Australia will begin a major gun buyback programme in New South Wales on November 2 following a deadly shooting at a Jewish religious festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the plan, under which members of the public can surrender rifles and handguns to the government. Compensation of up to A$1,000 will be available for each weapon returned.

The initiative follows the December 14, 2025 shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, in which 15 people were killed. The government moved to tighten gun laws nationwide after the attack. Government data showed Australia had a record 4.1 million firearms last year, including more than 1.1 million in New South Wales, the country’s most populous state.

Albanese said the number of weapons is now higher than it was during the 1996 buyback following the Port Arthur killings, which left 35 people dead. The new plan is being viewed as Australia’s biggest gun return programme since then. New South Wales has also capped individual firearm ownership at four weapons and tightened licence checks and measures against hateful activity.