How to get a Silencer/Suppressor Permit in NSW

First things first: we all know these devices are actually suppressors since they don’t silence a firearm. However, for the sake of keeping inline with the NSW Firearms Registry description, I’m going to call them silencers in this article.

Alright, guys, here’s the truth straight out of the gate: just like getting started as a contract shooter, there’s literally no secret about how to get a silencer permit in NSW. All the information you need is available online from the NSW Firearms Registry (I will link to it all later in this article). This article is simply to make it all a little clearer on how to apply.

At the time of this writing there were only two categories of shooters who were being approved for silencer usage outside of government agencies:

1. Primary producers a.k.a. farmers and rural land operators where pest animal control is a core component of their business.
2. Vertebrate pest animal controllers a.k.a. contract shooters.

Now, I say ‘approved’ since you can also apply as a recreational hunter or sporting shooter for a silencer permit. However, I’m not aware of anyone who has applied and had their application approved. Just because the box is listed on the application form doesn’t mean the application will get processed and approved. But hey, if you fancy gambling $75 on an application as a recreational hunter or sporting shooter, then why the hell not apply! Personally, I’d give it a crack.

Not to get off topic, but I genuinely believe that all licensed shooters should have unrestricted access to these devices simply for hearing protection. As someone who has had tinnitus for years, I can confirm how annoying it is and that you should look after your hearing at all costs. For that reason alone, we should all be shooting suppressed as it really makes a big difference. No, it does not ‘silence’ a firearm, but it does reduce the muzzle report to a level that won’t send you immediately deaf or give you tinnitus. 

Point in case: when practical, I still wear hearing protection when shooting anything centrefire suppressed. It just means if I need to take a quick shot without hearing protection, I can do it and not risk major noise exposure.

Back on topic, if you’re either a primary producer or contract shooter, you can apply for a 'prohibited weapons permit' for the possession and use of silencers.

Applying for a Silencer Permit

There are a couple pieces of paper you need to fill out and post back to NSWFAR. This is not an online application. You quite literally need to post it. You can also attach additional pages to support your genuine reason if the field on the form isn’t big enough.

Here are the components:

• Silencer Application Form: The silencer application form can be found here: Silencer Application Form.
• Genuine Reason Form: The genuine reason form can be found here: Genuine Reason Form.

Silencer Application Form

Filling out this form is straightforward. Just go ahead and fill it out.

Genuine Reason Form

Again, this is mostly straightforward. Just tick the boxes and enter the appropriate details. Make sure you list the number of silencers required and the firearm registration numbers. My advice is to be conservative about the number of silencers you initially apply for. Apply for the number you genuinely ‘need’, not the number you ‘want’. You can always apply for an increase later when your actual needs change. I have successfully increased my permit limit a couple of times now.

Now, the part where you need to provide evidence as to why you need to possess and use silencers needs to be specific to your business. Just note down all the reasons why using a silencer is necessary when performing pest control. Once you’ve been in the industry long enough, it is very obvious how silencers help. I can’t give you the specific reasons since it needs to be specific to your business case. Just make sure you read the Fact Sheet Silencer article to know that listing ‘hearing protection’ isn’t a good enough reason to possess and use a silencer. You will get a ‘refused’ letter from NSWFAR saying please wear hearing protection.

Also, attach a copy of a customer contract where you have listed permission to use silencers on their property as part of a pest control job. That requirement is easy to overlook when ticking the boxes.

The last thing you need to answer is how you will store the silencers. The answer to that question is outlined in the Prescribed Safe Storage for Prohibited Weapons article.

Final Pieces Before You Can Apply

The last thing you need is an Australian passport approved photo endorsed by either a JP or a police officer, whichever is convenient. 

Pop all those forms and your endorsed photo in a registered or express post envelope, and send it off to the registry. I wouldn’t recommend normal post with sensitive data like that. You want tracking to ensure the best chance it will get delivered successfully.

Then all you can do is wait and hope for approval. Good luck!

Purchasing Silencers In Australia

If you got your permit approved, then congrats, it’s time to go shopping!

In Australia, it isn’t legal to import silencers, so we only have the option of purchasing locally made silencers. As far as I’m aware, there are only a few manufacturers who make these devices locally. They are:

• Wedgetail Industries - rimfire/centrefire
• Shawmac Industries - rimfire/centrefire
• Hermann’s Sporting Guns (ViperTek) - air rifles only

I personally run Wedgetail Industries suppressors for my rimfire and centrefire rifles and ViperTek for my air rifle. 

All these manufacturers build awesome products. As I said, I run Wedgetail Industries and ViperTek silencers, and I have no hesitation in recommending them. But in all fairness, among all the professional shooters I work closely with there’s a good mix running Shawmac silencers, and they all have no hesitation in recommending them either.

At the end of the day, it comes down to your budget and the specific features you’re looking for in a silencer outside just noise suppression. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these manufacturers.

So, now that you have your permit, make sure you check out all those manufacturers. Whoever you choose to go with, I'm sure you will be happy.

Until next time, happy (suppressed) shooting.