Updated August 14, 2026
Having a firearms licence in Victoria is only part of your legal obligations. Completing the Victorian firearm safety course is essential. But how you store your firearms matters just as much because it points to maintaining firearms safety, and getting it wrong can lead to serious criminal charges.
Storage rules aren’t just a formality for holding your licence. They are enforceable requirements under the Firearms Act 1996 (Vic). The police treat breaches severely, which is why this guide outlines what the law states, the offences that can be levied for non-compliance, practical steps to avoid charges, and when to seek legal options.
Victoria regulates the storage of firearms very closely, with obligations differing based on the firearm involved and how you store it. The goal behind Victorian firearm safety is public safety: reducing the risks associated with carrying unsecured firearms that go beyond the licence holder, including misuse, theft, and access by an unauthorised or prohibited person. Storage responsibilities apply the moment you possess firearms, whether they’re in a safe at home or on business premises.
The Firearms Act is the primary legislation that mandates a Victorian firearm licence and governs the possession, storage, and use of firearms anywhere in this Australian state. Part 6 of the Act sets out storage requirements, with Schedule 4 outlining the technical specifications for each licence category. Section 121 discusses the core storage offences, with penalties tied to the type of firearm involved: category A, B, C, D, or E. Under the firearm safety code, you must store the firearm in accordance with these provisions, and any breach can lead to a serious offence.
Anyone with a Victorian firearms licence must comply with storage requirements, which show they lawfully possess their firearms. This applies regardless of category, meaning everyone from longarm licence holders to category E handgun holders, general category licence holders, and firearms collectors must abide by the storage rules, or risk facing significant penalties.
Schedule 4 of the Act states the physical standards your firearms storage must meet. Your exact requirements might vary depending not just on the firearm you possess, but also on the following elements: the type of container, how it’s fixed in place, ammunition storage, and controlling its access. As someone with a firearm, knowing these is one of the best ways to avoid a storage offence in the first place.
Category A and B longarms must be kept in a steel or hardwood receptacle that can’t be penetrated easily. General category handgun licences, or those for category C or D longarms, require storage in a purpose-built steel receptacle that’s at least 1.6 mm thick, complying with the Australian/New Zealand Standard 1594:2002.
Your storage receptacle must be bolted to the structure of the premises where you have been authorised to store it, only if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when empty. The receptacle must also be locked with a sturdy lock when the firearm is kept inside it. Additionally, if you store over 15 firearms on the same premises, you must install an intruder alarm system that complies with Australian Standard 2201.1:2007.
Storing firearms and cartridge ammunition requires separate precautions. Ammunition must be kept in a locked container separate from the compartment storing the firearm itself. However, using a purpose-built safe that includes an internal, separately locked ammunition box is legally compliant, provided the ammunition cannot be accessed without its own key, combination, or lock.
Storage rules under the Firearms Act ensure that only proper persons can access the firearms, as in, the ones who actually hold the licence. A visitor, family member, tradesperson, or any non-prohibited person isn’t supposed to access it. Hence, the receptacle and ammunition storage must remain locked. The keys to both must be with the licence holder, and only they can remove their firearm or ammunition.
Storage offences under the Firearms Act fall into a few recurring categories: unsecured firearm storage, improper ammunition storage, unauthorised access, and not notifying storage address changes. Victorian police tend to lay charges after routine checks, burglaries, domestic incidents, and licence renewal inspections or investigations involving an unlicensed firearm or an unregistered firearm that reveal non-compliant storage. A serious charge can sometimes also lead to an indictable offence, which is why early action and legal guidance matter.
This is one of the most common storage offences, falling under section 121 of the Act. You can be charged with this when you haven’t kept your firearm in the receptacle required for its category or when the receptacle doesn’t meet the Schedule 4 standard. For a category A or B longarm, this offence can carry a maximum penalty of 60 units or 12 months of imprisonment.
Storing cartridge ammunition in an unlocked container or in the same receptacle as a firearm breaches the Act’s storage requirement, even when it’s stored correctly. This offence is charged separately from a firearm storage offence, which means that an inspection can lead to two charges simultaneously.
Leaving a firearm accessible to an unauthorised person, whether due to carelessness or deliberation, is treated severely. This offence can be charged for instances like giving the receptacle key or combination to an unlicensed individual, leaving it unlocked, or storing firearms where anyone can reach them.
Under Section 139 of the Act, you must notify the Chief Commissioner of Police within 14 days regarding any change to your storage, residential, or postal address. Moving firearms without notifying is a common and very avoidable offence.
When found guilty, the penalties for firearms storage offences can vary depending on the risk of the firearm involved. Victorian courts take these offences seriously even when they don’t result in injuries or theft. Beyond the criminal penalty itself, a conviction can impact both your licence and your ability to get one in the future. Under section 121, penalties here can range from 60 penalty units or 12 months’ imprisonment to 240 penalty units or 4 years’ imprisonment.
While charges for incorrect storage of ammunition can be summary offences, firearm storage offences under section 121 are criminal charges. They are usually heard in the Magistrates’ Court, with penalties depending on the firearm category. Category A or B longarms can carry 60 penalty units or 12 months’ imprisonment, while category E firearms carry 240 units or 4 years.
Not complying with storage requirements is often why the Chief Commissioner cancels firearms licences under section 49 of the Act. Before cancellation, though, the Commissioner usually issues a notice of proposal, giving you 28 days to provide written submissions.
Victoria Police have the right to check firearms storage compliance, and they do so as part of licence renewals, responding to complaints, or an unrelated investigation. Moreover, all firearms licences have the condition that the holder must allow the police to inspect their storage facilities at any reasonable time, so you must comply whenever it happens.
Under section 150 of the Act, police can ask you to produce your firearms licence for inspection. Section 120 makes it an offence if you don’t produce it upon request. Where a member of the police has reasonable grounds to believe that a storage offence has occurred, they can apply for a search warrant under section 146 to the Magistrates’ Court.
An inspection generally involves the police inspecting your receptacle to check if it meets the Schedule 4 standard as per your licence category. They check whether an unregistered firearm has been unlawfully possessed or stored. They also check if it’s been bolted appropriately and if the ammunition is stored separately. Additionally, the police can inspect the type of firearms stored and their quantity to determine the necessary storage requirements.
Under Victorian law, firearms storage doesn’t just apply to keeping them within premises. Section 126 also governs how you must maintain firearm safety while using or carrying it, with the requirements depending on your licence category.
In most cases, firearms should be transported safely by keeping them unloaded, out of sight, and locked in a padded or hard case. Ammunition must be kept in a separate, locked container, with keys in the holder’s possession.
Section 126 also has specific legislative requirements to ensure safety when carrying or using a firearm and its cartridge ammunition. Regardless of the type of firearm, you must ensure that it is carried or used safely. You must also take reasonable precautions to protect your firearm and ammunition from loss or theft.
Most offences for storage of firearms can be easily avoided with some planning. Consider these tips to ensure the same:
Melbourne’s urban storage often translates into firearms being kept in shared premises, townhouses, and environments prone to unauthorised access. This is why licence holders here face particular scrutiny. Break-ins to access firearms are common. Plus, police leverage storage compliance as their frontline defence to prevent risks like loaded firearms falling in the wrong hands. A storage offence conviction can also affect things like insurance claims, licence renewals, and employment involving occupational licences. Hence, it’s critical to maintain compliance if you do have a licensed firearm.
Get a reliable criminal lawyer involved as soon as you become aware of a storage issue, whether through a police visit or a licence cancellation notice. Early intervention is vital to preparing for police contact; what you say during an inspection can be used against you later. A lawyer can also prevent premature admissions from your side, assess the credibility of a defence, and represent you at court hearings or licence reviews if necessary.
The Victorian Government’s rules for storage of firearms are strictly enforced under the Firearms Act. Breaching them in any way, even unintentionally, can lead to serious consequences. Fortunately, the rules are very detailed and largely a matter of ensuring secure storage, controlled access, and updates to the authorities if required. If you do face a storage-related charge, your best bet is getting advice from an expert criminal lawyer early on, so you can protect both your licence and your record.
“This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult a qualified criminal defence lawyer before making any decisions regarding your matter”
