The sport of competitive target pistol shooting in Australia was introduced in an organised and formal manner in Tasmania in 1928. South Australia followed soon after, with all other Australian states and territories progressively adopting the sport over subsequent decades.
The requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) led to the formation of the Australian Shooting Association (ASA) in 1956 as the national shooting body, enabling the Australian Olympic Federation (AOF) to field a shooting team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.
As the governing body for pistol shooting, the Amateur Pistol Shooting Union of Australia (APSUA) was inaugurated on 16 June 1956 and affiliated with the ASA as the organisation representing pistol events. The foundation of Australia’s national pistol association was achieved through the joint efforts of George Rogers (Victoria), Bob Morgan (Tasmania), and Fred Bott (South Australia), who worked tirelessly and overcame significant challenges to establish the organisation.
APSUA was renamed Pistol Australia (PA) in 1991. In 2024, Pistol Australia adopted the trading name Target Pistol Australia (TPA).
Today, Target Pistol Australia (TPA) is Australia’s premier target pistol shooting organisation.
TPA is the peak national sporting body responsible for the administration and development of pistol shooting in Australia. The organisation oversees athlete pathways into Olympic and Paralympic competition, as well as high-performance programs across three non-Olympic disciplines.
In addition to conducting the annual Australian Pistol Shooting National Championships and other major events, TPA provides pistol teams through Shooting Australia to represent the nation at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, World Cups, and other international target pistol competitions.
TPA also manages national teams competing in three non-Olympic disciplines:
Action Pistol
Metallic Silhouette
WA1500
TPA is directly affiliated with the relevant international governing bodies for these disciplines.
TPA is recognised as a National Sporting Organisation (NSO) by the Australian Federal Government through Sport Integrity Australia and the National Sports Tribunal.
TPA currently has approximately 20,000 members across its state and territory associations. It is a not-for-profit organisation and does not receive funding from the Federal Government.
TPA is responsible for conducting national championships in:
All ISSF pistol events
PA Black Powder events
PA Service Pistol events
Bianchi Action Pistol events
IMSSU Metallic Silhouette events
WA1500 match events
Its members are represented through Shooting Australia (SA) to the:
International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC)
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA)
Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
TPA operates within a three-tiered system, with each level playing a specific and important role.
At the grassroots level are the individual clubs located throughout Australia. These clubs form the foundation of the organisation and maintain its membership base.
Individuals wishing to participate in target pistol shooting join a club, becoming part of a close-knit community united by a shared passion for the sport. Clubs are responsible for communicating with members and liaising with their respective state or territory affiliates.
State and territory affiliates oversee all activities within their jurisdiction. They share responsibility with clubs for maintaining clear communication regarding state and national matters.
For individual TPA members, the first point of contact for any queries relating to TPA activities should be their Club Secretary, followed by their State Secretary or Administration Officer if required.
ACT Pistol Association (ACTPA)
NSW Amateur Pistol Association (NSWAPA)
Pistol Northern Territory (PNT)
Pistol Shooting Queensland (PSQ)
South Australian Revolver & Pistol Association (SARPA)
Tasmanian Pistol Association
Victorian Amateur Pistol Association (VAPA)
West Australian Pistol Association (WAPA)
At the national level, TPA is responsible for:
Development and administration of rules for TPA events, including:
PA Service Pistol
PA Service Pistol Unrestricted
PA Service Pistol 25 Yards
PA 25m Black Powder
PA 50m Black Powder
PA 13-Shot Black Powder
Accreditation and delivery of programs for:
Coaches at Club, Competition, and National levels
Officials at Range Officer, Judge, and National Judge levels
Management of:
TPA National Championships
National Club Competition
For pistol events, TPA serves as Australia’s pathway to international competition, including:
World Championships
Oceania Shooting Federation Championships
Olympic Games
Commonwealth Games
This is achieved through TPA’s affiliation with Shooting Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee.
TPA also manages development squads in:
ISSF Pistol
Action Pistol
Metallic Silhouette
WA1500
