Australian leaders have promised to immediately overhaul already-tough gun control laws after a mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

For many, official promises to stamp out the “evil scourge” of antisemitism and consider further tightening gun control measures come too late.

Three decades ago, almost 650,000 firearms − about one-third of all privately owned guns in Australia – were surrendered, loaded intro trucks and destroyed. In exchange for these firearms, part of a mandatory gun buyback program, the government paid out $200 million. Gun-related murder and suicide rates plummeted.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their surviving families who are now dealing with unfathomable loss and heartbreak," wrote Garbage on Instagram after at least 15 people were killed and 40 people injured in the incident,

A bystander, identified by 7NEWS Australia as Ahmed al Ahmed, seen disarming a gunman at Sydney's Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah event is being heralded as a hero.

Police in Australia say two people have been arrested after reports that multiple people were shot at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. A New South Wales state police statement said on Sunday two people had been taken into custody.