Some good advise from vmaxaust.
Just a few clarifications.
AusTac wrote:To borrow one without some knob breathing down your neck wouldn't you still need a cat H?
Yes - but a provisional is a Cat-H - just one that you can't own or purchase any pistols under. Apart from that you can legally shoot without someone 'breathing down your neck' once you have one. (YMMV depending on local club rules if they choose to pose any further restrictions on you.)
AusTac wrote:I thought it was the license that came with the minimum requirements and not the pistol ownership? If not i'm going renting!
You can have a full license without owning any firearms - in which case there is no minimum attendance requirement. Attendance requirement is based on the class (air, .22, centrefire up to .357 and centrefire above .357 IIRC).
Thankfully they were wise enough to realise that some people may want pistol licenses to shoot more than 10 times in their life, but may not be able to make all the attendances (aka - spouses that have an interest and enjoy the odd social shoot).
vmaxaust wrote:Once the NORI's are done you can apply for a Provisional Handgun License. The club puts this application in for you if they believe you are mastering the handgun shooting process effectively.
If you plan on shooting regularly (more than 10 times before you get a full license) I would strongly suggest applying for the provisional as soon as you can -
do not wait for you to complete the NORI's, or you might find yourself sitting at club shoots unable to do any more shooting for 6-8 weeks whilst waiting for LRD to process your provisional.
However - in saying that - you do not require a provisional if you will only shoot 10 or less times before being able to apply for your full license. (Your full license can be applied for 6 months after the date
you join the club. Not the date that you receive a provisional - which are
optional but very useful if you wish to shoot regularly).
However different clubs may have additional requirements above and beyond LRD's - so it's best to check with your local club.