Regional firearms owners will save thousands of hours of unnecessary travel under a new system beginning this week that will let them pay for their licences online or by phone rather than having to physically attend a bank.
More than 55,000 registered firearms owners will now be able to pay for the licences anywhere and anytime using BPAY as part of a Victoria Police push to cut red tape and deliver a more efficient service.
Previously, they had no option but to pay in cash or cheque at a designated bank.
The new service will make a huge difference to farmers and licence holders living in rural and regional Victoria who don’t have easy access to a bank and previously had to travel large distances to pay their licence fees.
Most firearms licences need to be renewed every three or five years, with renewal reminder notices sent out ten weeks before a licence expires.
Victorians can still pay in person using the payment form if they prefer.
Licence holders can also pay for a new firearm licence using BPAY once their licence application has been approved.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Wade Noonan
“Farmers in regional and rural Victoria often don’t have the luxury of just popping down to the bank to pay their bills or renew their firearm licence – so this new payment option will save time and money in unnecessary travel.’’
“More than 55,000 firearm licence holders each year will benefit from a more efficient payment option from today.’’
Reviewed 10 February 2021