NSW new licence application how long?

Questions about New South Wales gun and ammunition laws. NSW Firearms Act 1996.

Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by selaga » 10 Dec 2018, 7:18 pm

Does anyone know what "Principal shooting club approval number" for SSAA(NSW) is ?
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 11 Dec 2018, 7:32 am

selaga wrote:Does anyone know what "Principal shooting club approval number" for SSAA(NSW) is ?


Everything you need to use SSAA to support your licence application should have been either emailed to you or sent to you in the mail.
It's a single sheet/page that contains all the information.

But I don't remember seeing that question. What form are you filling out ?
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by selaga » 11 Dec 2018, 9:22 am

Sadly not.

It is the new online approval trough Service NSW.

I rang the SSAA (NSW) and got the approval number also asked them to publish it on their website.

Other NSW SSAA branches have it on their website like Mudgee, etc.

It is a 9 digit number.

For reference, target is 409 053 351 (NSW01) aka Sydney branch.

Hope that helps someone out there.

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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by dontknowitall » 11 Dec 2018, 10:55 am

can anyone tell me if FAR phone is kaput..

it answers..long message with options..push option and get cannot get through after message :crazy: it just disconnects?

drives me crazy
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by zhuk » 12 Dec 2018, 10:06 am

Yeah I've been hung up on inexplicably a couple of times too, during my 1 1/2hr wait lol

Likely they're just getting swamped with calls...I've had good luck with the last 2 longarms PTAs but Cat H must be a whole nother thing. Waiting since Nov 29 and so sign they've received it yet (online application, my rifle ones took 48hrs)

I suppose with handguns being more inherently evil it's going to drag out huh lol
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 15 Dec 2018, 6:08 pm

So I've now just had another licence application 'new licence' reach 'issued to service NSW for photo advice' just 28 days after they received it.

I think FAR has finally broken the back of their backlog and it sounds like they are now running at a performance higher than I've ever seen it. Seeing as there is the 28 day cooling off period, i don't think it can get much better than that for a new licence application.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by zhuk » 15 Dec 2018, 9:26 pm

Well that seems about 'normal', JWD...or what was previously normal, anyway...six weeks for me, start to finish, once upon a time lol

Anyway good to hear and here's hoping its getting ironed out now. Had a nice surprise yesterday, my Cat H PTA is now being processed, exactly 2 weeks after online submission....thought it was going to be much longer from what I'd heard.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by GojiraSteve » 19 Dec 2018, 1:58 pm

JWD40 wrote:So I've now just had another licence application 'new licence' reach 'issued to service NSW for photo advice' just 28 days after they received it.


How does that happen!? Mines at 65 days and still hasn't moved!
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by Pyroteq » 19 Dec 2018, 4:51 pm

selaga wrote:For reference, target is 409 053 351 (NSW01) aka Sydney branch.

Hope that helps someone out there.


Nice, anyone know what the number for SSAA NSW hunting is?

Tried to get in contact with them but no luck today.

Gotta love the random hurdles the FAR throws in front of you.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by Gaznazdiak » 19 Dec 2018, 5:40 pm

GojiraSteve wrote:
JWD40 wrote:So I've now just had another licence application 'new licence' reach 'issued to service NSW for photo advice' just 28 days after they received it.


How does that happen!? Mines at 65 days and still hasn't moved!



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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 20 Dec 2018, 8:09 pm

GojiraSteve wrote:
JWD40 wrote:So I've now just had another licence application 'new licence' reach 'issued to service NSW for photo advice' just 28 days after they received it.


How does that happen!? Mines at 65 days and still hasn't moved!


Give them a call bud, if your application is in the system and has been listed as "NEW APPLICATION IN PROGRESS - NOT AUTHORISED FOR FIREARMS" for the past 65 days. Then something might be wrong with your application. Loads of applications more recent than yours have been approved now.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 20 Dec 2018, 8:17 pm

Pyroteq wrote:
selaga wrote:For reference, target is 409 053 351 (NSW01) aka Sydney branch.

Hope that helps someone out there.


Nice, anyone know what the number for SSAA NSW hunting is?

Tried to get in contact with them but no luck today.

Gotta love the random hurdles the FAR throws in front of you.


What are you after ?
I normally just call whatever number i can find and let the person on the end deal with transferring me to the right person.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by GojiraSteve » 21 Dec 2018, 3:29 pm

JWD40 wrote:
GojiraSteve wrote:
JWD40 wrote:So I've now just had another licence application 'new licence' reach 'issued to service NSW for photo advice' just 28 days after they received it.


How does that happen!? Mines at 65 days and still hasn't moved!


Give them a call bud, if your application is in the system and has been listed as "NEW APPLICATION IN PROGRESS - NOT AUTHORISED FOR FIREARMS" for the past 65 days. Then something might be wrong with your application. Loads of applications more recent than yours have been approved now.


Cheers mate,
I called them today. They couldn't see any problem. Just gave me the standard "high volumes of work" line. :unknown:
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by Alpha2 » 04 Jan 2019, 8:18 pm

Mines at 41 days still saying “new application - not authorised for firearms” I guess they pick and choose who they approve and when
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 06 Jan 2019, 4:37 pm

Alpha2 wrote:Mines at 41 days still saying “new application - not authorised for firearms” I guess they pick and choose who they approve and when


I'd say it's more like they have a mix of online applications and a mess of paperwork applications. I could dig around to give you a more solid answer about applications entered around 43 days ago, but at this point i'm guessing, and my guess is one of two options, either something is funky with your application and it's slowing it down, or you sent it in as a paper application and it's in a pile of paper chaos. But just my guess at this point.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by simon223 » 06 Jan 2019, 6:17 pm

I rang the firearms registry on Friday about getting application forms and they said everything is online now so they are doing away with the paper trail hopefully it doesn’t take me 3 months to get my licence once I have everything done!
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by zhuk » 07 Jan 2019, 9:52 am

I spoke to a Sydney dealer last week who said there is a backlog of something like 900 PTAs atm...so you can imagine licensing would be banked up too
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by poid » 09 Jan 2019, 6:01 pm

I submitted my paper application late November, FAR listed as received on 29 November. It was referred to Service NSW on 29 December, and I got the photo advice yesterday (8 Jan). That's much faster than I expected, especially during the holiday period.

Might just depend on whose desk your app happens to land on?
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 15 Jan 2019, 7:15 am

zhuk wrote:I spoke to a Sydney dealer last week who said there is a backlog of something like 900 PTAs atm...so you can imagine licensing would be banked up too


I'm not convinced this is the case any more. I'm not saying you or the dealer is wrong, but everything i'm seeing is indicating that the backlog has been cleared.

I've been keeping an eye on over 40 licence applications and 15 PTA's in the past 10 months. In that time frame, I've seen licence applications go from an average of 60 days, then after the Edwards issue in July, within 1 month of the incident, they skyrocketed to an average of 130 days. Since then, the wait time has been slowly dropping by roughly 10 days per fortnight. Some time around late October, the average wait time plummeted to around 40 days. The wait time now appears to be shorter that i have personally ever seen it. I haven't included postage or paperwork handling time above, this is purely processing time.

But what I've also seen is that the new Service NSW system is removing an average of 20-30 days off the whole process by removing the postage and paper handling time.

My opinion is this:
That if you're posting your application in by snail mail, add 30 days to your expected wait time (give or take)
And if your licence application is taking more than 50 days (excluding postage), there's something holding up your application.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by GojiraSteve » 15 Jan 2019, 8:09 am

JWD40 wrote:
zhuk wrote:And if your licence application is taking more than 50 days (excluding postage), there's something holding up your application.



Hey JWD40,

For someone whose app is now at 93 days (marked as "New Application in Progress - Not Authorised for Firearrms" effective 15/10/2018). Are you able to shed any light on what particular issues might cause the app to be held up?

I called the registry and just got the "high volumes of work" line...
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 15 Jan 2019, 9:05 am

GojiraSteve wrote:
JWD40 wrote:
zhuk wrote:And if your licence application is taking more than 50 days (excluding postage), there's something holding up your application.



Hey JWD40,

For someone whose app is now at 93 days (marked as "New Application in Progress - Not Authorised for Firearrms" effective 15/10/2018). Are you able to shed any light on what particular issues might cause the app to be held up?

I called the registry and just got the "high volumes of work" line...


I'd help you if I could, but knowing what might be holding up your specific application is beyond my level of knowledge (I don't work for FAR, I've just monitored a bunch of applications and have seen the pattern).

I will say this. The "high volumes of work" or the "unusually high number of applications" line is a script that isn't necessarily accurate. I'm very confident they aren't trying to make you wait longer for no reason. But for whatever reason, they don't seem to be allowed to give out definitive reasons until an application has either failed or been approved.

If you're waiting longer than everyone else, these would be my guesses:

1. If you submitted it via paper, it's currently sitting in a pile somewhere or in the processes of being transferred between Service NSW and FAR. If this is the case, hopefully it will be found soon.

2. If you've done something unusual on your application, such as make an error in street name, or fail to include a genuine reason. They may be deciding if it needs to be fixed on a new application or if they can ignore the mistake.

3. Your background check is taking a while to come back, i'm not sure where they get their information from, but it takes them time to receive the information and i believe the time it takes is out of their control. My guess would be that it's unlikely there is an "issue" with your background check, as this would probably result in a failed application and they would tell you on the phone that your application failed.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by Zeju » 15 Jan 2019, 3:38 pm

Hey guys, how's it going?

Similar boat to a few others that have posted here. I did my course and sent away for the forms at the end of October, didn't get them and had to call up. They sent me a copy out that came in November, ended up sending them away and finally after about a month and a half they received my license application on 13-12-2018.

So, now I'm just waiting I guess. JWD40 you seem surprisingly well informed, it's nice to have positive feedback coming and the fact that others have verified your predictions. It's good to have another forum specifically for shooting and the sport in Australia to hang out on, because I'm a sucker for forum conversation in free time and Whirlpool's shooting thread is sadly quite devoid of life.

Looking back to my form, when I submitted my application (paper application which I sent a day or two before they switched to online), everything was doubled checked by a couple of other people as well. It was standard A+B hunting & sport shooting, w/ SSAA as the club of choice. I supplied a photocopy of the SSAA letter and card as I didn't have access to a principal club official, but the form stated you can send in a photocopy or get a club official to sign it so I'm not really worried about the form. Just waiting for the good news, I hope.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 16 Jan 2019, 2:12 pm

Zeju wrote:Looking back to my form, when I submitted my application (paper application which I sent a day or two before they switched to online), everything was doubled checked by a couple of other people as well. It was standard A+B hunting & sport shooting, w/ SSAA as the club of choice. I supplied a photocopy of the SSAA letter and card as I didn't have access to a principal club official, but the form stated you can send in a photocopy or get a club official to sign it so I'm not really worried about the form. Just waiting for the good news, I hope.


Unfortunately it's a waiting game, it can be painfully long if you're excited haha.

13-12-2018, did your licence cracked 4121 or is it still 4120 ? it must be very close

I'm guessing you'll see the status updated sometime around second week of feb, give or take 1 week. But that's just an average. Yours could be faster or slower than that. With a bit more information i could probably be even more accurate (PM me if you're interested).
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 16 Jan 2019, 10:09 pm

Did a bit of digging to see where things are at these days with FAR applications. (I hadn't kept up to date for a month or two).
At the moment, looks like the wait time has gone down a further 20 days or so. Average wait time between receipt of application and "refer to service NSW" is now down to about 35-40 days.

I'm seeing applications submitted end November getting "Issued" by 10th of Jan
and
I'm seeing applications submitted mid December getting "Refer to NSW" by 15th of Jan
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by lionet » 21 Jan 2019, 2:46 pm

Mine is marked 'New Application in Progress' since 12 Oct 2018. Still the same to date.

I'm applying for Cate A and Cate B with reason HUNTING/TARGET SHOOTING. My supporting material is the letter from SSAA coz I'm told that was enough.

I think I might be close on setting the new waiting record here. Called them a month ago. Got the 'backlog' BS. I went from excited, to anxious, to agonized, to outrageous, to disappointed, to not feeling anything now :) Kinda like break up. Hope for nothing and they can't hurt you right?

I'm not a citizen, just a permanent resident visa holder. Wonder I just happen to have the wrong last name, or my material was not enough, which they wouldn't tell me anyway.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by JWD40 » 21 Jan 2019, 9:38 pm

lionet wrote:Mine is marked 'New Application in Progress' since 12 Oct 2018. Still the same to date.

I'm applying for Cate A and Cate B with reason HUNTING/TARGET SHOOTING. My supporting material is the letter from SSAA coz I'm told that was enough.

I think I might be close on setting the new waiting record here.


There are a very small number of people who still haven't been issued a licence since application went in at the start of Aug. So you've still got a while to set some records :)

And yes, SSAA should have been enough.


lionet wrote:I went from excited, to anxious, to agonized, to outrageous, to disappointed, to not feeling anything now :) Kinda like break up. Hope for nothing and they can't hurt you right?


:lol: summed it up pretty well. You can go do P650 shoots at some ranges. That might help the wait

lionet wrote:I'm not a citizen, just a permanent resident visa holder. Wonder I just happen to have the wrong last name, or my material was not enough, which they wouldn't tell me anyway.


they'll tell you once they have finished their assessment. It's probably nothing man, they have probably just jumbled up your paperwork a few times and you've been unlucky. Hang in there!. Of the people who now have licenses, the longest I've seen someone have to wait is 148 days. I know that will hurt to hear. Hopefully things move quicker for you.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by zhuk » 22 Jan 2019, 7:03 am

JWD40 wrote:
lionet wrote:Mine is marked 'New Application in Progress' since 12 Oct 2018. Still the same to date.

I'm applying for Cate A and Cate B with reason HUNTING/TARGET SHOOTING. My supporting material is the letter from SSAA coz I'm told that was enough.

I think I might be close on setting the new waiting record here.


There are a very small number of people who still haven't been issued a licence since application went in at the start of Aug. So you've still got a while to set some records :)

And yes, SSAA should have been enough.


lionet wrote:I went from excited, to anxious, to agonized, to outrageous, to disappointed, to not feeling anything now :) Kinda like break up. Hope for nothing and they can't hurt you right?


:lol: summed it up pretty well. You can go do P650 shoots at some ranges. That might help the wait

lionet wrote:I'm not a citizen, just a permanent resident visa holder. Wonder I just happen to have the wrong last name, or my material was not enough, which they wouldn't tell me anyway.


they'll tell you once they have finished their assessment. It's probably nothing man, they have probably just jumbled up your paperwork a few times and you've been unlucky. Hang in there!. Of the people who now have licenses, the longest I've seen someone have to wait is 148 days. I know that will hurt to hear. Hopefully things move quicker for you.


A guy at my club has been waiting since August, same thing he has SSAA as his supporting body.

However, every club I know of does not allow indefinite shoots on a P650, my club told him it's meant to be 4 (though they did give him a few more)
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by Mr48Volts » 22 Jan 2019, 9:14 pm

Hi folks, mine was lodged on Oct 28 2018 and it’s been stagnant ever since, I’ve called a few times and have been given the backlog story, I was also told there was nothing wrong with my application, then last week I got a call (it went to voicemail) and the team member from FAR said they are only processing August 2018 applications now. I’m at 85 days, I’ve never had a speeding fine, the worst I’ve had is a parking ticket. To say I’m frustrated is an understatement.
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by lionet » 23 Jan 2019, 9:12 am

JWD40 wrote:There are a very small number of people who still haven't been issued a licence since application went in at the start of Aug. So you've still got a while to set some records :)


You know man, I sent my application with Austrian Post Parcel Express. Cost me $10 but totally worth it because I sent out on 10 Oct and application was lodged on 12 Oct. Compare to other guys' unfortunate struggle with the mail, at that time I felt 'well it's not that bad at all, dodge the bullet there :P' and was hoping to get myself a .22lr for xmas gift hahaha then it's a downward spiral from there. See how naive I was?

As an immigrant I've no doubt dealt with a parade of government bureaucracy but this is by far one of the top 2. I also feel bad for the August guys. P650 shooting means booking and planning and weekends (I'm working full time during the week). And as I live in close suburb in Sydney any range is almost 1-hour drive from any direction. I just want to be able to blow off some steam off work in the evening :D
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Re: NSW new licence application how long?

Post by rookie » 27 Jan 2019, 8:14 am

hi all,

I just got made VALID :mrgreen: - took me about 70 days as it was a paper-based application initially.

I requested manual forms 19 Nov 2018 (via website). They took a while to arrive but did everything to send in my application so FAR registered as receiving it second week in December. This process took 24 days - the new online process will save new applicants this time :roll: (I sent mine in via Reg Post).

The 28 day waiting period ended on a Monday and by the following Saturday morning the FAR online status check changed to "Referred to Service NSW" (34 days since application received).

On that same Saturday, I went to the nearest ServiceNSW registry to get photo done and was told I need physical letter as they need to send that letter back to FAR :(

Received photo advice letter the following Friday (40 days since application) and photo taken Saturday. Photo licence arrived during the following week later on Wednesday (45 days) but at this stage the online FAR check still said "Referred to ServiceNSW".

Called FAR on Friday as the status had not changed. They said whilst we see "Referred to ServiceNSW", on their side they see multiple status changes occurring each which have a delay (sounded like it's done overnight). These statuses include ServiceNSW acknowledging they've received advice - that I got photo taken (maybe others like they've printed the photo, posted the photo, who knows).

She did indicate that once you get the photo advice you are licenced, however, I wouldn't be able to lodge a PTA until the computers all sync up. She said they knew it was a problem and they've raised improving it - it really was due to the integration process annd the sync of computers needing to occur in batches (in separate sequential events by the sounds of it - like they couldn't do a series of events all in one night).

Anyway, overnight that same Friday, the status changed to "VALID" and on that Saturday I was still not able to submit PTAs. The following day, however, all was resolved. I am now able to submit an application (which I made a mistake in one already .... :x :oops: .. will post a separate question).

So bear that in mind, when ServiceNSW say it takes 10 days to get your photo licence, whilst you may receive the photo licence quickly the computers still took about 8 days to sync up. Interesting in this step, the snail mail method beat the electronic method. Anyway, since the date the application was received it's been 49 days (7 weeks) however the licence issue date was the date I took the photo.

Looking back, it was a relatively smooth process but it was a hard wait as you read a lot of forum posts that indicate the horror waits others have experienced and you just don't know whether it's going to happen to you or not. I think the long waits from last year are probably related to the ServiceNSW / FAR online transition that appear to have went online first week in December, staff shortages at FAR and possibly increased workload from the amnesty.

Thanks to this forum - it's been a great read during the big wait and pretty educational. Hope I can contribute more over time.

Cheers
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