SSPC ACTSporting Shooters Pistol Club

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The Training Process

As a member, you can access the training and assessment needed to apply for a Category H (handgun) licence. It involves many sessions over at least six months.

The Chief Instructor schedules new members into Stage One training once membership is confirmed. For questions about membership, email the New Member Coordinator. For questions about training, email the Chief Instructor.

Hearing and eye protection are mandatory on SSPC ACT ranges. Buy your own and bring them to every session, including the Safe Handling Course. Without them, you won't be able to train.

1. Safe Handling Course

Every new member seeking an H class licence must complete this course. It covers four components: Legislation, Safety, and General Knowledge 1 and 2.

The course combines pre-reading, written assessments, and live range activities and competencies. It usually runs over two days, is scheduled monthly depending on instructor availability, and is assessed as pass or fail.

NSW residents who pass receive a Pistol Safety Handling Course Completion Certificate, which is needed to apply for a Probationary Pistol Licence (PPL) through the NSW Police Force Gun Safe online service.

2. Shooting Familiarisation Assessment

Next, you'll build familiarity with handling a handgun, shooting principles and courses of fire, with time to ask questions not covered in the Safe Handling Course.

3. Probation Rotation

Over six months, you'll try the club's disciplines, building confidence and competence with different firearms. You're responsible for scheduling and attending live-fire sessions, in this order:

  1. ISSF
  2. Air Pistol and Black Powder
  3. 25 yard Service
  4. Field Pistol and/or Metallic Silhouette
  5. Service (50 yard)
  6. Action
  7. IPSC

Arrange each rotation with the relevant Discipline Coordinator (see Contact Us). If you have trouble reaching a discipline, contact the Chief Instructor first, or the New Member Coordinator.

By the end, you'll have a good sense of which discipline suits you and the firearms each one uses.

4. Final Assessment

After completing the Probation Rotation (no less than six months), you'll sit a Final Assessment: a written test and a practical demonstration of safe, competent firearm handling.

Members who pass receive SSPC ACT documentation to support their H class licence application (ACT), or to apply for their first Permit to Acquire (NSW). Licences and permits are issued by the relevant Firearms Registry, not by the club.

From training to licence

The path to a full H class licence differs between the ACT and NSW.

ACT residents

0 to 6 months

  1. Join SSPC ACTComplete The Membership Process.
  2. Safe Handling CourseTwo consecutive nights. Club guidance: this is Day 0 of your 12-month probationary period.
  3. Familiarisation AssessmentOnce deemed competent, you move to the Probation Rotation.
  4. Probation RotationVisit each discipline. Club guidance: this must be completed within six months, or the process starts again.
  5. Final AssessmentYou receive your signed Safe Handling Course certificate, your record of shooting experience, and the instructor's signature and club stamp on your licence application form.

6 to 12 months

  1. Lodge your application in personTake your AFP Adult Firearms Licence Application (signed and stamped), Safe Handling Course certificate, Probation Rotation record and Access Canberra payment receipt to the ACT Firearms Registry. Incomplete applications are not processed.
  2. Registry assessmentClub guidance: allow at least 28 days after lodging. You remain on probation for the rest of the 12 months.

12 months and beyond

  1. Full H class licenceIssued by the ACT Firearms Registry, not the club.
  2. Keep shootingClub guidance: attend at least six scored matches every 1 July to 30 June.

Summarised from the club's ACT residents licence process guide (PDF, Sep 2024). Timeframes are indicative. Your Firearms Registry sets the requirements.

NSW residents

0 to 6 months

  1. Join SSPC ACTComplete The Membership Process.
  2. Safe Handling CourseTwo consecutive nights. You receive a NSW Pistol Safe Handling Course Completion Certificate.
  3. Apply for a Probationary Pistol Licence (PPL)Apply online through Service NSW / NSW Police Force Gun Safe, uploading your SSPC ACT membership, SSAA membership and certificate. Club guidance: this can take 4 to 6 weeks.
  4. PPL issuedYour 12-month PPL period starts from the issue date.
  5. Familiarisation Assessment and Probation RotationBegin once you have your PPL card. Club guidance: complete three mandatory club shoots within the first six months of your PPL.
  6. Final AssessmentBring a screenshot of your PPL record. The Chief Instructor certifies your training, which you upload to Gun Safe. Club guidance: if training isn't completed within the first six months, the club must notify the NSW Firearms Registry and your H class application will be cancelled.

6 to 12 months

  1. Complete three more club shootsClub guidance: before your PPL expires, or you start again.
  2. First Permit to Acquire (optional)If you apply for a PTA in this period, submit your training completion paperwork with it.
  3. Submit completion paperworkClub guidance: to the NSW Firearms Registry at least 90 days before your PPL expires. Once you acquire a handgun, NSW mandatory attendance requirements apply.

12 months and beyond

  1. Full H class licenceIssued by the NSW Firearms Registry, not the club.
  2. Keep shootingClub guidance: attend at least six scored matches every 1 July to 30 June.

Summarised from the club's NSW residents licence process guide (PDF, Sep 2024). Timeframes are indicative. Your Firearms Registry sets the requirements.