Australia: New South Wales (NSW), Australia’s most populous state, will launch a gun buyback scheme later this year, becoming the first state to offer cash compensation for firearms under the new reforms.
From 2 November, eligible gun owners will be able to surrender handguns, shotguns and rifles in exchange for payments of up to $707 (A$1,000). The programme is aimed at removing firearms that exceed newly introduced ownership limits or are no longer covered by a valid licence.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the government wants excess firearms to be handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed. Authorities believe the initiative could result in hundreds of thousands of firearms being surrendered.
Under firearm reforms already introduced in NSW, individuals are generally limited to owning four firearms, while certain groups, including farmers and sports shooters, can own up to 10. Licence terms have also been reduced from five years to two years.
We’re doing everything we can to get guns off our streets and keep Australians safe. pic.twitter.com/BUjVskQ034
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 16, 2026
Two-Phase buyback programme
The buyback scheme will be introduced in two phases. The first phase, beginning in November, will cover a range of standard handguns, shotguns and rifles. Owners surrendering a revolver, for example, could receive $707 (A$1,000), while an air rifle would attract compensation of around $318 (A$450).
The second phase is expected to begin early next year and will target higher-value firearms worth more than $2,123 (A$3,000). Compensation under this phase will be capped at $7,079 (A$10,000). The National Gun BuyBack Scheme is being jointly funded by the NSW and Australian federal governments.
Additional support will also be available for businesses affected by the reforms. Eligible businesses could receive up to $3,539 (A$25,00)0 to help them adjust, while assistance will also be provided to licensed gun dealers.
Reforms follow bondi beach attack
The measures follow the deadly attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14 last year, when 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor, were killed during Hanukkah celebrations.
The attack prompted renewed calls for tighter firearm controls across Australia, with authorities initially announcing plans for a nationwide gun buyback programme. However, implementation was delayed amid discussions over funding and how the scheme would operate.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said stronger gun controls were an important part of preventing a similar attack from happening again. The NSW programme is expected to form a significant part of Australia’s broader firearm reform efforts, with authorities seeking to reduce the number of privately held weapons and ensure firearms are held only by people who meet the new ownership and licensing requirements.
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