Australia to launch major gun buyback program after deadly Bondi Beach attack

Australia is preparing to launch its most extensive gun buyback program in decades, commencing in November 2026, following a deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach in December 2025. The attack, perpetrated by two gunmen during a Hanukkah celebration, resulted in 15 fatalities. In response, New South Wales (NSW), the nation's most populous state, will initiate the scheme, which is expected to affect up to 274,000 firearms and approximately 50,000 license holders.

The comprehensive program, jointly funded by the federal and NSW governments, will unfold in two phases. Phase one, beginning on November 2, 2026, will offer fixed compensation for eligible handguns, shotguns, and rifles. A second phase, scheduled for early 2027, will provide compensation for higher-value firearms, with some potentially receiving up to A$10,000.

This buyback aligns with new NSW gun laws that restrict individual gun ownership to four firearms, with some exceptions, and reclassify certain weapons to ban those allowing multiple shots without reloading. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed the need for nationwide reform, the federal plan for a national buyback has faced resistance, with some states declining or yet to commit fully, though Western Australia completed a separate buyback earlier in 2026 and is open to federal participation.