New South Wales, Australia, is preparing to launch a gun buyback program later this year as part of plans to reduce gun violence following the Bondi Beach mass shooting last year that claimed 15 lives.
On 15 Aug 2026, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, will begin the gun buyback program on 2 Nov to advance reform measures he previously pledged after the Bondi Beach shooting last year.
In the incident on 14 Dec 2025, 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his son Navid opened fire at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring many others. Sajid was shot dead by police, while his son remains in custody facing murder charges.
Following the event, New South Wales authorities pledged comprehensive reforms on gun control, including initiating a gun buyback program.
Albanese stated that the buyback program will offer cash compensation for eligible handguns, shotguns, and rifles, emphasizing, “We must do everything to ensure that the anti-Jewish terrorist attack at Bondi never happens again... This includes serious nationwide gun reform.”
New South Wales has enacted a law limiting individuals to possessing no more than four firearms, with some exceptions for farmers.
The buyback program will allow owners with firearms exceeding the legal limit to surrender them in exchange for up to AUD 1,000 compensation depending on the firearm type. The federal and local governments will share the program's costs.
New South Wales Governor Chris Minns expects hundreds of thousands of firearms to be surrendered. “We want those guns handed in, properly compensated, and safely destroyed.”
“This is a large-scale mission, but the principle is simple: fewer dangerous guns in our communities means a safer New South Wales.”
Originally, Australia announced a nationwide buyback program to be implemented across all states and territories, but the plan stalled due to disagreements over funding responsibilities and implementation methods.
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Source:cna