Gun Safe Requirements in Victoria: Storage Rules Explained

Gun safe requirements in Victoria are the same for Category A and B longarms, Category C and D longarms and general category handguns: all must be stored in a purpose-built steel receptacle made of steel at least 1.6 mm thick that complies with AS/NZS 1594:2002. If the receptacle weighs less than 150 kg when empty, it must be bolted to the structure of the premises, and it must be locked with a sturdy lock whenever a firearm is inside. Cartridge ammunition goes in a separate locked container.

These rules are set out in Schedule 4 of the Firearms Act 1996 (Vic). The biggest recent change took effect on 30 August 2022, when hardwood cabinets stopped being acceptable for Category A and B longarms. Below we explain what the law says for each licence type, what changed in 2022, and how to check your setup before a police inspection. To see how Victoria compares with the other states and territories, read our state-by-state guide to gun safe requirements in Australia.

Where gun safe requirements in Victoria come from

Victoria’s storage rules are in Schedule 4 of the Firearms Act 1996, headed “Storage requirements”. It has separate items for each kind of licence: longarm licences for Category A and B, longarm licences for Category C and D together with handgun licences for general category handguns, firearms collectors licences, firearms heirlooms licences and ammunition collectors licences.

Victoria Police explains the rules on its firearm storage page, and the current text of the Act is published on the Victorian Legislation website. We have summarised both below, but the Act is the authority. Rules can change, so confirm the details with Victoria Police or your Divisional Firearms Officer before you buy or install a safe.

Category A and B longarms: the 2022 change

Before 30 August 2022, Category A and B longarms could be kept in a receptacle made of hardwood or steel that was not easily penetrable. A 2021 amendment to the Act replaced that wording with the same steel standard that already applied to Category C and D longarms and handguns. These are the licence categories most recreational hunters and farmers hold, so the change affected a large number of owners.

Under item 1 of Schedule 4, a Category A or B longarm must now be stored in a purpose-built steel storage receptacle that:

• is made of steel at least 1.6 mm thick that complies with AS/NZS 1594:2002
• is bolted to the structure of the premises where the firearm is kept, if it weighs less than 150 kg when empty
• is locked with a lock of sturdy construction whenever a firearm is stored in it

Victoria Police says the requirements apply to current owners as well as people applying for a licence or planning to buy a firearm. If you still use a timber cabinet from before 2022 for these categories, it no longer meets the standard. Paintball markers follow the same storage rules as Category A and B longarms.

Category C and D longarms and general category handguns

Item 2 of Schedule 4 applies the same receptacle standard: purpose-built steel at least 1.6 mm thick to AS/NZS 1594:2002, bolted down if under 150 kg empty, and locked with a sturdy lock. It adds one extra rule. When the receptacle is not being accessed, the key must either be carried by the licence holder or kept securely in a separate room from the receptacle.

That key rule is easy to overlook. A key left in a drawer beside the safe, or on a hook in the same room, does not meet it. If your safe has a digital or combination lock, keep the code private and change it if you think someone has seen it. Our article on choosing between key, digital and combination gun safe locks covers the practical pros and cons. Pistol owners will find more on layouts and sizes in our Category H handgun storage guide.

When you need an intruder alarm

For both item 1 and item 2 licences, if more than 15 firearms are stored on the premises, the premises must be fitted with an intruder alarm system. The Act requires that the alarm’s installation, maintenance and operation comply with AS 2201.1:2007, and that an intrusion sets off an audible alarm and an external visible warning light.

The count is the number of firearms on the premises, so think about everyone who stores firearms at the address, not only your own licence. Victoria Police also notes that adding firearms at a location may mean an alarm becomes necessary.

Ammunition storage in Victoria

Cartridge ammunition must be stored in a locked container separate from the receptacle that holds the firearm. Victoria Police says a single purpose-built unit with two separately lockable compartments is acceptable, which is why many rifle safes include an internal lockable ammunition box. A standalone ammunition safe is the other common option. Our guide to storing ammunition legally compares both approaches.

Collectors and heirloom licences

Collectors licences carry tougher premises requirements. Item 3 of Schedule 4 calls for a permanent building with secure locks on all openings, a room with solid walls, barred windows and a reinforced door with protected hinges, and a steel (or other robust) container firmly fixed to the wall or floor. An intruder alarm is required if more than 5 firearms are stored on the premises, or more than 15 antique handguns.

Heirloom licences are the exception to the steel-only rule. Item 4 still allows a receptacle of hardwood or steel that is not easily penetrable, fixed to the floor or wall frame if it weighs under 150 kg, and locked with a sturdy lock. An heirloom firearm may instead be displayed fixed to a wall so that it cannot be readily removed.

Choosing a safe that meets Victoria’s rules

Victoria Police says a commercially made gun safe is not mandatory, but a self-built receptacle must still meet the Act’s minimum specifications. It also says a clothing or school locker cannot be used, even if modified. In practice most owners buy a purpose-built gun safe because the steel thickness and construction are easier to demonstrate at inspection.

When comparing safes, check:

• the stated steel thickness of the body and door (at least 1.6 mm)
• pre-drilled anchor holes so it can be bolted to a floor or wall
• an internal lockable compartment if you want ammunition in the same unit
• real internal space for scoped rifles, not just the advertised gun count

In our gun and rifle safe range, rifle cabinets start from around $519 (Guardall G2), and mid-size units such as the CMI Rifle Safe SS5 with key lock are around $1,611. Prices change, so check the product page for the current figure, and ask us to confirm a model’s specifications against Schedule 4 before you buy.

Bolting it down and police inspections

Most home gun safes weigh well under 150 kg empty, so nearly all of them must be bolted to the structure. We recommend fixing into a concrete slab, or into floor joists or wall studs, rather than relying on floorboards or plasterboard alone. Our step-by-step guide to bolting a gun safe to the floor covers anchor choices for different floors. If you would rather have it done for you, we offer professional gun safe installation across Melbourne and through a national network.

Victoria Police needs to know where your firearms are stored, and a change to your ordinary storage address must be reported within 14 days. Police may inspect your storage at any reasonable time, and an inspection is required when you first obtain a firearm or change your storage address.

Penalties for unsafe storage

According to Victoria Police, penalties for not meeting the storage requirements range from 60 penalty units or 12 months’ imprisonment up to 240 penalty units or four years’ imprisonment, depending on the category of firearm. A storage breach can also put your licence at risk, so it pays to get the safe and the fixing right the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use a timber gun cabinet in Victoria?

Not for Category A, B, C or D longarms or general category handguns. Since 30 August 2022 these must be stored in a purpose-built steel receptacle made of steel at least 1.6 mm thick that complies with AS/NZS 1594:2002. Hardwood is still allowed under a firearms heirloom licence. If you are unsure which rules apply to your licence, check with Victoria Police.

Does my gun safe have to be bolted down in Victoria?

Yes, if it weighs less than 150 kg when empty. Schedule 4 of the Firearms Act 1996 requires a lighter receptacle to be bolted to the structure of the premises where the firearm is kept. Most home gun safes are well under 150 kg, so in practice almost all of them need to be fixed to the floor or wall structure.

Can I keep ammunition inside my gun safe in Victoria?

Only in a separate locked container. The Act requires cartridge ammunition to be stored in a locked container separate from the firearm receptacle. Victoria Police says a single purpose-built unit with two separately lockable compartments is acceptable, so a gun safe with an internal lockable ammunition compartment can work. Leaving loose ammunition on a shelf inside the safe does not comply.

When do I need an alarm for my firearms in Victoria?

For Category A, B, C and D longarm licences and general category handgun licences, an intruder alarm is required if more than 15 firearms are stored on the premises. It must comply with AS 2201.1:2007 and trigger an audible alarm and an external warning light. Collectors licences need an alarm once more than 5 firearms are stored.

Talk to us about a compliant gun safe

Our showroom at 38 Barrie Rd, Tullamarine has over 350 new and used safes on display, including gun and rifle safes from CMI, Guardall, Platinum and Secuguard. Come in to compare sizes and construction side by side, call us on 0409 860 011, or send our team an enquiry and we will help you choose a safe that suits your licence.