The Federal Government convened National Cabinet in December 2025 to push for stronger gun laws, with individual states and territories then choosing whether to participate in the proposed framework.
The Queensland Government reforms that followed aimed to “stamp out terrorist extremism” and criminal conduct, rather than being directed at law-abiding Queenslanders. For that reason, the suggested gun buyback scheme and cap on the number of firearms a person can legally own weren’t adopted in Queensland.
Mandatory mental health reporting
All Queensland Health professional carers are now required to notify the Queensland Police Service Commissioner where they form the opinion that a person is unsuitable to possess a firearm due to physical or mental health concerns. A QH professional carer means a person registered to practise in the medical, psychology, and nursing professions, or is a social worker or professional counsellor.
Strengthened Firearms Prohibition Orders
The use of firearms prohibition orders has been expanded, allowing police to immediately act on intelligence about extremists, terrorists and organised crime figures – banning them from ever holding a weapons licence.
Increased penalties for firearms trafficking
The maximum penalty for stealing and trafficking firearms and ammunition has been increased to life imprisonment – the highest in the nation.
Reckless discharge towards a building or vehicle
A new offence has been introduced targeting drive-by shootings and attacks on places of worship.
Expanded police powers for licence eligibility assessments
The test for weapons licence eligibility has shifted from a “fit and proper person” assessment to focus on a person’s future risk. This has placed greater emphasis on the range of suitability considerations, with the breadth of information reviewed now including any history of violence, threatened violence or weapons-related offending.
Citizenship requirements
Exemptions for primary producers exist to the new rule that Queensland weapons licence holders can generally now only be Australian citizens. Those hoping to rely on the exemption should seek legal advice to confirm their eligibility.
What this means for farmers and graziers
For most responsible licence holders in rural Queensland, these reforms will not significantly affect day-to-day firearm use and ownership. The Queensland Government’s rejection of a buyback scheme reflects its acknowledgment of the legitimate role firearms play in primary industries.
That said, the new citizenship requirement, mandatory mental health reporting obligations and expanded licence eligibility assessments mean new applications may take longer to process.
Thynne + Macartney’s agriculture lawyers have experience helping farmers and graziers with firearms licences and renewals.
This information is intended to provide a general summary only and should not be relied on as a substitute for legal advice.
