New South Wales opens the national post-Bondi gun buyback, with first surrenders set for Nov. 2

As of 5:28 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026

New South Wales has opened applications for the national gun buyback that Australia set up after the December 2025 terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, making it the first state to start the Commonwealth scheme, according to the NSW government.

"The National Gun Buyback Scheme is now operating in New South Wales," the state's buyback page says. Eligible licence holders must complete a surrender application through the Gun Safe portal, receive a case number and book an appointment at a participating police station. The government says firearm holders should not go to a police station with guns or ammunition without an appointment.

The scheme will start taking firearms on Nov. 2, administered by NSW Police, the government said when it announced the deal in August. Police stations in Sutherland, Penrith, Narellan, Grafton, Griffith and Dubbo will accept surrendered guns from Nov. 2, with a further 34 stations from Dec. 1, Australian Associated Press reported.

What owners will be paid

Under Phase 1, the government is paying fixed amounts in Australian dollars: A$1,000 for a revolver, A$850 for a semi-automatic handgun, A$850 for a double-barrel shotgun, A$650 for a single-barrel shotgun, A$600 for a rimfire rifle, A$1,000 for a centrefire rifle and A$450 for an air rifle. Licence holders who surrender at least 1 kilogram of eligible ammunition with an eligible firearm can receive a single A$150 payment, and payments are processed up to 10 days after a surrender is verified, according to the NSW government.

A second phase starting in early 2027 will offer a valuation pathway, for a fee, for higher-value firearms worth A$3,000 or more, with payments capped at A$10,000 per firearm, the government said. The buyback is scheduled to remain open for 12 months. Eligible dealers can receive business grants of up to A$25,000.

Who is affected

The buyback covers firearms that licence holders can no longer keep under the state's Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, which limits licence holders to four firearms, or 10 for some, including sport and target shooters and primary producers, reclassifies some types of guns and restricts licences to Australian citizens, with exceptions, according to the NSW government. Its buyback page says those provisions are not yet in force and will commence on dates to be set by proclamation.

The NSW government estimates that up to 274,000 registered firearms, about 24% of those registered in the state, and about 50,000 licence holders are affected. The Commonwealth and NSW are splitting the cost of the buyback 50:50, the government said.

The Bondi attack on Dec. 14, 2025, killed 15 people, AAP reported. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said, "Fewer guns in the community means a safer community," according to AAP. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said on Monday that his state would "absolutely not" take part in the national buyback, AAP reported.

What is not known

It is not known how many owners have applied so far. AAP reported that the ACT has also agreed to take part; the NSW government did not say when other states or territories will start.