Security Clearances

In order to be eligible for an Australian Government security clearance, you must have:

• Australian Citizenship
• Checkable Background

AGSVA will also determine if an individual is suitable to hold a security clearance, by making an assessment of overall integrity using the following character traits:

• Honesty
• Trustworthiness
• Maturity
• Tolerance
• Resilience
• Loyalty

Visit the AGSVA website to learn more: Eligibility and suitability | Australian Government Security Vetting Agency

Yes.  Although there are exceptional circumstances where the AGSVA may waive the Australian citizenship requirement, these are generally unavailable to Defence Industry as they require a specific set of conditions:

• The foreign national is necessary to meeting a critical objective.
• The role cannot be redesigned so that access to classified information or resources is restricted.
• The role cannot be performed by an Australian citizen.
• There is no conflict of interest in relation to the foreign national’s country of allegiance and the role being undertaken.
• The foreign national is a permanent resident, is actively seeking citizenship and the process will be concluded in a reasonable period.

Further information on what documentation you will need can be found at AGSVA | Security Officers | Sponsoring a New Clearance under the section Foreign nationals and citizenship waivers.

Under the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), individuals who need access to security classified resources – including classified information, systems, or assets – must hold a security clearance.

You may also need a security clearance if you occupy a position of trust that requires additional assurance of integrity and reliability.

Clearances are not required to access information that is Official or Official: Sensitive, as these are not security-classified levels.

The four levels of Australian Government security clearances are:

• Baseline – permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including Protected
• Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) – permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including Secret, and temporary access to Top Secret in certain circumstances
• Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) – permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including Top Secret
• Positive Vetting (PV) – permits ongoing access to Top Secret, including some caveated resources (Note: The Top Secret – Privileged Access (TS-PA) clearance will eventually replace PV and will be managed by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.)

WorkSec provides sponsorship of personnel security clearances at the Baseline, NV1, and NV2 levels. PV and TS-PA clearances are managed directly by government agencies and are not offered under the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).

Most Defence and Defence Industry roles require applicants to hold a Baseline or NV1 clearance, depending on the level of classified information they will access.

While you may apply directly for NV1 or NV2 without first holding a Baseline, many applicants choose to secure a Baseline clearance first to begin work sooner while progressing toward higher levels.

Contact WorkSec if you’re unsure which clearance level applies to your role or project – our Security Officers can guide you through the right sponsorship pathway.

Yes. AGSVA charges fees to government agencies and defence industry sponsors for security clearance assessments. This ensures adequate resourcing and recovery of security vetting service costs in an environment of growing demand for clearances.

WorkSec passes through AGSVA’s vetting fees, and also charges a once off fee for the employment suitability check, as well as an annual sponsorship fee to cover the Security Officer and governance duties required for you to maintain your clearance in line with DISP and PSPF obligations.

Often, employers will cover these fees where security clearances are required for Defence or Government engagement. In some cases, costs may also be tax-deductible, so it’s worth checking with your accountant.

Contact WorkSec today for a quick quote or to confirm your eligibility and sponsorship options — our team can help you understand exactly what applies in your situation.

In accordance with the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), WorkSec conducts comprehensive Employment Suitability Checks (ESCs) before submitting any clearance application to the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). These checks assess eligibility and suitability against the PSPF and AS4811:2022 standards. If any circumstances are identified that are likely to result in a negative vetting outcome, WorkSec will advise the applicant and sponsoring organisation prior to lodgement with the AGSVA.

If, during the vetting process, clearance applicants are assessed as not suitable to hold a security clearance, AGSVA initiates a procedural fairness process.

The clearance applicant is advised of AGSVA’s concerns and is provided an opportunity to respond. AGSVA will consider all of the information, including the clearance applicant’s response, before making a final decision on the outcome of the security clearance assessment.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility or suitability, or believe there may be factors that could affect your clearance, contact WorkSec to confidentially discuss your personal circumstances before beginning the process.