To allow you to use a crossbow in NSW you need to obtain a Police Commissioners Exemption Permit, to obtain this permit you have to comply with the following:

• Be a member of an ASNSW registered Archery Club. (that club has to comply with certain criteria to allow it to support applications for a Exemption Permit)
• Obtain a letter from that Club supporting your application and stating that you have a genuine reason to own a crossbow. HUNTING IS NOT A GENUINE REASON TO OWN A CROSSBOW IN NSW and permits are only available for use with target style bows for use in target archery events.
• Be over the age of 18.
• Pass a Police background check, similar to applying for a gun license.
• Have a safe to store the weapon in (same as the one required for shotgun / rimfire rifles).

Permit costs are currently $127 for a 5 year permit (May 2007).

Individual Clubs have local rules concerning the use of crossbows at their grounds and some clubs do not allow or support the use of crossbows at their grounds.

The only crossbow that ASNSW will support is target style bows as explained in chapter 15 of the Archery Australia Shooting Rules, available from www.archery.org.au.

Archery NSW does NOT support the use of crossbows in the "Sporting Crossbows" division in NSW, only the "Target Crossbow" division is supported. 

More information is also available from the society's Crossbow Liason Officer