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Once your security clearance request has been submitted, the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) will email you login details for the myClearance system. You’ll have up to 20 business days to complete your application and upload all required documents.

You’ll receive a personalised checklist of documents to provide – it’s important to upload everything listed. If a document is missing, you’ll need to complete a Statutory Declaration explaining why. AGSVA may contact you or your referees if any additional information is needed.

After your application is submitted, AGSVA will review it to ensure it’s complete. Once accepted, the vetting assessment begins. Depending on your clearance level, this may include:

• Identity verification and citizenship checks
• Referee interviews and background verification
• Travel history and digital footprint checks
• National Police and financial probity checks
• Security assessment interviews or psychological assessments, if required
• ASIO assessment for higher-level clearances

Your case will be assigned to a vetting officer, who reviews all information and makes a recommendation regarding your suitability to hold a clearance. A decision maker from AGSVA will then review the recommendation and make the final determination, with both you and your sponsor notified of the outcome.

Download the AGSVA Security Clearance Applicant Guide Book to understand what documents and checks may apply to your clearance level or Contact WorkSec for further information.

You cannot apply for a security clearance on your own; you need a sponsor to provide the personnel governance required for the maintenance of your clearance. A sponsor is a Government entity or a DISP member organisation that is able to formally endorse your need for access to classified information. They will facilitate your application and ensure that it adheres to the necessary protocols.

WorkSec can provide sponsorship for AGSVA Baseline, NV1, and NV2 personnel security clearances. As your sponsor, WorkSec assists in the application process and ensures that all necessary documentation and requirements are met for obtaining the respective security clearances. WorkSec provides the governance you need to attain and maintain a clearance.

Learn more about Security Clearance Sponsorship.

Referees are required for both the WorkSec Employment Suitability Check (ESC) and the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) vetting process. They play an important role in verifying the information you provide and assisting with your suitability assessment.

Each clearance level has specific referee requirements:

• Baseline – 1 professional referee covering at least the last 3 months
• Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) – 1 professional referee (last 3 months) and 1 personal referee who can comment on the past 10 years
• Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) – 1 professional referee (last 3 months) and 1 personal referee who can comment on the past 10 years

You may nominate multiple referees to meet these requirements.

When choosing referees, consider the following:

• Your professional referee should ideally be your current supervisor and have supervised you for at least the last 3 months. If this isn’t possible, a previous supervisor from the past 12 months can be used.
• If you haven’t worked in the past 12 months, personal referees may be nominated instead.
• Referees must have known you personally or professionally for at least 3 months and had regular contact during that period.
• Referees must be able to provide an objective assessment – close relatives, partners, doctors, or teachers are generally not suitable.
• Where possible, referees should be Australian citizens or permanent residents. If overseas, they must be contactable by phone, video, or email.
• Ensure your referees are aware of the process and willing to participate.

Contact WorkSec if you’re unsure who to nominate – our Security Officers can help you identify suitable referees based on your circumstances and clearance level.

If you already hold a security clearance but are currently unsponsored, WorkSec can assist with reactivation once sponsorship is established.

Before reactivation, WorkSec will conduct an Employment Suitability Check (ESC) to confirm your eligibility and suitability – this process typically takes around five business days.

If your clearance has been inactive for less than three months, reactivation is generally instant once WorkSec registers an interest in your clearance with the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).

If you have been unsponsored for longer, AGSVA may request a Change of Circumstances (CoC) to update details such as employment, residence, or other relevant changes since you were last sponsored. Your clearance will usually be reinstated pending CoC processing, with typical timelines of 1–2 weeks, depending on complexity and AGSVA workload. In some cases, AGSVA may reactivate your clearance immediately after submission while the CoC is still being reviewed.

Contact WorkSec today to begin the sponsorship process and confirm the fastest reactivation pathway for your existing clearance.

The duration of a security clearance depends on its level. Each clearance is subject to periodic revalidation by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) to ensure ongoing suitability and eligibility.

Revalidation periods are as follows:

• Baseline – every 15 years
• Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) – every 10 years
• Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) – every 5 to 7 years
• Positive Vetting (PV) – every 5 to 7 years

During the revalidation process, AGSVA will contact both the clearance holder and their Security Officer by email and SMS to commence a review of circumstances and reissue the clearance application.

A clearance remains active as long as sponsorship is maintained with an approved DISP member organisation. If a clearance holder’s sponsorship is withdrawn (for example, they leave a sponsored role), the clearance may be downgraded or cancelled.

Following the introduction of myClearance in November 2022, AGSVA temporarily paused revalidations. While some clearances may show an expired date, AGSVA has now resumed revalidation activities, and affected clearances remain valid if there is an active sponsor in place.

If your clearance has expired and you wish to return to a cleared role, contact WorkSec to discuss your options for sponsorship and reapplication.