Carriage or discharge of firearms on aircraft

Several legal frameworks relate to firearms on aircraft in Australia. This page deals with the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR).

Regulation of firearms

Part 91 of CASR General operating and flight rules

Part 91 of CASR includes rules for the carriage and discharge of firearms.

Regulation 91.160 states that a person can't carry a firearm on an aircraft without authorisation.

A person may gain authority to carry a firearm onboard from the operator of the aircraft or the pilot in command.

Regulation 91.165 states that a person can't discharge a firearm on an aircraft without authorisation.

A person may gain authority to carry or discharge a firearm through

• Part 138 of CASR
• Division 3 of Part 4 of the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004
• section 23 of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991

We give advice about the Part 91 firearms on aircraft rules in the Part 91 Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material. See GM 91.160 and GM 91.165.

Part 138 of CASR Aerial work operations

Part 138 of CASR includes special rules for the carriage and discharge of firearms during aerial work operations.

Regulation 138.432 requires that operators must meet the standards outlined in the Part 138 Manual of Standards (MOS). See ‘Division 3 Firearms and aerial work operation’ of the Part 138 MOS (sections 17.03 through 17.08 inclusive).

The provisions in Part 91 of CASR do not apply if operators meet the Part 138 MOS.

We give advice about the use of firearms during aerial work operation in the Part 138 Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (AMC/GM). See AMC 138.432 and GM 138.432.

Carriage of ammunition

Carrying a firearm is separate to carrying ammunition on an aircraft. Ammunition is a dangerous good and the relevant regulations are in Part 92 of CASR Consignment and carriage of dangerous goods by air.

Find more information about dangerous goods and air freight and hazard labels for Class 1 Explosives including ammunition.

We also mention carriage and storage of ammunition in the Part 138 Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (AMC/GM). See AMC 138.432 and GM 138.432.