Archive · 22 Aug 2026
ACT Joins Australia’s Gun Buyback After Bondi Beach Attack
Australia is creating a program to buy guns from people who voluntarily hand them in.
The Australian Capital Territory, where Canberra is located, said it will join the program.
New South Wales was the first state or territory to agree to take part.
The plan followed a shooting at a Jewish festival near Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Fifteen people were killed in that attack.
Police accuse a father and son of carrying it out and say they were inspired by Islamic State.
One suspect survived and has not yet pleaded to the charges.
The government says taking guns off the streets could help prevent another antisemitic terrorist attack.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian Capital Territory will join Australia’s national gun-buyback scheme.
The federal government introduced the program and tighter firearm-licensing checks after 15 people were killed at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach.
The ACT has about 23,000 firearms and more than 7,000 firearms licence holders, but its buyback start date was not announced.
New South Wales was the first state or territory to commit, with its program scheduled to begin on November 2.
The suspected Bondi attackers allegedly used legally obtained firearms; the surviving suspect faces 15 murder charges and has not entered pleas.
- Who
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Australian Capital Territory government, the federal government, and Australian firearms owners are involved; police accuse a father and son of the Bondi Beach attack.
- What
- The Australian Capital Territory agreed to join a national gun-buyback scheme and broader firearm-safety measures.
- When
- The ACT announcement was made on a Saturday; New South Wales’ buyback is scheduled to begin on November 2, while the ACT’s start date was not announced. The attack was reported as occurring on December 14, 2025.
- Where
- The commitment concerns the Australian Capital Territory, including Canberra, and follows an attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, New South Wales.
- Why
- The federal government says the measures are intended to remove guns from the streets and help prevent another antisemitic terrorist attack.
- ACT firearms
- About 23,000 firearms and more than 7,000 firearms licence holders.
- ACT funding agreement
- The federal government will fund 75% of buyback and administrative costs and 100% of firearm destruction costs.
- First participant
- New South Wales was the first Australian state or territory to commit to the scheme.
- New South Wales launch
- The first phase is scheduled to begin on November 2.
- New South Wales payments
- Up to A$1,000 for guns in phase one and up to A$10,000 for higher-value firearms in phase two, planned from early 2027.
- Bondi Beach death toll
- Fifteen people were killed at a Jewish festival or Hanukkah celebration.
- Australian firearms
- Australia had a reported record 4.1 million firearms last year.
- Historical comparison
- The buyback is described as Australia’s largest since the campaign after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which 35 people were killed.
