Firearm storage alarms and CCTV in Perth and WA
Western Australia’s firearm storage rules changed with the Firearms Act 2024 and Firearms Regulations 2024, which commenced in March 2025. Depending on your situation, your storage may now need an alarm system, and in some cases CCTV. We design, install and maintain those alarm and camera systems, in Perth and on regional and rural properties.
Important: We’re security installers, not lawyers or licensing officers. Your storage obligations are set by the legislation and administered by WA Police Firearms Licensing, and only they can confirm what applies to you. Please check your requirements with WA Police before relying on any general information on this page.
About safes and cabinets: We don’t supply, install or work on safes or storage containers. Your safe or cabinet is arranged separately by you, and we design the alarm and CCTV system around it.
What the requirements depend on
In general terms, whether you need an alarm or CCTV depends on:
How many firearms are stored at the location (WA Police groups these as 5 or fewer, 6 to 15, and 16 or more)
The categories of firearms stored (A, B, C, E and H)
Whether the storage place is occupied or unoccupied (for example, inside the home you live in, or in a shed or separate building)
Your licence type (individual, primary producer, collector, club, range, business and so on)
WA Police sets this out in its Storage and Security information sheet.
Alarm systems
Where an alarm is required, the regulations refer to an “operational level 1” or “operational level 2” alarm system. In plain terms:
A level 1 alarm system includes motion sensors covering the storage place (without visible activation lights), sounds an alarm when motion is detected, notifies at least one person who stores firearms there, and otherwise substantially complies with the Australian Standard for intruder alarms (AS/NZS 2201.1).
A level 2 alarm system includes everything in level 1, plus seismic sensors that detect an attack on, or attempt to move, the firearm storage container; a duress button; and a control panel located away from public access.
In both cases the system must cover the whole storage place and the areas from which it can be accessed.
CCTV
In some situations, mainly larger collections or certain categories at unoccupied locations, an operational video surveillance system is also required. The regulations set specific requirements, including frame rate, date and time stamping, a UPS (backup power), remote access, access logs, password protection, notification if recording stops, and at least 30 days of stored footage. We design firearm-storage CCTV with these requirements in mind.
Monitoring
The regulations centre on the alarm sounding and notifying a person who stores firearms at the location. Many owners also choose 24/7 monitoring through a Perth-based monitoring facility, particularly for rural or unoccupied sites. Monitoring is optional and quoted per site.
Maintenance and records
Compliant alarm systems need to be kept on a maintenance schedule, and the regulator can ask for records of maintenance work covering the previous five years. We service and maintain the systems we install, and give you records of the work for your files.
What we do
Talk through your situation and look at your storage place, so the design suits what you have and where it’s kept. Site visits and design are free.
Alarm systems designed to the operational level 1 or level 2 description, using Bosch, Digiflex or Gallagher SMB equipment, including seismic sensors and duress buttons where needed. We can also work with many existing panels, including DAS, NX, DSC, Ademco and Ness.
CCTV that meets the surveillance system requirements where your storage needs it
24/7 monitoring through a Perth-based monitoring facility if you want it (optional, quoted per site)
Maintenance and servicing on a schedule, with records of the work you can keep
What we don’t do
We don’t supply, install or work on safes, cabinets or other storage containers.
We don’t give legal advice or tell you which licence or storage level applies to you. WA Police Firearms Licensing is the authority on that.
We can’t guarantee that WA Police will approve your storage. Approval is their decision. What we can do is install alarm and CCTV systems that match the technical requirements set out in the regulations and keep clear records of the work.
We don’t sell, handle or transport firearms.
Firearm compliance FAQ
Does my shed count as unoccupied?
WA Police gives “a shed in the backyard” as an example of an unoccupied storage location. If your storage isn’t in the home you live in, assume it may be treated as unoccupied and check with Firearms Licensing.
Do I need back-to-base monitoring?
The alarm requirements in the regulations centre on the alarm sounding and notifying a person who stores firearms at the location. Monitoring is an option many owners choose, particularly for rural or unoccupied sites, but check your specific requirements with WA Police.
Can you add to my existing alarm?
Often, yes, if it’s a quality system in good working order. We work with most common panels. We’ll tell you honestly if yours isn’t suitable.
Do you work outside Perth?
Yes. We regularly work on regional, rural and remote sites, with clients in Newman, Kalgoorlie and Esperance.
How do I get started?
Send us the number of firearms, where they’re stored, and what alarm or cameras you have now, using the contact form. Tim will call to talk it through. See How it works on the Contact page.
