Are NSW paintball laws hitting the mark?

Paintball is enjoyed recreationally and competitively by thousands of people in NSW each year.

The NSW Government introduced the Paintball Act 2018 (the Act) to provide the regulatory framework for paintball markers and activities while reducing red tape for paintball businesses and providing them with enhanced levels of customer service.

We are reviewing how the Act has been operating. Your feedback will help make sure the law is still appropriate and fair for everyone.

Specifically, we are seeking your views on:

  • the relevancy of the objectives of the Act
  • the requirements and operation of the paintball marker register
  • whether the Act should regulate paintball markers used for purposes other than the sport of paintball
  • how modified paintball markers should be treated within the law
  • the impact of the paintball venue permit system
  • the safety and training provisions outlined in the Act.

We want to hear from past and present paintball venue permit business owners, industry bodies, players and the public.

For more information, please refer to the discussion paper and resources.


Thank you for your feedback

This engagement closed on Friday, 24 December 2021.


Paintball is enjoyed recreationally and competitively by thousands of people in NSW each year.

The NSW Government introduced the Paintball Act 2018 (the Act) to provide the regulatory framework for paintball markers and activities while reducing red tape for paintball businesses and providing them with enhanced levels of customer service.

We are reviewing how the Act has been operating. Your feedback will help make sure the law is still appropriate and fair for everyone.

Specifically, we are seeking your views on:

  • the relevancy of the objectives of the Act
  • the requirements and operation of the paintball marker register
  • whether the Act should regulate paintball markers used for purposes other than the sport of paintball
  • how modified paintball markers should be treated within the law
  • the impact of the paintball venue permit system
  • the safety and training provisions outlined in the Act.

We want to hear from past and present paintball venue permit business owners, industry bodies, players and the public.

For more information, please refer to the discussion paper and resources.


Thank you for your feedback

This engagement closed on Friday, 24 December 2021.


  • Consultation news and updates

    Consultation findings

    13 July 2022

    All feedback and submissions have been carefully analysed. Published submissions marked ‘approved for publication’ are now available in the ‘Consultation submissions’ box (refer to the right of this page).

    The consultation resulted in 93 people uploading a submission through the Have Your Say website and 81 people completing the online survey related to the Statutory Review of the Paintball Act 2018. Out of the 93 written submissions, 78 individuals used a campaign template, 28 of which are anonymous.

    Submissions were received from a range of interested stakeholders, including industry associations, business owners, permit holders, individual members of the public and other Government Departments.

    Overall, stakeholders were broadly supportive of the Government’s decision to remove paintball from the firearms legislation and found that the objectives of the Act remain valid and the regulatory framework continues to be largely appropriate to secure those objectives.

    Access the Final Report here.