Yes any licensed law abiding person can own a handgun. However generally they must be an active pistol target club member attending usually at least six competitions per year (in SA anyway) backed up by the club's report each license renewal.

Other uses can include some states allow for example professional hunters to be able to use a handgun for backup purposes, eg I believe the NT and Qld.

Some states allow farmers and other farm workers to use a handgun for farm use, the properties generally must be quite large, I forget the SA minimum, in the tens of thousands of hectares. Other states may have different standards. The reasoning here is it is easy to carry a handgun when doing farm work, and harder to have a long arm. On large properties it may not be feasible to return to the homestead to get a rifle, eg to put down stock.

Security company staff, but only during their working hours.

Handguns can not be owned for self defence, or self protection. If a eg a break in occurs, a firearm may be appropriate for defending oneself depending on the circumstances.

Handguns can not be owned for hunting. Maybe the NT ? Someone can correct me if I am incorrect.

The 2003 handgun "steal off" (buy back) banned handguns less than a certain length. Also restricted most handguns greater then .38 calibre. Some sports are still permitted large calibres eg metal Silhouette, and "Action Match" competitions. We would very much like to see IPSC again have access to .40's and .45's. Will see if there is any positive or negative progress in the next few months when the National Firearms Review recommendations are finally released.

Magazines of ten shots or less.

All due to the excuse of one Chiness foreign student using a handgun to shoot between three and five persons in 2003. Another excuse used by the gun banning vultures ...

But lets not dwell on laws in this thread, and instead enjoy Ahmend's wonderful battery. About to post the next installment.