How to get airsoft guns in Australia

Airsoft guns have been categorized as illegal weapons in Australia. This is due to the fact that certain airsoft guns, such as the fully automated ones and the ones of the high air pressure may cause serious damage as seen by the law. Therefore, those guns are illegal in Australia, but it may change in the future.

There is is currently an outgoing petition to change the law that forbids import and the use of airsoft guns on territory of Australia and one of the arguments being used is the one that states that such guns are not classified as firearms in the European Union and Japan and those countries are known for being rigorous when it comes to the laws regarding firearms.

However, the petition has been there for a while and not much has been achieved with it yet.

As it can be seen from the graph, airsoft is a searched topic but unfortunately people are realising that the law is yet not changing.

I have created a list of territories in Australia that explain the laws more down below:

Western Australia

The Firearms Act 1996 says that any gun that is capable of discharging projectiles shall be considered as a firearm and therefore a matter of the law that prohibits its use, unless there are special gun licenses issued.

So unfortunately Airsoft guns also fall into that category and unlawful possession may result in prosecution for weapon related offences.

It is also important to mention that their importation will not be possible because Western Australian Police will not issue the required authorization.

Tasmania

The same laws apply to Tasmania as well, the regulation of The Firearms Act 1996 does not allow its use.

Airsoft is a sport, but in the eyes of the law there are no good reasons to allow the possession of such firearms to the public.

South Australia

There is a law that classifies some airsoft guns with low-enough velocity to be considered as imitation of firearms and therefore not seen as real firearms.

However, in practice it does not matter that much, because they are still considered as replicas of the real guns and therefore are seen as firearms.

New South Wales,Victoria, Queensland and Australian Capital Territory

They fall pretty much into the same category as the ones above and do not bring the happy news.

Northern Territory

During my research I bumped into some Northern Territory laws that seemed to be more flexible in terms of recognition of airsoft guns, unfortunately the laws do not permit airsoft guns use and are still banned.

It seems to be easier to import them there but to use one you will still need a license, so you will probably get the best information from a local police department.

Conclusion on the Australian law

Sometimes the law may not be clear, but it is clear enough to make you cautious and not commit certain crimes.

There has recently been a case in the Northern Territory where a guy purchased an airsoft gun online and asked the authorities for their permission.

They explained him that he is not allowed to use it just because he managed to purchase it overseas, but at least no charges were pressed against him.

I will keep this post updated with potentional upcoming changes, and one may happen with the outgoing petition but surely It shall take time to take the effect.

Why are airsoft guns illegal in Australia?

Nowadays, there are many misconceptions in many things, when it comes to a sport that has something to do with guns (although they are replicas, its almost impossible to tell them apart from the real ones) it makes people uncomfortable.

It does not take much time to think about it and to realise that the reasons for Airsoft guns being banned in Australia have their roots in fear and political correctness.

The gun of any type just by the way it sounds resembles a fear of misuse that may lead to casualties and it could easily put some unnecessary pressure on the behalf of authorities.

However, the airsoft gun can not be easily used to cause a threat to the public, neither its parts can be transformed into a real gun without previously literally replacing them all with the real gun parts.

But some may think that they may be used for training of some para military forces or terrorists, or perhaps a trickster weapon for a criminal that wants to rob a bank or a local shop because those airsoft replicas look so convincing.

Whatever the reason may be, the laws in Australia may change because there are many countries that recognize arisoft guns as nothing but some toys that can at best cause some bruisers and if not treated carefully hurt someones eye.

With the proper use and discipline airsoft guns are not to be feared, but they for sure do not belong in public places where people are not aware of their presence and such laws should continue to exist, but the laws should also be changed for recreational purposes where all possible factors of danger are being taken care of.

A solution for those who still want to play it

Although we do not know yet whether the law may change or not and that Airsoft finally becomes legal in Australia, there is some hope for the people who want to play airsoft matches on the territory of Australia.

It is called the gel ball blaster guns, and many associate it with Australian version of Airsoft guns. It is only a substitute to the real airsoft in Australia, but it can bring some real fun to the players thirsty for a good match.

Gel blasters may lack the power of the airsoft guns, range and the realism, however they are a great substitute and you can find them in local stores.

If you want to know more about gel blasters and how they differ from airsoft guns, you can check my guide on the difference between gel blasters and airsoft guns.

Gel blasters are perfectly legal and there is a community you can join.

I have written a book for you. In my beginner book you’ll find everything you must know before stepping into the field.

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