NV1 and NV2 security clearance: What does AGSVA check? 

If you are expanding your career into Australia’s defence supply chain or applying for government contracts, you likely already know that securing a Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) security clearance is a massive career milestone.

However, many applicants underestimate the sheer volume of personal data and official paperwork needed to complete the process. Once an authorised DISP member, like WorkSec, sponsors you, a 20 business day window opens for you to submit your security clearance application (digital vetting ePack) via the myClearance portal. The application is completed digitally, and you may need the myID app to access or verify parts of the process. If you cannot submit within that timeframe, you will usually receive reminders and follow-ups, and extensions may be available on request. Delays can still slow your assessment, so it is best to prepare early.

If you’re wanting to know how to get NV1 clearance, we’ve put together a security clearance checklist of the documents and historical information required by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) for an NV1 clearance.

The 10 year rule for NV1 security clearances

The most important distinction between a foundational Baseline security clearance and an NV1 security clearance is the scope of the investigation. While a Baseline check only maps out your history for the past 5 years, an NV1 clearance requires a highly detailed, checkable background covering the past 10 years of your life.

You must be prepared to provide precise dates, locations, and verifiable evidence spanning a full decade. It is important to recognise exactly what information AGSVA requires before you even begin uploading files, including comprehensive histories of previous names, legal declarations, and foreign citizenships.

The core information and document checklist

During the security clearance application (digital vetting ePack) in myClearance, you will be asked to provide extensive personal data and, depending on your circumstances, supporting evidentiary documents. AGSVA may request different documents based on the information you provide, so use this checklist as a guide to what may be required rather than collecting every item before it is requested:

1. Identity and citizenship documents

AGSVA applies strict data matching standards to verify your identity. You may need to upload clear, high-resolution scans of the following documents if requested or applicable:

• Full birth certificate: This must be an official document issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) containing at least one parent’s details. Note: Official birth extracts or commemorative certificates are not accepted by AGSVA. If you were born overseas, you must provide your foreign birth certificate alongside a NAATI-accredited translation if it is not in English.
• Proof of Australian citizenship: If you were born overseas, you must provide your official Australian citizenship certificate. If you were born in Australia on or after August 20, 1986, you must provide specific proof of citizenship, such as an active Australian passport issued on or after this date, or a parent’s full Australian birth certificate showing they were born locally before August 20, 1986.
• Photo identification linkage: You must upload a current government issued photo ID (such as a physical driver’s licence or passport). AGSVA does not accept digital driver’s licences. You are also required to upload a clear photograph of yourself holding the physical photo ID next to your face to verify your identity digitally.
• Secondary ID & financial cards: A current Medicare card or an Australian Defence Force (ADF) identity card, alongside a valid credit or bank card issued by a financial institution.
• Relationship certificates: If applicable, you must provide your current Marriage Certificate issued by BDM. If you are divorced, you must provide the official legal divorce order, decree nisi, or decree absolute. Any legal name changes or deed polls must also be supplied.

2. Address and employment history for the past 10 years

An NV1 security clearance is a Secret level authorisation, meaning investigators must thoroughly cross examine your past decade of movements. You must provide complete, gap free timelines for the past 10 years across these categories:

• Address evidence: You must list your full residential history for the past 10 years. To back this up, you may be asked to upload documentary proof of your current address and at least one previous address (such as utility bills, bank statements, council rates notices, or tax assessments).
• Employment & education evidence: You must map out all employers, schools, or universities from the last 10 years. You must upload verifiable evidence for your current role and at least one previous employment (e.g. payslips, payment summaries, letters of offer, or academic transcripts).
• International travel and passports: You must provide details of overseas travel for the last 10 years, noting the country visited, travel dates, and the purpose of the trip where requested. Some travel records may be pre-populated from Department of Home Affairs records, and AGSVA may request further passport entries or scans depending on your circumstances.

3. Financial and personal information

To evaluate an applicant’s resilience against financial coercion or bribery, AGSVA requires a rigorous breakdown of your household financial profile:

• Tax & bank statements: You must provide your latest tax return and an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notice of Assessment (not older than 18 months), alongside bank statements or transaction listings for 3 consecutive months, covering the same time period from all financial accounts.
• Income: Detailed figures regarding your gross and net salary, average fortnightly expenditure, other forms of income (investment property, child support, pensions, or government payments).
• Assets & liabilities: Details regarding cash accounts, investment balances, superannuation and buy-now-pay-later-services (Afterpay, Zip, Humm).
• Family and cohabitant profiles: You must provide details for your parents, your partner, and anyone over the age of 18 who lives with you. For adult cohabitants, this may include their birth and citizenship information, personal details, address and employment information, foreign contacts, and travel history.
• Foreign contacts and overseas relatives: You must declare any regular contact with persons outside of Australia, including overseas relatives, foreign nationals, or official foreign government contacts. You will need to provide their full names, relationships, citizenships, current addresses, and employment details.
• Associations and online presence: A declaration of any social clubs or professional associations you belong to. Plus details of your online presence, including current and previous online profiles (social media, blogs, or professional networks). 
• Legal history: Any past legal proceedings or criminal offenses must also be completely declared.
• Substance use: Illegal substance use history including type, dates used, frequency and reasons as well as personal views must also be declared.

4. The NV1 referee requirements

Referees play a critical role in the vetting process, as AGSVA will contact them to corroborate your history and character. For an NV1 clearance, you must nominate a minimum of 2 referees who meet strict criteria:

• The supervisor: At least one referee must be a professional supervisor from within the last 12 months who can account for a period of your employment spanning at least 3 months.
• The personal referee(s): You must provide one or more personal referees who, collectively, can cover every period of your life for the past 10 years.
• Eligibility: Referees should ideally be Australian citizens or permanent residents. They cannot be related to you, and they cannot be a current or former partner.

One of the biggest causes of delay during the NV1 assessment phase is referees who are difficult to reach, so ensure you prepare your referees in advance.

Understanding the Psychological Assessment (PV vs. NV1)

A common misconception is that a mental health screening is a mandatory prerequisite for all higher level clearances. A psychological assessment is only a mandatory prerequisite at the Positive Vetting (PV) level. However, AGSVA reserves the right to conduct a psychological assessment at any security clearance level, including an NV1, if they deem it necessary during the vetting process. 

If it is triggered for your NV1 application, it will consist of two parts. A psychometric testing and an interview with a psychologist and may be conducted on two different days.

Prepare for your clearance with WorkSec

Gathering a decade’s worth of financial data, old addresses, and employment records can feel overwhelming. If AGSVA requests a document and you are genuinely missing it, you generally cannot simply skip it. AGSVA may require a legally binding Statutory Declaration explaining its absence.

At WorkSec, we clear the path for defence contractors, recruiters, and corporate teams. As an accredited DISP provider, we do more than provide security clearance sponsorship. We actively guide you through your documentation pre-assessment. Our Employment Suitability Check (ESC) mirrors the high compliance standards of AS4811:2022, allowing our Security Officers to review your history and flag gaps before your myClearance submission window closes.

Don’t let missing paperwork stall your career in Australia’s sovereign defence sector. Contact WorkSec today to secure compliant, expert sponsorship and get your security clearance application industry ready.