In New South Wales, a person must be at least 12 years old to possess or use a paintball marker at a paintball venue or enter the paintball game area. A commercial operator can still set a higher age for a particular session.
NSW answer at a glance
- Under 12: cannot use a marker or enter the paintball game area.
- Ages 12 to 17: written consent from a person with parental responsibility is required.
- Venue customer: no personal permit is needed merely to use venue equipment temporarily during the authorised session.
- Owning, supplying or using a marker away from an authorised venue involves different rules.
What the NSW law requires
Section 38 of the Paintball Act 2018 sets the participant age rule. It also requires written consent for a child or young person aged 12 to under 18 before they possess or use a marker at the venue or enter the game area.
The Act separately requires the game area to be clearly designated. A person cannot enter while a marker is present unless they have the prescribed or otherwise adequate protective clothing and equipment. Venue permit holders must also maintain the required public liability insurance, including cover for young participants when they are permitted to play.
What to bring for a player under 18
Ask the venue for its current consent form before game day. Confirm who can sign, whether electronic consent is accepted, what identification is needed and whether the responsible adult must remain. Bring proof of age if requested. Incomplete or mismatched information can delay the whole group at check-in.
Example: a 15-year-old attending with friends
The booking organiser cannot automatically consent for every child. Each young player should have the operator’s required written consent from a person with parental responsibility. The group should confirm this before travelling, especially when no parent plans to play.
Does a customer need a paintball permit?
A customer does not need a personal permit simply to take temporary possession of a venue-supplied marker while participating at an authorised venue. That narrow permission should not be confused with buying, owning, storing, transporting, supplying or using a marker elsewhere.
If you want to bring your own marker, purchase one or transport one between locations, read the current NSW Fair Trading permit guidance and speak to the venue before doing so.
What changed on 1 September 2024?
NSW introduced updated rules for permit holders and suppliers. Paintball markers continue to be regulated as recreational sporting devices through NSW Fair Trading rather than as firearms administered by NSW Police. The changes did not remove venue, supplier and marker-permit responsibilities.
Choosing an age-appropriate NSW session
- Ask whether it is a dedicated junior, low-impact, private or mixed public session.
- Confirm the ages and experience levels likely to share the game area.
- Ask how masks are fitted to smaller faces and what additional head or torso protection is available.
- Check that the briefing explains mask zones, barrel blocking, cease-fire calls and how to leave a game safely.
- Ask how staff handle anxiety, poor visibility, heat and players who decide not to continue.
Booking and cancellation checks
Before paying, obtain the total package price, included paint, group minimums, arrival time and likely finish time. Read the weather, cancellation, transfer and refund terms. Australian Consumer Law provides automatic guarantees for services, including due care and skill, but the remedy for a cancellation depends on the circumstances and the booking terms. Keep the booking confirmation and any special arrangement in writing.
Official sources
- NSW Paintball Act 2018
- NSW Fair Trading: Paintball permits and guidance
- ACCC: Consumer rights and guarantees
For other jurisdictions, see the Australian paintball laws guide.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice.