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Club policies
Genuine reasons, attendance, club confirmations, dealer processes, and NSW firearms compliance.
Organisation: Sydney Shooters & Hunting Association (SSHA)
Contact (compliance): compliance@ssha.org.au
Contact (general): info@ssha.org.au
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document status | Club approved |
| Version | 1.0 |
| Effective date | 8 October 2026 |
| Next review | 8 October 2027 |
| Related laws (reference) | Firearms Act 1996 (NSW); Firearms Regulation 2017 (NSW), including Part 10; Weapons Prohibition Act 1998; Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 and Regulation 2012; Crimes Act 1900 (as relevant) |
| Governing document | SSHA Club Constitution (Code of Conduct; Appendix 3; Appendix 4) — prevails on conflict |
This policy sets SSHA’s standards for firearms-related governance, membership genuine reasons, participation evidence, club confirmations, dealer activities, and compliance reporting. It supports lawful club operations and member compliance without replacing NSW Police / Firearms Registry authority.
Applies to all members, probationary participants, guests (where relevant), club officers, signing officers, administrators, and anyone using SSHA systems for licence-related membership, attendance, acquisitions, or compliance administration.
SSHA maintains NSW club / provider registrations including:
| Function | Identifier |
|---|---|
| Target Shooting Club | 413 025 564 |
| Pistol Club | 413 025 572 |
| Hunting Club | 413 025 583 |
| Collectors Club | 413 025 599 |
| Dealer licence | 413 165 073 |
| Hunter Leap provider / trainer | 13824 / 13824-1 |
Only authorised persons may make representations to Police or third parties on behalf of the club.
Where firearms are used, members must follow the rules for safe handling of firearms. In NSW these include the rules in the NSW Firearms Safety Awareness Handbook published by or under the authority of the Commissioner of Police. As a guide, members must:
5.1 SSHA may record genuine reasons associated with membership (including Hunting Club, Target Longarms, Target Pistol, Collecting, and R-Game as configured). Constitutional membership types (Adult, Junior, Governance, Life) operate alongside these pathway categories.
5.2 Members must hold (or be applying for, where permitted) the correct NSW firearms authority for their activities and must not rely on club membership alone as a licence. A game hunting licence or SSHA membership does not automatically authorise hunting on any land.
5.3 Members must keep firearms licence numbers, categories, and related details current in the member portal.
5.4 Club membership supporting a genuine reason is conditional on financial membership and ongoing eligibility as determined by the committee and applicable law.
5.5 Under the Constitution, Life membership remains valid for the member’s lifetime or until the member does not hold a NSW firearms licence for whatever reason.
6.1 Members are responsible for understanding and meeting participation requirements applicable to their licence and genuine reason under NSW law (including Part 10 of the Firearms Regulation 2017 where relevant).
6.2 Club guidance currently used for member education includes indicative participation expectations such as:
These figures are club guidance only and may change with regulation or Registry practice. Members must verify current legal requirements.
6.3 Attendance may be captured by:
6.4 Fabricating, altering, or submitting misleading attendance evidence is prohibited and is grounds for disciplinary action and possible regulatory notification.
6.5 Juniors and minors are subject to additional statutory conditions (including relevant provisions of the Firearms Act 1996 and Firearms Regulation 2017). Supervising adults and officers must ensure compliant supervision.
7.1 SSHA may monitor attendance buckets and compliance status in club systems (including statuses such as in progress, compliant, exempt, or non-compliant as configured).
7.2 The club may send compliance notices, reminders, and reports to members (including from compliance@ssha.org.au).
7.3 Where a member’s status is non-compliant, or membership lapses in a way that affects genuine-reason support, SSHA may take steps including:
7.4 Compliance determinations by SSHA for club records do not bind the Registry; conversely, Registry decisions bind the member regardless of club system status.
8.1 Members are responsible for completing principal club nomination and related portal tasks when required.
8.2 SSHA may send reminders and may communicate with NSW Police channels (including clubs@police.nsw.gov.au where used in club processes) for nominations and confirmations.
8.3 Requests for club confirmation related to Permit to Acquire (PTA), provisional pistol licence (PPL), or similar processes will only be actioned where membership, attendance, and eligibility records support confirmation, and only by authorised officers.
8.4 SSHA may decline to provide confirmation where records are incomplete, membership is not in good standing, or confirmation would be inaccurate or unlawful.
9.1 Pistol membership and club-day participation are subject to eligibility, supervision, and safety rules.
9.2 Probation pistol programs (where offered) require accurate session tracking, required forms, and authorised MO / signing-officer involvement. Forms and signatures generated through club systems form part of the compliance record.
9.3 Safe handling certificates and related MO signature processes must only be completed by authorised persons and only when requirements are met.
10.1 Firearms must be handled in accordance with range standing orders, officer directions, and applicable competition rules.
10.2 Members must only use firearms and ammunition they are legally authorised to possess and that are permitted for the activity and venue.
10.3 Unsafe handling, negligent discharge risk behaviour, alcohol/drug impairment, or failure to follow RO/MO directions will result in immediate removal from the activity and further action under conduct policies.
11.1 Dealer activities are conducted only under SSHA’s dealer licence (413 165 073) and by authorised persons.
11.2 Acquisition / licensed-holder processes require signed agreements and acknowledgements, which may include that:
11.3 Public website firearms listings are for enquiry only; firearms are not sold via open online checkout on the public site.
11.4 Ammunition and firearms registry / sales records in club systems must be complete, accurate, and retained for the periods required by common law and any applicable statute or regulatory obligation (and longer if insurance or dealer conditions require).
11.5 Evidence, signatures, and documents related to acquisitions are stored in controlled club storage and accessed only by authorised roles.
12.1 Collectors membership and meetings must align with collectors genuine-reason expectations and club records.
12.2 Hunting club membership and Hunter Leap provider activities must comply with applicable hunting, firearms, and land-access laws. Ethical and humane conduct is required. Hunting is only permitted in approved areas with required authorities.
12.3 Members must comply with Appendix 4 (Hunting Rules) of the Constitution, including without limitation:
| Role | Firearms / compliance responsibilities (summary) |
|---|---|
| Committee / Admin | Oversight, policy, escalations, Registry correspondence authority |
| Club officers / MOs | Club days, supervision, signing where authorised |
| Range officers | Immediate safety control at activities |
| Members | Accurate data, lawful conduct, meeting participation duties |
| Dealer-authorised staff | Acquisition and dealing processes only as authorised |
14.1 Licence records, registry lists, annual returns, attendance evidence, acquisition files, and compliance dispatches are official club records.
14.2 Unauthorised alteration, deletion, or disclosure of compliance records is prohibited.
14.3 Requests to correct genuine errors should be made to compliance@ssha.org.au or info@ssha.org.au with supporting evidence.
14.4 The constitutional register of members (name, postal/residential address, date of membership) is maintained by the Membership Officer and kept in NSW. Register information may be provided to NSW Police or other formal government agencies in compliance with the Firearms Act. Founding Members (maximum 10) are those noted on the list that formed and established the club at registration with the Firearms Registry.
Breaches of this policy may result in:
Owner: The Club
Approver: The Club
Review cycle: At least annually, or sooner after legislative change
Club guidance does not replace NSW firearms law.
