Weapons Licensing Branch (WLB) have informed us that they will no longer approve PTAs for not-yet-issued firearm licences.

For some years the practice has been for shooters to lodge their licence application and first PTA at the same time, since it takes months for the licence to be issued anyway. That way the mandatory 28 day waiting period for a first PTA would run as part of the licence processing time, meaning the shooter could get their licence and PTA at the same time.

WLB advise this process is now causing all sorts of administrative issues and slowing down PTA issuing times generally, and that they will now contact anyone who lodges a PTA before their licence is approved and ask them to withdraw their application (and receive a refund).

While this stance raises all sorts of questions (like how come it hasn’t been an issue until recently), it is the process WLB have implemented.  Both Shooters Union and our industry partners are working to get the previous system reinstated.

In the meantime, unfortunately, it means new licence applicants should not be applying for a PTA until their firearms licence has been issued and the licence card received.

TLDR: DO NOT APPLY FOR A QUEENSLAND PERMIT TO ACQUIRE UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN ISSUED YOUR FIREARMS LICENCE