Sawfishes are emblematic of many of the current challenges faced in marine conservation. Despite comprehensive protection measures across various levels in Australia, populations remain under threat from bycatch and illegal take for their rostra. While commonly available in collections, trophy rostra often have little associated location data, limiting their use in distribution analyses critical for effective conservation strategies. This study evaluates the use of trace elemental analysis via Induction Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) of rostral teeth to identify capture location and origin estuary for narrow (Anoxypristis cuspidata), green (Pristis zijsron) and freshwater (Pristis pristis) sawfishes along the Queensland coast. We also analysed transects along the growth axis of adult teeth aiming to reconstruct life-histories movements, providing much needed insights on endangered elasmobranchs predominately represented in literature by juveniles. Preliminary spot results from 146 teeth across 16 estuaries show promise to pinpoint rostra origin at the regional level, reducing uncertainty by several hundred kilometres. This analysis not only bridges a knowledge gap in sawfish ecology, but also suggests that rostral teeth can serve as a non-lethal solution in obtaining life history data, continuing to build on the structures that can be used as tools in conservation and marine spatial planning.