Chief Commissioner Approvals to possess prohibited weapons

You need Chief Commissioner Approval (CCP Approval) to possess a prohibited weapon, unless a Governor in Council Exemption Order applies to you.

Here's how to prepare and submit an application for a CCP Approval in Victoria, as well as information about fees and processing timings.

About CCP Approvals

In Victoria, a CCP Approval to possess prohibited weapons is granted by the Chief Commissioner of Police. It allows people or organisations to possess prohibited weapons that would otherwise be illegal under the Control of Weapons Act 1990.

You may be granted a CCP Approval to:

manufacture, sell or purchase prohibited weapons and body armour
display or advertise prohibited weapons and body armour for sale.
possess, use, carry or transport prohibited weapons and body armour.

Without this specific approval, and where a Governor in Council Exemption does not apply to you, possessing these items is a serious offence.

If you do not hold a CCP approval, or are not covered as a class of persons under a Governor in Council Exemption Order, possessing these items is a serious offence.

Governor in Council Exemption Orders

Some classes of persons may be allowed (exempted) to possess, purchase or sell, use or manufacture or carry certain prohibited weapons.

To determine if an exemption applies to your circumstances, visit our Governor in Council Exemption Orders page.

CCP Approval duration, conditions and eligibility

Successful CCP Approval applications can be granted for a maximum of three years.

All CCP Approvals are subject to conditions. The Chief Commissioner may impose additional conditions or limitations that are considered appropriate.

The Chief Commissioner may not grant an approval to some individuals, including any person who is a prohibited person in accordance with the Firearms Act 1996.

How to apply for CCP Approval

Individuals or organisations may apply for a CCP Approval in order to engage in activities with prohibited weapons.

Take a look at the following steps to prepare and submit your application.

Step 1: Review application information requirements

Select the relevant option to review the information you will be required to provide in your application:

Individual applications for a CCP Approval, or variation to an existing CCP Approval, will require the following information:
- Contact details
- Proof of identity
- Medical history (Note: your treating health professional must provide a medical report that outlines their familiarity with any condition/s that may impact your suitability to possess prohibited weapons.)
- Previous history
- Confirmation of any previous CCP Approval applications
- Declaration that you can comply with safe storage requirements
- Documentation to support your reasons for seeking a CCP Approval
If you are under 18 years old, written consent to apply for a CCP Approval must be provided by a parent or guardian.
Business or body corporate applications for CCP Approval, or variation to an existing CCP Approval, will require the following information:
- Business details (e.g. ABN, ACN)
- Contact details
- Details of any nominated or responsible persons who will be accountable for the storage and day to day management of all prohibited weapons under this approval
- Personal Information Forms for each nominated or responsible person
- Declaration that you can satisfy storage requirements
- Reasons for applying for the approval, including documentation proving the applicant's need for involvement with a prohibited weapon or body armour

Step 2: Complete application and information forms

Download and complete the relevant application and information form/s:

Application category	Required forms
Individual CCP Approvals	Individual Application for Chief Commissioner Prohibited Weapons Approval PDF 2.17 MB (opens in a new window)
Business or body corporate client CCP Approvals	Please download and complete both forms: Business Application for Chief Commissioner Prohibited Weapons Approval PDF 566.2 KB (opens in a new window) Business Personal Information Form for Chief Commissioner Prohibited Weapons Approval PDF 472.32 KB (opens in a new window)

2. Print your completed form/s.

3. Find an acceptable referee to certify* a copy of your identification documents (refer to the application form for a list).

The acceptable referee must:

have known you for at least 12 months, and
is not related to you by either birth or marriage.

*If you hold a current Victorian Firearm or Private Security licence or a Chief Commissioner’s Prohibited Weapons Approval, then you do not have to provide certified identification.

4. Sign and date the application form in front of that same acceptable referee.

5. Have the same acceptable referee sight and sign and date the front of each copy of your proof of identity documents (worth 100 ID points), at the same time they are certifying the copy.

Example of a secondary identification document that has been certified

6. Have the same acceptable referee sign your application form.

Step 3: Submit application paperwork

1. Attach copies of the certified identification documents to your application form.

2. Submit your completed application to our Licensing & Regulation Division (LRD) via:

Email (preferred): lrd@police.vic.gov.au, or
Mail:

Licensing & Regulation Division
Victoria Police Centre
GPO Box 2807
Melbourne 3001

Payment is not required when you submit the application.

Step 4: Application assessment

The Licensing & Regulation Division (LRD) will process and assess your application.

Allow a minimum of 28 business days from the date we receive your your application, for it to be assessed.

Step 5: Application payment

If your application is approved, you will be sent a payment notice via email , including instructions on how to pay the fee.

Options for payment include:

cheque or money order, or
PayWay

You will need to pay the fee to finalise your approval process.

CCP Approval costs and fees

Fees for all approvals, licences and permits issued by the Licensing and Regulation Division are indexed (subject to an increase) on 1 July each year. This is in accordance with the legislation relevant to the type of fee. Application fees for CCP Approvals are set out in the Control of Weapons Regulations 2021.

To view the current weapons fee schedule, visit Service fees and penalties.

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Updated 9 October 2025