Target Shooting
An overview of target shooting in Australia
Target shooting is conducted at approved ranges under defined rules, procedures and supervision. It includes rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines, with formats ranging from precision shooting to practical matches and clay target events.
The sport offers a wide range of pathways. Some disciplines place a premium on patience, fine control and consistency, with shooters working to improve accuracy over fixed distances and repeated courses of fire. Others test speed, movement, timing and decision-making, requiring participants to engage targets under time pressure or changing conditions.
This variety allows participants to find a style of shooting that suits their interest, ability and local range facilities. Some shoot recreationally, while others train seriously and compete at club, state and national level.
Across all disciplines, success depends on safe handling, concentration, technical skill and regular practice.
Rifle Disciplines
Target Rifle (Fullbore)
Long range shooting, typically 300 to 1000 metres, focused on precision and consistency from the prone position.
F-Class
Long range scoped rifle shooting using a bipod or rest, emphasising accuracy and wind reading.
ISSF / International Rifle
International precision rifle competition includes 10m Air Rifle, 50m Rifle 3 Positions and 50m Rifle Prone, with events conducted under ISSF rules.
Benchrest
Precision shooting from a bench using specialised equipment, focused on grouping and consistency.
Sporting / Field Rifle
Short to mid range shooting from varied positions, reflecting practical and field-based conditions.
Metallic Silhouette (Rifle)
Steel animal targets shot at set distances, requiring accuracy from unsupported positions.
Precision Rifle
Timed rifle competition combining precision, positional shooting and speed, with targets engaged from varied positions and distances.
Practical Rifle
Dynamic rifle competition involving timed stages, multiple targets and movement, testing speed, accuracy and firearm handling.
Pistol Disciplines
ISSF / Olympic Pistol
Precision shooting events including air pistol and 25m formats, focused on accuracy and control.
Metallic Silhouette (Pistol)
Handgun shooting at steel silhouette targets at varying distances.
Service Pistol
Timed pistol competition combining precision shooting with prescribed courses of fire at different distances.
WA1500
International pistol and revolver competition involving timed stages shot across multiple distances and positions.
Action Pistol
Timed pistol competition combining accuracy, speed and structured courses of fire.
Practical Pistol (IPSC)
Dynamic shooting with movement and multiple targets, requiring speed, accuracy and stage planning.
Shotgun / Clay Target Disciplines
Trap
Targets launched away from the shooter at varying angles, requiring timing and consistency.
Skeet
Crossing targets from fixed positions, focusing on rhythm and target tracking.
Sporting Clays
Variable target presentations designed to simulate field conditions.
ISSF Shotgun
International trap and skeet formats used in high performance competition.
Practical Shotgun (IPSC)
Dynamic shotgun competition involving movement, multiple targets and timed stages.
Competition Pathways
Target shooting in Australia is organised through clubs, state and territory associations and national sporting organisations, although the structure varies between disciplines. For most shooters, competition begins at club level, where regular matches provide an opportunity to learn a discipline, develop skills and compete under its rules.
From club competition, shooters can participate in regional, state and national events. Some competitions are open to eligible members, while others involve qualification, grading or selection. State and national organisations generally administer competition rules, championships, records and representative teams for the disciplines they govern.
National competition is not limited to Olympic shooting. Australia has established national and international pathways across Fullbore and F-Class rifle, practical shooting, clay target shooting, Action Pistol, Service Pistol, WA1500, Metallic Silhouette and many other disciplines. National bodies may select Australian teams for international matches, regional championships and world championships conducted under the rules of their respective international organisations.
A shooter’s pathway depends on the discipline they choose and the organisations responsible for it. A recreational shooter may remain entirely at club level, while competitive shooters can progress through state and national competition and, where their discipline provides for it, represent Australia internationally.
Olympic and Para Shooting
Olympic and Para shooting form a specific part of Australia’s wider target shooting system. They operate under international competition structures administered by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS), with Australia’s national high-performance program administered by Shooting Australia.
Olympic shooting includes rifle, pistol and shotgun events. Rifle and pistol competition includes precision events conducted at distances from 10 to 50 metres, while the shotgun program includes Trap and Skeet. These disciplines are conducted internationally under ISSF rules and form the pathway to ISSF World Cups, World Championships and the Olympic Games. They represent only part of Australian target shooting; many of the disciplines practised competitively in Australia are not Olympic events.
Para shooting provides international competition for eligible athletes with physical impairments. The Paralympic program includes rifle and pistol events, with athletes competing within classifications based on functional ability. World Shooting Para Sport also conducts international competition beyond the events included on the Paralympic program.
Australian athletes in ISSF and World Shooting Para Sport disciplines can progress through domestic and national competition to national squads and international events, including World Cups, World Championships, the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.