For those WITHOUT a current Firearms Licence
1. Firearms Safety Course and Exam
The Victorian Police Licensing and Regulations Division (LRD) has advised that an online Firearms Safety Course will now supersede ‘in person’ courses. In person Firearms Safety Courses will therefore become redundant.
Content as usually delivered in a Firearms Safety Course will now be delivered via online video and slideshows. An “in person” exam then needs to be attended where those who return a positive exam result will be provided with a Firearms Safety Course completion Certificate.
The new process will now be:
1. Visit the online Firearms Safety Course website link:
https://www.police.vic.gov.au/eligibility-requirements#firearm-safety-courses
There are three components to the online Firearms Safety Course:
• Firearms Safety Course Video (YouTube)
• Firearm Safety Course Booklet
• Firearm Safety Course Information PowerPoint Slide Presentation
2. Ensure you are confident and fully understand the Firearms Safety Course online content.
Book in to attend a Firearms Safety Course Exam at Frankston Australian Clay Target Club by visiting https://www.trybooking.com/BNIZK.
It is recommended that you also familiarise yourself with the Firearms Safety Code
(http://www.factc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Firearm-Safety-Booklet-2011.pdf)
which forms the basis of the Firearms Safety Course.
2. Applying for a Membership at a Clay Target Club
When you complete your Firearms Licence Application, you will need to state the genuine reason why you require a firearms licence. Clay Target Shooting is a genuine reason with another genuine reason including Hunting and Primary Production.
If your Genuine Reason is for Sport/Target Shooting, then you will need to join a Clay Target Club such as Frankston Australian Clay Target Club. You then will need to submit proof of the membership with your Firearms Licence Application.
2.1 Becoming a Member at the Frankston Australian Clay Target Club
To become a member (for all new Members) at the Frankston Australian Clay Target Club, you will need to participate in a Club Induction which covers the safety aspects while on the Grounds as well as around the Club. The cost for the Safety Induction is $60. This Safety Induction includes information relative to the Clubs rules and regulations, as well as appropriate firearm safety. You will then participate in shooting a round of 25 clay targets (generally Down the Line targets), under direct supervision from an FACTC authorised and qualified Instructor. This exercise is not to assess your ability to hit the targets but instead to access your safety and competency when handling the shotgun. The ammunition, ear protection and the use of a Club shotgun is all provided as part of your fee.
As you are under the strict instruction from a Club Coach, you are not required to have your Firearms Licence during this process and therefore this can be done parallel to the Firearms Safety Course and Exam.
Inductions are generally available every Wednesday at hourly intervals, and a minimum of two weekend sessions per month. To book an Induction please call (03) 9782 1626, email factcsecretary@gmail.com or visit https://www.trybooking.com/DEWNL to book weekend inductions.
Upon the conclusion of the Club Induction, which takes approximately 45 minutes, and assuming you are deemed safe and competent, you will be able to join the Club. There are a number of Membership Options available including Competitive (allowing you to participate in competitions), Social (allowing you to shoot practice only) and then Adult, Junior and Veteran Options. A copy of your Membership Application and a Club Membership Card will be provided to you so you can include as part of your Firearms Licence Application process. The 2021 Membership options available at Frankston Australian Clay Target Club can be found at http://www.factc.com.au/membership/.
3. Completing a Firearms Licence Application
3.1 eServices Portal
The Victoria Police Licensing and Regulation Division coordinates the Firearms Licence Application process and subsequently approves (or otherwise) all new applications. From 25th March 2019, it became a requirement that all new Firearms Licence Applications be completed online via an eServices Portal. No new Firearms Licence Applications can be posted to the Licensing and Regulation Division unless first completed via the eServices Portal. Information on this process can be found at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/applying-new-licence.
To complete your online Firearms Licence Application, you will need to visit the eServices Portal at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/eservices-portal.It is recommended before commencing the process that you have available to you:
➢ a secure current email address;
➢ all of your personal information including details of identification documents; and
➢ and a printer.
3.2 Genuine Reason
As mentioned in Section 2, it is necessary to provide a genuine reason for wanting to acquire a Firearms Licence. It is also necessary to provide supporting evidence as to the genuine reason. For example, if your genuine reason is for Sport or Target Shooting, then the evidence required may consist of:
➢ A copy of a current Club Membership Card; and/or
➢ A letter of endorsement from the Club confirming the current membership
3.3 Completed Firearms Licence Application
Once you have completed your Firearms Licence Application online, a copy of the application will then be emailed to the email address you provided during the registration via the eServices Portal. The completed application will need to be printed and returned via post to the Licensing and Regulation Division together with all the required supporting documents. Supporting documents cannot be uploaded to the eServices Portal.
➢ The Certificate from completing the Firearms Safety Course Exam;
➢ Genuine reason supporting evidence as mentioned in Section 3.2;
➢ 100 points of identification comprising of at least one primary identification document like a passport or birth certificate and one secondary document showing your current residential address (these documents must be correctly certified copies);
➢ an identification reference from an acceptable referee who has known you for at least 12 months and not related to you by either birth or marriage (this person must be the same person who has certified your 100 points of identification); and
➢ if you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the medical history questions in your application, you must also provide a medical report from your treating doctor supporting your suitability to hold a firearms licence and be in possession of firearms.
Further details can be found at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/applying-new-licence.
The completed Firearms Licence Application and the supporting documents must then be sent to:
Victoria Police Licensing & Regulation Division
GPO Box 2807
Melbourne VIC 3001
3.4 Application Waiting Period
New Firearm Licence Applications and the first application for a permit to acquire a firearm are subject to a minimum mandatory 28-day waiting period and are processed in the order they are received. Licence Applications may be delayed if information is incomplete or missing.
3.5 Payment for your Firearms Licence
Payment for your Firearms Licence is not required when making the initial application. If your application is approved, you will be issued with a payment notice. The licence fee must then be paid by BPAY or by visiting a Westpac Bank branch by the nominated date on your payment notice.
3.6 Firearms Licence Photograph
Once payment for your approved Firearms Licence has been made, you must take the payment notice, and another form of identification, to have your photo taken at an approved VicRoads photo point. VicRoads will take your photograph and then send your plastic Firearms Licence card to your postal address.
4. Purchasing a Firearm
Once your Firearms Licence has been granted, it is time to start thinking about purchasing your own Shotgun. To purchase a Shotgun, you will need to have submitted an application for a Permit to Acquire a Longarm (referred to simply as a ‘Permit to Acquire’). Visit Permit to Acquire to download a copy of the form.
It is strongly recommended that a Permit to Acquire is lodged parallel to your new Firearms Licence Application being lodged due to the similar processing times. Any Firearms Dealer can assist you with this and two recommended by Frankston Australian Clay Target Club are:
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Melbourne Gun Works Ph: 03 8354 7655 4/6 Ovata Drive Tullamarine |
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Mialls Gun Shop Ph: 03 9783 1576 59-61 Playne Street Frankston |
5. Storing your Firearm and Ammunition
Victoria Police has a number of guidelines for the safe storage of firearms in your home. Visit http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=36210to see the storage and safekeeping information for firearms and also ammunition.
A suitable safe for the storage of your firearm and ammunition can also be sourced from your preferred Firearms Dealer. Frankston Australian Clay Target Club recommends the products available in the Spika range https://spika.com.au/.
6. Purchasing Ammunition and Accessories for Clay Target Shooting
Frankston Australian Clay Target Club has pro shop for all of your Clay Target Shooting needs! Items available include Shooting Vests/Jackets, earmuffs, gun cleaning tools and cleaning products etc, shooting glasses, and apparel. A range of ammunition is also available.
Alternatively, your preferred Firearms Dealer will have a range of ammunition and accessories available.
7. You are ready to Shoot
Your Firearms Licence has been granted! You are a Member of a Clay Target Shooting Club!
You have purchased your own Firearm! You are ready to go!
For a list of Clay Target Shooting Clubs in Victoria please visit https://www.vcta.com.au.
8. You feel you need some further Tuition
Frankston Australian Clay Target Club offers Tuition for those who feel they need some help to either perfect their shooting style, or for those new to the sport who just need some further advice to build their confidence. The cost is $60 for 25 targets or $90 for 50 targets inclusive of ammunition, ear protection and the use of a Club Shotgun if required.
A Tuition session can be booked every Wednesday between 10am and 4pm (at a time convenient for you) and on varied days of the weekend each month. Bookings are required and can be made by emailing info@factc.com.au or calling the office on (03) 9782 1626.
9. You have a Friend or Family Member interested
Frankston Australian Clay Target Club also offers a “Come and Try” session for those who would like to give the Sport a try prior to commencing the licensing process. These sessions can be booked in line with the Tuition and the same costs apply.
For those WITH a current Firearms Licence…
For those already with a current Firearms Licence, you are well on your way to getting involved in the Sport. You will need to become a member of a Clay Target Shooting Club such as Frankston Australian Clay Target Club. Please refer to Applying for a Membership at a Clay Target Club above on how to become a Member at Frankston Australian Clay Target Club.
Please refer to https://factc.com.aufor further information and to view the Club rules.
Frankston Australian Clay Target Club takes safety both on and off the grounds very seriously and anyone not compliant with the Club Rules will be denied participation.