Well I finally got a decent bit of luck on jobs.

What does a non-resident Alien working for the US Goverment in Canberra have to do to own and use a rifle and a shotgun. I understand bolt and pump or break action only.

thanks a lot.

Pretty much have to jump through the same hoops as the locals have to. Which include safety training, and provision of 'gunsafe level' secure storage [which will be inspected before the licence is approved]. Canberra is in the Australian Capital Territory [ACT] [like Washington is in the DC], so it has its own firearm laws.

One thing you'll need though, is sufficient proof of identity. To the same standard as is required to open a bank account here.
It's a '100 points' system, explained here .

Start here for basic licensing info, and links to more detail and regulatory agencies: http://www.ssaa.org.au/licensing-security.html

You will essentially have to join a shooting club, to give you a 'genuine reason' to own firearms.
The SSAA covers the widest variety of range disciplines [as well as hunting], and has a basic info page for their ACT branch, which has a range complex:
http://www.ssaa.org.au/act/ssaa-act-inc.html
They also provide safety training courses.

Firearms are classified into licensing categories here. Categories A and B [longarms] are the more readily available ones - the barriers are a lot higher for pump shotguns, all semiautos, and handguns.

Cat A includes bolt, lever and break open shotguns and rimfire rifles, pump action rimfires and air longarms. Cat B includes muzzleloading rifles and bolt, pump, lever and break open centrefire rifles.

Hope this info gets you started out!
Dunno about bringing any in with you though - at this end, that would require import permits arranged in advance through a dealer, who would then have to hold them until the paperwork's all OK. And there are some mandated delays in the licensing process.

It may be worth considering signing up to the most active Australian shooting/hunting forum, www.australianhunting.net , for contact with ACT locals.

Thanks,

I'll work on it. I talked to where I am going to be working and it sounds like a great area.

You will need some kind of residency visa I am pretty sure (not just a tourist or short term visa). You dont need to be a club member to neccesarily get your licence for hunting.... if you know a property owner, with a suitable sized property - a letter from them will suffice. If you have to go down the club road I am a member of a good national hunting club with members in NSW. Plenty of public land hunting nearby in NSW too!!

I dont think bringing guns with you are an option - pretty sure you will need to have them shipped once you get your licence.

It really isnt that hard to get...

1. Club membership and/or property letter
2. Firearm safety test.
3. Firearm safe and inspection, if owning your own guns.
4. Licence application

Not too hard really...

Matt thanks,

I am going to leave my guns at Dad's house in Wyoming. I'll be in Canberra for 3 years, and not sure how it will work as I'll be at the embassy. I am sure there will be a bit of red tape, but I think in the end it will be worth it. Just a shotgun, a 22, and a 30-06 type rifle would do everything I needed. Don't have dilusions of granduer on being able to hunt everything Australia provides. Would be happy to get some foxes, pigs, and maybe a couple deer while I am there.

I would provide you a "property letter" as a reason to own and use a firearm in Aus,join the ADA aus deer association which is another reason to own and hunt legally ...you might have some red tape paperwork but you will breeze through it..especially if you are an espionage agent coming out to spy on KRUDD

Thats a generous offer from Gryphon with the property letter. Definitely encourage you to join a local hunting club too but if you use that as your 'genuine reason' you may need to attend club functions to qualify. With the property letter you do not.

Canberra is actually pretty well placed as far as public land hunting nearby - once you have your licence (or even before) you can qualify for public land hunting here (R-licence) http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au .

Good idea just to buy some guns here once you get your licence... you'll save a lot by not bringing your own... and recover most of it when you leave.

I'll send you a PM about the hunting clubs...

Thank you all, I will take you up on the offer for certain.

Yes a Tikka or some other reasonable priced rifle in 308 or 30-06, and I can order a scope from the states.

Not a spy just a fat Navy Parachute rigger, who kissed a lot of ass to get to go to Australia.

well if you keep clean shaved and kiss mine I might even take you deer hunting.

Gryphon,

Sorry Bud, but I am all smooched out. Clean shaved is a occupational hazard the military forces on us.