 guns from the population at a cost of around $300 million, covered by a one-off 0.2% Medicare levy increase.
2026 buyback
In December, some firearms were reclassified, and the limit on guns per person was reduced to four – except for farmers and sports shooters, who can have up to 10.
The change affected around 274,000 registered firearms (about 24% of all guns registered in NSW) and roughly 50,000 licence holders.
From Monday, NSW gun owners who have more guns than legally allowed, or own guns that are now banned, can hand them in for a payment.
A flat payment of $150 is also available for handing in 1kg or more of ammunition.
- Handguns, revolver: $1,000
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- Handguns, semi-auto handgun: $850
- Shotguns, double barrel shotgun: $850
- Shotguns, single barrel shotgun: $650
- Rifles, centrefire rifle: $1,000
- Rifles, rimfire rifle: $600
- Rifles, air rifle: $450
NSW and the Federal Government are splitting the cost of running the scheme 50:50.
The Federal Government is covering the full cost of destroying the guns once owners hand them in.
Response
Minns told media on Monday that “nearly all the vacancies for the next month have been taken up,” with around 2,430 firearms expected to be surrendered in that time.
As of now, six police stations will accept surrenders: Dubbo, Grafton, Griffith, Narellan, Penrith, and Sutherland.
That will expand to 40 stations on 1 December and 146 by February.
“These laws will save lives,” Minns said, adding that “less guns on our streets will mean less crime and less people dying as a result of those firearms.”
Other govts
The ACT is currently the only other jurisdiction to sign on to the scheme.
Before the Bondi Beach terror attack, the WA Government introduced a separate gun buyback, which concluded in January.
Premier Roger Cook has indicated the state may also join the national scheme.
The SA, Victoria, NT, and Queensland governments have refused to participate, while Tasmania has proposed a separate six-month voluntary buyback.
What’s next?
Phase 2 of the NSW roll out will begin early next year.
This specifically covers firearms valued $3,000 and above.
The maximum amount a gun owner can be compensated per firearm is $10,000.
