Australian firearm categories — A, B, C, D, H explained

Australia uses a five-category system for civilian firearms — A, B, C, D and H. The categories were set by the National Firearms Agreement in 1996 and are implemented by each state's Firearms Act. Categories E and R exist in some states for specific prohibited or restricted classes.

Category A

• Air rifles, rimfire rifles (not semi-auto), single/double-barrelled shotguns, paintball markers.
• Most common entry-point firearms.
• Genuine reasons: hunting/vermin, sport/target, primary production, collection.

Category B

• Muzzle-loading firearms, single/double-barrelled centrefire rifles, lever/pump centrefire repeating rifles.
• Same genuine reasons as A; additional storage scrutiny in some states.

Category C

• Semi-auto rimfire rifles (capacity ≤ 10 rounds), pump/semi-auto shotguns (capacity ≤ 5 rounds).
• Restricted: primary producers, professional vermin controllers, very limited sport-shooting access.

Category D

• Semi-auto centrefire rifles, semi-auto/pump shotguns above Cat C capacity.
• Almost no civilian access — government, police, professional shooters in narrow contexts.

Category H

• Handguns. Highest scrutiny.
• Sport shooter (with attendance and club requirements) or occupational (security, paid roles).
• Calibre limits: typically capped at .38 / 9mm for general sport, with exceptions for IPSC and metallic silhouette.

Storage and licensing requirements escalate by category. The full text of your state's Firearms Act is the authoritative source — see the legislation reference for your state.