Demystifying the secret clearance in Australia
To build a career in Australia’s growing Defence, intelligence, or government supply chains, you typically need a security clearance as a minimum requirement to be considered for a job.
However, navigating the terminology can be confusing. Many professionals search for how to get a secret clearance in Australia, only to be confused by acronyms like NV1, NV2, PV, and the newer TS-PA.
What is the difference between these clearance levels? And if you are aiming for the absolute highest clearance, what do you need to know about industry sponsorship? Let’s break it down.
What actually is a secret clearance?
In the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), a Secret clearance is officially referred to as Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) clearance. Security clearances are a requirement to access classified information for contractors and government employees alike.
- NV1 (Secret): Permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including the Secret level.
- NV2 (Top Secret): For those requiring even higher access, an NV2 clearance permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including Top Secret.
Understanding PV (Positive Vetting) and the new TS-PA
In addition to the standard Secret (NV1) and Top Secret (NV2) levels, there are specialised clearances for handling the nation’s most sensitive information.
- Positive Vetting (PV): This is historically the highest level of clearance, permitting ongoing access to Top Secret information, including some highly sensitive caveated resources.
- Top Secret-Privileged Access (TS-PA): The Australian government is currently transitioning to its highest tier. The TS-PA clearance will eventually replace the PV level entirely and is managed directly by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), rather than the AGSVA.
The pivot: NV1 vs NV2 vs PV clearance
Many skilled professionals pursue PV or TS-PA clearance to enhance their competitiveness as candidates. However, many quickly realise they need to adjust their strategy and seek an NV1 or NV2 clearance instead.
Here is why:
The hard truth about PV/TS-PA is that they cannot be sponsored by private industry.
If you are a contractor or an individual trying to get cleared through the private sector, you cannot be sponsored for a PV or TS-PA clearance. These highest-tier clearances are managed directly by government agencies and cannot be sponsored under the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).
In the current Defence Industry job market, you typically don’t need a PV clearance to work on valuable and lucrative projects. Most Defence and Defence Industry jobs advertised today require applicants to hold either a Baseline, NV1 (Secret), or NV2 (Top Secret) clearance.
Many professionals who are ineligible for direct government PV sponsorship opt to obtain an NV1 or NV2 through an industry sponsor. This allows them to step straight into high-paying Defence Industry roles without the barriers of the PV/TS-PA pathway.
How to get your secret clearance (NV1 or NV2)
If you’ve decided that NV1 (Secret) or NV2 (Top Secret) is the right career path for you, you must meet the strict eligibility criteria for Australian Government security vetting. Most importantly, you cannot apply for a clearance on your own. The vetting process must be managed by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) and initiated by an authorised sponsor. The eligibility criteria includes:
- Australian citizenship: Waivers are generally unavailable for Defence Industry roles.
- Checkable background: Your history must be verifiable by the vetting agency.
- Character suitability: You will be assessed on Honesty, Trustworthiness, Maturity, Tolerance, Resilience, and Loyalty.
Most importantly, you cannot apply for a clearance on your own. You must be sponsored.
How WorkSec can help (and what we don’t do)
WorkSec does not provide sponsorship for Positive Vetting (PV) or Top Secret-Privileged Access (TS-PA) clearances, as these are not included in the DISP framework.
However, if you are looking for security clearance sponsorship in Australia, WorkSec is your trusted partner. We provide full security clearance sponsorship and through-life governance for:
- Baseline Clearances (Protected access)
- NV1 Clearances (Secret access)
- NV2 Clearances (Top Secret access)
Our Trusted Workforce program provides sponsorship, expert guidance, and ongoing compliance support to help you navigate the AGSVA vetting process smoothly.
Secret clearance FAQs
Q: Can I get a PV (Positive Vetting) or TS-PA clearance through a private company?
A: No. Positive Vetting (PV) and Top Secret-Privileged Access (TS-PA) clearances are handled by government agencies and cannot be sponsored by private companies through the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP). If you are a contractor or working in the private sector, the highest clearance you can be sponsored for through an industry provider like WorkSec is an NV2 (Top Secret) clearance.
Q: Can I apply for a secret clearance in Australia on my own?
A: No, you cannot apply for a security clearance independently. In Australia, obtaining a secret clearance requires an approved sponsor to initiate the vetting process and registers your interest in the clearance. This sponsor must be a Government Agency, a Defence Prime Contractor, or an accredited DISP provider like WorkSec.
Q: Do I need a Baseline clearance before applying for a Secret (NV1) clearance?
A: You can apply for an NV1 (Secret) or NV2 (Top Secret) clearance directly, without needing a Baseline clearance first. However, an NV1 clearance takes an average of 3 months to process, while a Baseline takes only 1 month. Many professionals secure a Baseline clearance first to start working on projects while waiting for their higher-level clearance.
Ready to start your NV1 or NV2 clearance journey?
WorkSec can help you obtain the NV1 or NV2 clearance required for most Defence industry roles, but we do not provide PV or TS-PA levels.
Reach out to the WorkSec team today to formalise your sponsorship pathway and get your career moving.
