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I am posting this question since I know there are a lot of very helpful people on this board. I am strongly considering moving to Australia in the next 6 months with my family for multiple reasons. I am a US medical doctor and at least in Australia I still can get a nice job working for the health service. I have visited Australia once on my Honeymoon 15 years ago and fell in love with the country. My parents are both from Canada and most of my extended family is still there so I am familiar with the culture a little. As a big game hunter I’m in a quandary about want to do with my firearms that I hunt with. I know Australia has much more restrictive gun laws than the US. I have known friends who have brought guns into Australia to hunt with so I know that’s ok. Here’s the big question for those living in Australia should I sell my guns in the USA before the move and try and re buy when I get in country or is it possible to bring a few hunting rifles with me ? Our plan would be a long term move since my girls are in 5th & 7th grades here in the US and we would like to stay for a long time if everything works out. Hopefully someone will have some good advice. Cheers Brad  | ||
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Best of luck with this.. I hope you are able to pull it off. I have given serious consideration to this as well.... More than a few times. | |||
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As an MD you should not have this problem, but I know that you have to prove sufficient assets and income so as to not be a burden on society. Peter. Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong; | |||
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Our laws arn't that bad Brad. What state/Territory do you want to settle down in? I know they are always after doctors in the Northern Territory and thats the heart of big game hunting in Australia. Your best bet is to contact the fierarms registry of whatever state your going to and ask them. It probably be wise to contact Australian customs as well. If you can't find any info give us a yell and I'll post some links. ------------------------------ A mate of mine has just told me he's shagging his girlfriend and her twin. I said "How can you tell them apart?" He said "Her brother's got a moustache!" | |||
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Like Bakes says mate it depends a LOT on the state where you decide to reside. They vary greatly and the laws you will have to comply with are state laws. Western Australia is the worst by far and I dont know why any hunter would want to move there for love or money!! NSW and the NT are probably the easiest with regular sporting rifles at the moment. Can you 'bring them with you'? The short answer is NO - it will not work. A better idea is to leave your guns with a firearm exporter in the USA and once you get settled in AU and have your local permits and credentials established - have the firearms exported to AU and you import them yourself. This would likely be cheaper than selling them in the USA and rebying them here... That is my best advice for you!! There are plenty of good people around who will assist you as well, depending on where you move to. for public hunting opportunities - Victoria or NSW is the place where I would look.... Cheers for now Matt Graham A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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As long as your guns are legal to have in Australia there is no reason not to bring them with you, longarms are reasonably straight forward, handguns I would be inclined to leave in the US. Depending on how many firearms you have it is usually less hassle to bring them as luggage when you come. Aus customs will seize them for safety testing when you arrive and hold them while you get your licance. Al | |||
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The way customs are behaving at the moment... I would caution against that. They may very well send the guns back to the USA!! Remembering it could take several months in some states to get a licence and in WA it could take many, many months, perhaps years for centerfires. I would suggest it could be a great deal more hassle to bring them as luggage... Cost of air freighting them would not be too much. A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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It is possible for a VISITOR to bring firearms with them, and get a temporary firearms licence usually. However if moving here as a resident, it is not a temporary licence where the firearms must also be re-exported. I think it is the best advice to leave them in the USA, obtain an Australian firearms licence, and then export them from the USA, importing them into Australia after getting the licence here. For long arms, most should be able to be imported, except for any semi-autos, pump action shotguns etc. For handguns you need to join a target shooting club etc. I do not know which handguns are banned as I don't have any. Should be very doable with most firearms and not a great problem in most states of Australia. A possible alternative treatment MIGHT be to export them to an Aussie gunshop whom might be able to hold them for you (for a fee) until you are licensed. Possibly worth looking at. BTW a question for any Aussies on here. Do any Australian states NOT allow non citizens to obtain a firearms licence? eg Victoria? | |||
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You guys are all great. Hence part of my reason to move down under. I'm well aware of the various restriction imposed on gun owners in Australia (No Semi's, No pumps, No handguns...). Given the huntable big game up north it would be a shame not to have a rifle or two to given them a good chase. At the present time I'm most interested in NSW or Queensland. I'm working with International Medical Recruiting a recruiting agency for doctors. They seem to be very experienced in bringing doc's in from the states. The good news is I have a mate here in the states who would love to babysit and use anything I leave behind. If I had to narrow things down I'd like to bring my 9.3x62 mauser Bolt and my 416 Rigby Bolt both are Rugers Safari models. Thanks for the heads up on various regulations attached to various states I'll stay away from WA for now. I'm fine with the wait associated with getting a license and the cost even if its a few thousand to get me a couple of rifles into the country. I think at this point I'll start selling the safe queens. Thank you again for the help. I'll post some of the locations that have openings to get the groups input. Brad | |||
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Brad good luck on your move mate. I moved to NZ in 1992 and shot my first center fire rifle in 1993! I am not a doctor but a good friend of mine who was an Endochrinology consultant in NZ moved to the Gold Coast Queensland in 2009. He first took up a job in Mackay north of Brisbane and then he bought a private practice in the Gold Coast. They are very happy & well settled with 3 girls aged from 12 to 5. No he is not a hunter! Hope your are having fun with the 9.3X62. "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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if he imports the firearms into Australia they will have to be sent to a gunshop regardless when it is done. If he did it before he arrived and got a licence - the gunshop would have to be the 'owner' of the firearms I suspect. Would be possible though... A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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Brad - because you already own the rifles (no taxes) - I reckon you could get 2-3 into the country for less than a grand. As far as hunting opportunities by state goes - NSW has more ready opportunities than QLD because of the public land deal there but given time and finding some access to private property QLD is a pretty cool place to hunt with lots of different game and options. There are some pretty good huting clubs up there as well, especially on the coast. A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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Brad, I think the other posters have got the topic pretty much covered but I'll add my 2c. I'd rethink the initial need for the Rigby. The 9.3 will handle our bigger game with good bullets and bullet placement. I'd include something along the lines of a 270, one of the 7mm's or a 30cal. These are far better suited to our usual game species pig, goat and deer etc. It's a similar situation to the US in reality. | |||
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Fixed it for you Matt. Definitely NOT required in all Aust states. Also the requirement to join a shooting club is also NOT required in all Aust states, unlike NSW. Even given such questionable statements such as this:
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Are you sure about that John?? Can you order a firearm from the USA and have it delivered to your door and not have a dealer involved??  Also the bit about requiring to join a club in NSW is incorrect, as far as I am aware it is not a requirement in ANY state and certainly not in NSW. You can get a rec. hunting firearm licence there with an access letter from a property owner. I didnt raise any point about needing to join a club did I?? I am willing to stand by my assessment that NT and NSW are easiest at the moment to get a firearm licence and to add extra firearms. I deal with 4 of the different states licencing offices and I have a pretty good grasp of how it is at the moment. But this is only my opinion... others may have different ideas that some other states may be easier??? Who knows?? NSW is not questioning any PTA applications at the moment (or ever) and lots of people are getting C and D class licences there under commercial 'permits'. A friend of mine bought an AR-15 the other day!!! NSW is pretty good at the moment!! NT - yeah well you know they are very generous!! A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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Again thanks everyone for the help. I think that the answer I am looking for is yes its possible to get a few hunting rifles into the country. It seems like in the states where you move makes all the difference in Oregon I can own a Short barreled rifle (AR15), silencer, and as many high cap mags as I can afford. However 300 miles south in California I'm in a whole different ball game. As far as hunting calibers I agree that a 7mm makes more sense than a 416 Rigby however, I'd still like to someday hunt africa. My 416 Rigby is such a great shooting rifle. The three rifles that Jump out at me at present would be my 9.3, (416 or 7mm mag) and my 22 Mag bolt. Not sure what the reg's are regarding rimfires? I just really like 22 mag. All in all I think that based on everyones input "It's Possible to make it Work!" Thanks again and I'll keep you posted with how things unfold. As a follow up I spent the morning surfing the NSW firearms section and I know have a much better idea of how things work. I agree that it might be best to get things setup in Australia first (ie find a good gun shop for the paperwork, get a firearms storage safe, find a gun club to register with and apply for a permit...then get the rifles sent over) Also tell me more about magazines, scopes and other firearm accessories. Do you need a license to bring a scope into the country? what about reloading dies, a press ect. Not sure if everything is controlled or just the weapons. From what I can see it seems like you need permission for everything? Thanks & Cheers Brad | |||
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Mate - going by the NSW rules - you do NOT need to join a 'gun club' to get a licence Vor recreational hunting. You are better o joining a hunting club so you can get your rec licence for hunting and also get the hunting contacts that come with the club. There is an internet based hunting club around that I am involved with - membership of that club becomes your 'genuine reason' in some states and with that membership you can also get your R-licence so you can hunt on public land in NSW. Once you have your licence then you can also get your Vic game licence - giving you two whole states of public land to access at no cost (aside fromn the small annual fee). The best thing with the online club is that you dont have to make physical attendences to keep your firearm licence in NSW. Import/purchase - there are no restrictions on scopes and reloading gear. Just powder, ammo, firearm parts, projectiles. Probably not worth importing reloading gear and components yourself unless it is specialised stuff. Not sure if you need a licence to buy porjectiles over the counter but definitiely for powder. We have excellent powder made right here in Australia and access to lots of projectiles and reloading gear. A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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If you're the holder of a R licence in NSW you are also exempted of the requirement of club attendences | |||
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Yep, it's certainly possible. But not by bringing them in as luggage on initial arrival, basically. That can be done on a visitor firearm licence, or a local resident or dealer licence, only. Far smoother to to get the licensing and storage sorted out first [as the time this takes is variable], then bring the guns in. You may want to get an idea of costs from a US exporter - gunbroker.com 'Help' section lists some, or this mob seem to know their stuff: http://hurricanebutterflyresea...com/logistics/export The Oz situation is that firearm licensing and registration is controlled by the States here, and import/export by the Commonwealth [=Feds], similar to the US. The import permit for ammo/components, firearms and major parts [known as a Customs Form B709A] is a Commonwealth form, that is issued by a State firearms licensing authority. Magazines are included as a 'major part', in effect [along with barrels, actions, receivers, complete triggers]. No import restrictions on reloading tools, scopes, mounts etc., or on most minor parts. The point is that a B709A can only be issued [in advance of arrival of goods] to a holder of a valid Oz firearm licence [shooter, dealer or visitor]. Even Visitor licences have to be issued in advance of arrival - you can't get one when you arrive. If you have personal effects shipped here by sea freight, the shipping delay may give you enough time to get some paperwork sorted before they arrive. Such as arranging for a dealer to take out the B709A, pick up from Customs, and store them, until you're licensed. But if it doesn't, you risk having the guns destroyed by Customs, because they will only hold them for a short time. By the way, any items that are internationally classified as 'Dangerous Goods' [e.g. live ammo, primers and powder - all DG Class 1] will not be accepted for sea freight as personal effects. Brass and projectiles will need to be listed in detail on the same import permit as firearms, too. And we have nationwide registration of firearms here. In most States/Territories, only a licensed dealer may take possession of an unregistered firearm [e.g. pick up from Customs]. SA is different, in that they have a 14 day grace period to arrange registration. NSW, Vic and Qld don't have this provision. It might be worth your while to join up over at the www.australianhunting.net forums. Good bunch there, with some folk with direct experience of these matters. One recent example was of a Kiwi who brought guns over as luggage, but didn't hold an Oz licence. As it was luggage, that made the Kiwi the importer, so it wasn't possible for the dealer to get an import permit after the fact. Cheers, Doug | |||
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So you can use the R-licence as genuine reason for a firearm licence?? A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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The only thing I can see in what you have written (all good stuff!!) is that an O/S visitors licence wont be available in this instance anyhow, as you need to have an outgoing flight listed as well as incoming... as they issue the Visitors licence for the range of dates only. That is basically why he cant bring it as accompanied baggage and get away with it!! Interesting what you wrote about the Kiwi guy. Customs arent dumb (OK...well..) and if they realise you are cutting corners they will send you and your accompanied firearms HOME!!! A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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Brad why not just make it simple and stop off in NZ. We don't have that crap state system with their multitude of different rules and regs.  everything is standard across the country and firearm import, ownership and use is probably the easiest in the World. Simple to get free permits to hunt the vast tracts of public wilderness or park land throughout the country. Just don't bring military style semi autos or any pistols. These can be obtained and used here for competition after you qualify for the endorsement on your standard firearms licence. All other sporting semis, pumps and levers are freely allowed and used.I know you want to go to Oz but must give you the benefit of choice.  | |||
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I'm going to answer for him.... because Australia has JOBS!!!!  "...hunt the vast tracts of public wilderness... " - I guess they are vast ... compared to Iceland!!!A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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Thanks everyone for all the help. I did sign up for the Hunting forum thanks. Here's the great news both Australia and NZ have Jobs However, the Australian jobs just plain pay better. I really like both countries a lot so in my book where ever I land I think it will be good. | |||
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His arguments are best directed at his fellow NZers since 25% of them have moved to Australia already and we don't want any more to boot | |||
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Brad general breakdown is this. Aus demographics are despite the outback reputation most of the population lives in the cities, so they outvote the rural types easy. Hence our fucked gun laws situation and all the the other safety laws you will learn about soon enough. US's strength is its state indviduality and ability for rural states to outvote city states by comparison. Most things are a lot more expensive in Aus than the US too. I learnt this visiting your walmarts when a bag of normal groceries like say some washing powder, couple tins mens deodarant and 6 cans of soda came to example 10-12 bucks when I got to the checkout, and I had 30 bucks ready going off Aus prices. The reasons for this is our businesses fuck us pretty hard. People blame smaller markets, tarriffs and customs laws and tax etc etc which is part of the problem but at the end of the day, with our dollar as powerful as the US, and still prices rising means its comes down to another major reason- a carnival atmosphere with our businesses jacking up prices while the party lasts. Aussies are too isolated in general or lazy to realise it of course. On the news we hear about '12% food inflation' for example each year(which is only supposed to happen in war zones or small countries after food disasters etc) and it barely registers. As an MD you won't have as much problem with living expenses of course. Advantages, banks and stocks smaller but stronger than the US, barely budged during the big crash, only thanks to China, may they live for a thousand years and buy all our forests and minerals And back to why we are here on the forums, more game than you have ever seen to hunt. No limits, few seasons, rarely a need for guides, just permission to enter the land itself and mostly shoot things until your barrel melts and leave all the bodies to rot  You can clock up more kills and bullet testing experience etc than all your favourite gunwriters in about the first year if you want. | |||
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One of the biggest factors is wages - which for the average joe blow are heaps higher than in the US. And talking about business jacking up prices, interesting when the exchange rate was 0.6 - 0.7, I didn't see Aust Safari operators drop their prices just because the exchange rate was greatly in their favour. It works both ways Karl. . | |||
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Yep, there are plenty of good medico jobs going here now. The best GP jobs tend to be in inland non-metropolitan areas, which would likely suit you well, as a hunter. But they are often very demanding, as far as on call roster goes. Just don't be tempted by the bonus offers for very remote locations, as a first position. Not for those without 'local cultural awareness', if then. Have a good look via Google, for the demographics of the regional towns. The village/town/city scale is very different from North America. Cheers, Doug | |||
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Again thank you everyone for being so helpful. I was finally able to get on the Australian hunting forum Wow... Its seems that things are a little flip flopped here. Last night I walked into Sportsmans Wholesale to pick up some scope covers and plastic ammo boxes. There on the shelf were assualt rifles, handguns galore, semi-auto shotguns, powder, primers... After hearing your stories I felt blessed that I could have taken anything home last night with a few hunder dollars or so. However, thats the good news. This year I will be driving 350 miles to where I deer hunt and may walk for 4 days and see nothing to shoot. If your a gun collector pack your bags and move here now you can buy just about anything gun wise and plenty of cheap beer to boot. However, if you like to blast away at game animals good luck since thats where our greenies have really put the brakes on our ability to hunt. They are hitting us in the back door by limiting our hunting rights (no place to shoot, no animals to shoot at, and endangered species...) In few years they'll start telling us why do you need guns since you can't hunt anything anymore go figure. Each country has its own pluses and minuses ie. the grass is always greener somewhere else. On another note I am trained psychiatrist and aerospace medicine specialist. They are currently recruiting me to provide mental health services in a shortage area and at this point it looks like Queensland is my best shot. I haven't done General Practice in years and therefore I think I'd be a little rusty. All in all I am still excited to try something new and different. My family loves warm weather and warm ocean water and I'd like to live within driving distance to the ocean since I also scuba dive (not here in Oregon since its too Bloody cold and there are plenty of sharks)... Thanks again everyone. Brad | |||
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Brad The Queensland is going to be perfect for you. Plenty of mental types in need of Psychiatric services for you to work on Scuba diving second to none in the world (about the only thing they lack are a few more ship wrecks). Weather - Perfect for what you like. Hunting - not quite as easy as Vic or NSW but still plenty of it. . | |||
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Do you mean the last time it was 0.6/0.7?? You mean back in late 2008/early 2009? There are some simple reasons we didnt drop our US$ prices. firstly the drop in the AUD back then only lasted a couple of months - it rapidly came back up, so dropping prices would have been absolutely pointless. Secondly, most of the prices from earlier in that decade had not risen substantially - so it was the operators who had been bearing the brunt of the price discrepancy and try to make up for it when the dollar is lower. Also - we have to plan, budget and price... up to THREE YEARS out... how could we suddenly drop prices on a currency whim... especially one that was bought on by a global financial catastrophy - one that might have long lasting effects on sales?? Lastly - it is not like our costs suddenly dropped correspondingly... it is not like we are an importer, buying product at a suddenly reduced rate and then expected to pass the cost savings onto the AU consumer. A safari outfitter is an exporter, buying most of their inputs in AUD and exporting them in US$!! You have to understand how the industry works to make critical comment Nigel!! A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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Cheap US 'beer' ...ummmmm. no thanks!!!! In QLD the beer will cost you twice as much as Coors but at least it will be drinkable!!!That forum AHN host the hunting club I was talking about. AHNi. Membership of AHNi would be very worthwhile for you I would think.... A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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Karl, that was a brutal but honest post, I share your thoughts. Brad, as Karl said there are few limits on hunting here eg. I live 1 1/2 hrs from excellent deer hunting with a nine month season with no limit on two species (red and fallow) and an open season no limit on sambar. Both Queensland and Victoria have even less restrictions. | |||
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Dear Brad Please find attached link. http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4369.asp#e1057 E-mail: information@customs.gov.au If you need any thing else let me know. Can sort you out for hunting areas as well. Expect to pay twice what you do in the USA for every thing. When it comes to hunting. Send me an email if you like. mark.mclean@rocketmail.com Regards Mark | |||
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Yes of course Matt. Having imported firearms without the need of a gun dealer.
Need neither a club membership, nor a hunting permit in SA. Nor is a "letter from a land owner needed. A valid reason to own a firearm is shooting / plinking at tin cans for recreation. Nor is a hunting permit ever needed to be produced. One simply states the firearm will be used for hunting as a purpose.
Yes for Overseas Visitors Permits. But we aren't talking about them here. All of the states except for WA are not really a problem. Never had any problem getting anything not including the obvious banned ones of course. | |||
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Imported goods, yes. Gov't fees, yes. Actual hunting can be had for nothing or next to nothing compared to very high costs in the US very often. | |||
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500N, unfortunately not many of the industrial giants( food, transport, resource, wholesale etc)give a shit what Joe Bloggs Safari's sole propiertor does. And they are 90% of your ever increasing daily cost of living. I will agree QLD has the most nutters though for sure Good choice of state Brad. Probably the most volume/cull hunting available of all, especially top half of the state including Cape York.Picture an area the size of Texas but without the 20 million people. Karl. | |||
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Gidday Karl, The fact that 25% are living in Oz is of great benefit to both countries in that it lifts the average intelligence of both countries.  Happy Hunting Hamish | |||
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The original version of that joke is better. But you probably don't have the guts to tell it | |||
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