Customs Point-in-Time Service Updates

The Customs Point-in-Time Service has been updated to include the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026 (Cth) (Act No 1 of 2026).

Act 1 of 2026

This Act forms a comprehensive package of reforms which aim to:

• prohibit the importation of violent extremist material and goods depicting prohibited symbols;
• establish a national gun buyback scheme for surplus and newly restricted firearms;
• create a framework to ensure that Commonwealth intelligence agencies can inform state and territory firearms licensing decisions;
• strengthen border controls on firearms and firearm-related goods importation; and
• criminalise using carriage services to deal with firearms and explosives manufacture material.

Schedule 1 to the Act expands customs controls on violent extremist material and prohibited symbols. These changes strengthen the ability of the Australian Border Force to prevent extremist material entering and leaving Australia, and reinforce Australia’s commitment to combatting violent extremism and hate-based ideologies. 

Schedule 2 to the Act establishes a national gun buy-back scheme consistent with the 1996 approach, with the Commonwealth reimbursing states and territories for implementation costs. Schedule 3 to the Act authorises the relevant Minister to make rules prescribing transitional matters relating to the amendments or repeals made by the Act.

These amendments have been updated in the Point-in-Time Customs Service current to 27 January 2026 (NB: subscription required).

If you are not already a subscriber to this or other Point-in-Time Services then please contact us to find out more or to take a free trial.