Extensive consultation was undertaken to identify training needs with a view to offering greater access to a wider spectrum of training and education solutions. These will be focused on meeting the current industry requirements, where the availability of quality training providers and resources are presently limited and unable to cope with the growing demand.

Training the safest civilian firearms owners in the world

SSAA NSW provides an effective and credible voice on behalf of all NSW shooters to the wider public, community leaders and authorities. We know that training, safety and professionalism are extremely important in the normalising and acceptance of our sport in the wider community.

ITS is key to SSAA NSW being a positive influencer for all legal firearms owners in NSW. Like our ranges, ITS provides an avenue to show the decision makers in government that NSW legal firearms owners are serious about being the best, safest and most well-trained civilian firearms owners in the world.

Higher levels of training and accreditation

SSAA NSW has established ITS to build upon the foundations of training already offered on our ranges around the state. Once licensed, SSAA NSW has the ranges and qualified range officers to induct legal firearms owner in safety, competency and ethics.

ITS will further the education of our shooters, providing accreditation at the highest levels of safety and skill, above that of a standard firearms licence test.

Registered Training Organisation

ITS commenced operations on 1 January 2021 with the engagement of Guy Pitchford as the Training Manager. Over the past nine months ITS has been establishing courses, policies and procedures and, despite COVID-19 delays, has recently completed a rigorous assessment process by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) for registration as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).  It is expected that ASQA will advise the outcome of this process soon.

As previously advised, ITS WILL NOT be competing with Branches for the delivery of the SSAA NSW Firearm Safety Training Program.

Once it gains RTO status, ITS will be concentrating on delivering nationally accredited training courses.  ITS will also be developing and delivering a range of associated non-accredited courses.  As the scope of these courses expands, it is proposed that ITS will offer a “Master Hunter” accreditation which will involve students studying a range of accredited and non-accredited courses at their own pace.

Registrations now open

Click here to download a flyer seeking registrations for an online training course in Basic Navigation.  We would encourage you to circulate this as widely as possible within your shooting community.  Further information may be obtained from the ITS general contact email address: info@itstraining.com.au

The first priority of SSAA NSW is the safety of all members, volunteers and staff. As the only peak body in NSW with a training organisation, SSAA NSW is committed to promoting the highest levels of public safety and proud to be the safest shooting body in the state. We are excited to offer this new opportunity to our members and all legal firearms owners in NSW.

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For the benefit of members, SSAA NSW sought written clarification from the NSW Firearms Registry for members to rely upon in the event they are provided with incorrect information. SSAA NSW has received the following response:

“Recreational hunters may conduct a sight alignment (iron sight/optical sight) and ammunition load development on NSW Shooting Range facilities, if the calibre of the firearms does not exceed the authorised ammunition on the range approval.”

The relevant section of the Firearms Regulations 2017 is Reg 33 which states that licences and permits extend to authorise sighting in, patterning and related activities. Please see the full wording of the regulation below:

FIREARMS REGULATION 2017 – REG 33

Licences and permits extend to authorise sighting in, patterning and related activities

33 Licences and permits extend to authorise sighting in, patterning and related activities

(1) The authority conferred by a licence or permit that authorises the use of a firearm by a person extends to include the use of a firearm by the person for the purposes of any of the following activities–

(a) sighting in the firearm (including sight alignment and including patterning of a shotgun),

(b) tuning of the firearm (including the adjusting or aligning of a shotgun),

(c) familiarisation with or testing of ammunition,

(d) practising on stationary targets (or moving targets in the case of a shotgun) but only for the purposes of an activity referred to in paragraphs (a)-(c).

(2) This clause authorises the use of a firearm on any land on which use of the firearm is not otherwise unlawful and is not limited to use at an approved shooting range.

(3) This clause does not authorise–

(a) the use of a firearm to participate in shooting activities conducted by a shooting club at an approved shooting range except the specific activities referred to in subclause (1), or

(b) the use of a shooting range otherwise than in accordance with the approval of the shooting range, including any conditions subject to which the approval was granted.

(4) For the removal of doubt, this clause does not prevent a person who is the holder of a licence or permit from using a firearm at an approved shooting range pursuant to the exemption conferred by section 6B of the Act.

It is important to note that each individual range chooses what they permit within their approvals. While hunters may conduct certain activities on a range, we remind our members that they must check with their local range as to what calibre or activity is permissible on that particular range.

Please note that if a police officer directs you in a manner that is contrary to the regulation (and the information supplied by the NSW Firearms Registry), you should follow their advice at the time of the direction, as a law-abiding firearms owner.

There are different ways to resolve the matter if the regulation has been applied incorrectly. You may have the direction reviewed at your local police station through the Local Area Commander or seek clarification from the NSW Firearms Registry. If there are any issues, please do not hesitate to contact SSAA NSW and we will advocate on your behalf.

SSAA NSW values all facets of shooting, including hunters and target shooters, and we will continue to advocate for all members.

Thank you,

Lance Miller – President, SSAA NSW
Jai Rowell – CEO/Executive Director, SSAA NSW

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Lance takes on this important role at a critical time for the National Association. Lance’s leadership at a state level has seen strong membership growth, range development projects being completed and of course a determined and increased focus on advocacy at all levels of Government for Law Abiding Firearm Owners. At a National level, Lance has already hit the ground working, developing strategic goals that will benefit members and enhance the Association.”

We look forward to supporting Lance in his positions as SSAA NSW and SSAA National President and hope you will join with us in wishing him well!

Please click here for the full announcement by SSAA National.

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