1. Apply For Membership to OPC
- Complete the membership form, OPC Membership Application Form
- Include a passport style/sized photo image,
- Two written references from adults that have known you for a minimum of 12 months, and,
- A copy of your Finger Printing/Police Check Certificate
All applications are to be sent in electronic PDF format to: secretary@oakleighpistolclub.org.au
Applications for membership are reviewed at each committee meeting (1st Monday of each month).
If your application is accepted then you will be required to pay the joining fee which covers the admin cost of processing your new membership.
As a new member, you can keep shooting using NORI forms (up to a total of 13 times) until your provisional licence is issued.
FINGER PRINTING
You will need to arrange for the Victoria Police to take your fingerprints, incorporating a National Police Records Check, as part of this process.
Victoria Police have made changes to the manner in which applicants to join a pistol club are to be fingerprinted.
You must now make an appointment to have your fingerprints taken and a police background check conducted.
To make an appointment, ring Victoria Police on 1300 881 596 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Note that the cost for this service is currently in the order of $190.00
There is only one Metropolitan location that delivers this service, the address is:
Victoria Police Customer Service Centre
Lower Concourse Level, World Trade Centre
637 Flinders Street
DOCKLANDS Vic 3008
The entrance is via Siddeley Street.
Several Country locations are listed on the Victoria Police Web-Site.
Details of this process can be found here: Fingerprinting for Licence Applications
You can download a membership form here: OPC Membership Application Form
2. Complete a Membership Interview
You will need to attend a Membership Interview before completing the Handgun Safety Awareness Course.
Dates for the membership interviews are available from our Calendar.
There is no cost for the interview.
More details can be found here: Membership Interview
3. Complete the Introduction to Handguns Course
Your first step is to book in for the Introduction to Handguns course.
This course is run at least twice per year and covers basic handgun safety, range safety, shooting fundamentals and an introduction to our club.
The course is free of charge and includes range entry and ammunition.
More details can be found here: Introduction to Handguns course
4. Apply for a Provisional Handgun Licence
Once we have accepted your membership of the OPC, you can apply for your Provisional Handgun Licence.
This licence will allow you to shoot and participate in competitions using club handguns and without having to complete NORI paperwork.
The minimum probationary licence duration is at least 6 months and during this time you must participate in at least 5 competitions with our club.
Note that it takes at least 1 month for the police to process your provisional licence and while you are waiting for it to arrive you can continue to shoot with us using a NORI form.
Please note that you cannot purchase a handgun while on a provisional licence and you will be under the supervision of another club member/RO while shooting on the range with any firearm.
You can find the electronic application form here: Provisional Handgun Licence Application Form
5. Complete Supervised Participations (Shoots)
After you have completed the intro course, you will be able to come down to the range and participate in supervised (NORI) shoots along with our other members.
NORI stands for Notice Of Receiving Instruction and this form is completed by you and your instructor, and then forwarded to Victoria Police by yourself.
You need to do this at least 5 times, on separate days, and each time you participate in a supervised shoot you will be required to complete a NORI form, until you have received your probationary license.
You should be able to complete a competency each time you shoot and have the Range Officer test you and sign off if the competency is achieved.
Should you be deemed not yet competent, then more study is required and re testing of the competency on another attendance will be required.
You will also need to get the Range Officer to record your participation in the back of you Introduction to Handguns booklet as received on the Introduction to Handguns course.
The more NORI shoots you complete before progressing to the Handgun Safety Awareness Course means you will gain more experience and proficiency in handling firearms.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
- Completion of these books are vital to documenting your progress as a new shooter and forms part of your membership acceptance requirements!
Supervised shoots are done during the clubs opening hours on Wednesday nights and Saturdays.
You can download a copy of the NORI form here: Notification of Receiving Instruction Form and we recommend you pre complete all your details to save time on the range.
You will also need to complete a minimum of 5 supervised matches BEFORE the club will consider “endorsing” your application for a Full General Category Handgun Licence.
6. Keep participating in Competitions!
Now that you have your Provisional Handgun Licence you can participate in almost all of the competitions and shoots which are held by the OPC.
You can compete in most competitions held at OPC and please view the competition calendar to confirm which dates, days and times suit you.
Some shooting disciplines / competitions require you to have a holster qualification for regular participation and this can be obtained once you have a full licence and are more experienced.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- You MUST ensure you complete the training program WELL BEFORE the expiry of your Provisional Handgun Licence!
- As a Provisional Handgun Licence CANNOT be renewed, you only get ONE opportunity by Victoria Police to use the Provisional Licence program
- Processing for a Provisional Licence to a Full Licence can take anywhere from 28 days upward so be on time and be diligent with submitting your paperwork!
7. Apply for a Full Handgun Licence
After holding a Provisional Handgun Licence for at least 6 months and having participated in at least 5 competitions you can apply for a full General Category Handgun (Cat H) Licence.
Victoria Police LRD will send you a Notice of Expiry on your Provisional Licence with enough time to submit your full Cat H application.
Your full licence application needs to be submitted to, approved and endorsed by, the OPC committee at the monthly committee meeting (same as your initial OPC membership).
Once approved, the club will sign off on the application to LRD for your full licensce.
After you receive your full Cat H Licence (plastic card) you can complete the process in purchasing your own handgun.
You can find the electronic application form here: General Category Handgun Licence Application Form