Deal agreed on post-Bondi attack gun buyback scheme

On December 14, 2025, a mass shooting at Bondi Beach claimed the lives of 15 individuals, sparking calls for stricter gun regulations. In response, the federal government has reached an agreement with the New South Wales government to launch a national gun buyback scheme starting November 2. This will be the largest such scheme since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The NSW government estimates that up to 247,000 registered firearms owned by around 50,000 licence holders could be affected by the buyback.

The buyback scheme aims to reduce the number of firearms in the community and enhance public safety. NSW has already enacted new gun laws following the Bondi attack, including stricter background checks, shortened licence periods, and a cap on the number of firearms allowed per person. The buyback will compensate gun owners for their legally owned firearms, with compensation ranging from $450 for air rifles to $1000 for revolvers and centrefire rifles.

The federal and NSW governments plan to split the administration costs, with the federal government fully funding the destruction of surrendered firearms.

Phase one of the scheme will begin on November 2, offering compensation for eligible firearms based on a fixed price schedule. A second phase will commence in early 2027 for higher-value firearms, with compensation capped at $10,000 per firearm. The scheme has faced criticism, with some arguing that it unfairly targets law-abiding gun owners and questions the sufficiency of current laws.

Opposition parties and shooting groups have raised concerns about the scheme's fairness, potential impact on small businesses, and concerns about compensation for specific firearms.