ABOUT US

A: The SSAA Sydney Branch Pistol Club (or SBPC for short) is a Pistol Club based in Sydney, Australia, aiming to help shooters get involved and progress in the sport of Target Pistol Shooting. We are owned entirely by SSAA Sydney Branch Inc. We were founded in 2024 and officially launched in 2025, and are proud to be home to an ever-increasing population of passionate and like-minded pistol shooters.

A: To help with budgeting and accessibility, we offer three different membership and access tiers:

• Bronze: $100/yr – Access 1 Range
• Silver: $250/yr – Access 3 Ranges
• Gold: $350/yr – Access all Ranges

Every shoot is a competition shoot. Show up and shoot to not only meet your attendance requirements, but also compete against yourself and your fellow club mates!

NOTE: You may still shoot in your own time at non-selected ranges, but you may have to pay a non-member range fee, and we will not count those shoots towards your yearly attendances.

You may increase your membership tier at any time by paying the difference in fees (i.e upgrading from Bronze -> Silver = $150; Silver -> Gold = $100).

You may downgrade your membership tier at any time – your new tier will reflect upon renewal. No refunds will be given.

Please also note, there is a New Member Fee of $200 – a one-off additional payment when first joining the Club. This is paid in addition to your selected tier.

Training Courses are offered through the Club at a cost of $400. This includes the two-day Safe Handling Course and all firearm and ammunition hire throughout the course of your training. Range Fees for attending Lv.1 or Lv.2 Training shoots are not included.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

A: To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all shooters, as well as maintaining membership and a legal Firearms Licence, we ask that all members follow basic protocols.

1. Adhere to Firearm Safety Laws and Range Standing Orders at all times
2. Respect fellow shooters, range staff, and range property
3. Attend at least one shoot every two months (min. 6 in a 12-month period – does not include Own Time shoots)

A: When purchasing any firearm, you must submit a Permit to Acquire through the NSW Gun Safe Portal.

1. Go to the Gun Safe Portal and login with your Service NSW account
2. Click ‘Permit to Acquire Application’
3. Follow the instructions and pay the $30 fee
   1. Our Club Approval Number is 413153128
4. Once you receive the PTA Application number (looks like A-2025XXXX-12345678 where XXXX is the date you applied), notify the Club with your:
   1. PTA Application number
   2. Firearms licence number and type (Cat H or PPL)
   3. Full name and Member number

Be aware that you MUST have adequate safe storage (which has been inspected by Police if it is not stored at an approved facility) and the appropriate Firearms Licence or Permit. You may rent storage at St Marys Indoor Shooting Centre (30 Power St, St Marys).

Probationary Pistol Licences holders are limited to a maximum of 2 firearms of either Rimfire or Centrefire calibre/s. You may not purchase more than 2, or a mix of calibre types.

NOTE FOR PPL HOLDERS: By law, you must be in the 2nd 6 months of your PPL AND have completed Graduation. The Club will refuse your PTA Application if you have not yet completed Graduation.

A: The SBPC is approved to shoot at multiple ranges across Sydney, including:

• St Marys Indoor Shooting Centre
• Silverdale Rifle Range
• Anzac Rifle Range
• Hornsby Rifle Range
• Sydney International Shooting Centre
• Auburn Rifle Range
• …more soon!

Club access is based on Range opening hours. Click here for more information on all of our current ranges.

We are always working to get our members access to as many ranges as possible as often as possible, giving you every opportunity to shoot at your convenience.

We also host dozens of Club-organised Events every month, so you can meet other passionate members, compete in friendly matches, get advice, and make friends for life! Check the Calendars tab for information on where these matches are, and our Match Guide for rules and patterns.

A: Getting started is a simple, although time-consuming process. The average time to get your full Category H Licence is about 14 months. Don’t run away, though – you’ll be shooting from as soon as day 2 of your Safe Handling Course! Here is the full process:

1. Sign up to join Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Sydney Branch) and join the Sydney Branch Pistol Club
2. Book into a 2-day Pistol Safe Handling Course
3. Apply for your Probationary Pistol Licence (PPL)
4. Attend min. 3 Lv.1 shoots (you can attend before receiving your PPL)
5. Attend min. 3 Lv.2 shoots (you must have your PPL to attend Lv.2)
6. Attend Graduation and complete your final assessment
7. After holding your PPL for 12 months, apply for your Category H Licence

A: Pistol shooting is easy to learn but hard to master. People get started in pistol shooting for a variety of reasons, be it to learn the sport, practice self-discipline, to enjoy a hobby with mates, or just because they like guns! Don’t get disheartened if you’re not very good at first – shooting isn’t as easy as movies and video games make it seem. With time, practice and dedication, you’ll become a sharpshooter in no time.

We offer additional training and coaching sessions for shooters wishing to improve their skills (coming soon!). You can always ask Range Officers for guidance when you’re out on the range, too!

A: Yes! Because of the strict rules, disciplines and training regiments employed on ranges and by our Instructors, shooting is one of the safest sports around. Kids as young as 12 can get involved in the sport on a Minor’s Permit, until the age of 18. At that point, they will need to upgrade to a full Category H licence (which is as simple as renewing their licence online).

Naturally, there are some restrictions that children have on a Minor’s Permit. For example, minors cannot purchase their own firearms until they move up to a Category H licence. They will also always need to be supervised, and cannot shoot by themselves without a licenced adult present.

For more information on a Minor’s Permit, click here.

A: Your member profile, scores and attendances are recorded by SquadSpot, our membership management system.

Member profiles and a leaderboard are coming soon; for now, we recommend you keep a personal log of your attendances, and hold on to your receipts from when you attend the range.

A: Head to the Firearms Registry website for further information on NSW firearms laws. We highly recommend new shooters read through as many of these FACT Sheets as possible to remain compliant and legal.