The Federal Attorney-General’s Department has provided an update about the National Firearms Register (NFR) in the attached newsletter to SSAA Inc.
The SSAA Inc. continues to engage with the Federal Attorney-General’s Department in relation to this issue, with SSAA state branches working with their respective police agencies in relation to state-based changes (e.g. updated firearm registration processes).
As many of you would be aware the NFR Implementation Program commenced on 1 July 2024, after National Cabinet’s agreement in December 2023 to implement a register.
The Government has stated that the NFR is designed as an integrated system that connects and draws information from existing Commonwealth, state and territory firearms registries, portals and management systems into one central register.
The NFR is intended to provide frontline police officers with access to near real-time information on firearms, firearms owners and licences. The Government has advised this will link firearms information with police and government information systems, which they believe will better enable law enforcement to assess risks to the community and police.
The Government has stated that the NFR Program is a 4-year initiative and is expected to be operational by mid-2028 (timeline below). This timeframe includes legislative, policy, data and technical changes required to deliver on its objectives.
States and territories and a number of Australian Government agencies are at varied stages of improving their registries, portals and management systems.
View the newsletter here