I'm in Australia and want to purchase a rifle as a gift for an Aussie friend in Seattle. Can I purchase online and he picks it up once he acquires a WA firearms licence ?

Give him a Cabelas gift card

It is possible but you have to call the store directly. Usually they sell you a gift card for the total amount of the firearm including tax, then your friend can claim the gift card and use it to buy the rifle. If your friend is not a US citizen they will not be able to own a firearm. Best bet is to have your friend fill out the paperwork first and get cleared, then call the store and set it all up.

Sate law requires the purchaser to be the owner. It would be easiest to send the friend the money to buy it instead. Don't want to mess with guns laws in WA . Depending on the rifle they won't need a license anyways.

Unless hes a citizen or resident I dont believe he can own a rifle in Washington