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Australia. 2008 ‘Small Arms and Light Weapons UN Report.’ National Report of Australia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), pp. 2-3. New York, NY: Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations. 1 July

Relevant contents

Export/Import/Transhipment controls

Australia implements strict and comprehensive controls and licensing procedures to regulate the import and export of small arms, including transhipment. These controls regulate the legal trade in small arms, which in turn helps to prevent illicit trafficking.

All proposed exports from Australia of defence and related goods, including small arms, are subject to comprehensive, case-by-case Government review and licensing procedures. Licence approvals are issued only for exports that are consistent with Australia's international obligations and broader interests, including foreign policy, security and human rights considerations.

Imports -- General controls

Australia applies tight controls to all firearms imports. Importers are required to obtain permission from the Federal Attorney-General or State and Territory police prior to the importation of firearms, their parts and ammunition. Approval can only be granted where all legislative requirements have been met, which includes the importer satisfying the relevant import test and being authorised/licensed to possess the type of firearm concerned and the firearm/s meeting thorough safety testing undertaken by Customs.

Generally, the import tests require the importer to establish a genuine need for importing the firearm, such as, for government purposes, sports shooting or vertebrate pest control.

Additionally, limits are placed on the stocks of newly imported handguns and other highly restricted firearms that importers/dealers can hold (stocks of such firearms over and above the set limits must be held by Customs)

ID: Q1737

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