DISP Members
The Defence Industry Development Strategy puts security and a Trusted Workforce at the core of Australia’s sovereign defence base. For DISP members, opportunities are growing; and so are compliance demands.
From Employment Suitability Checks to through-life security clearance governance, DISP Members must meet the highest personnel security standards. WorkSec provides the sponsorship, governance and reporting support, and security cleared talent you need to keep your workforce Defence-ready and compliant.
The Challenge for DISP Members
Strengthen your DISP compliance. Scale your Trusted Workforce.
DISP membership demonstrates your commitment to Australia’s Defence industry – but it also comes with obligations that can be complex and resource-heavy to manage.
- Mandatory ESCs – every security clearance begins with an Employment Suitability Check.
- Limited sponsorship authority – entry-level DISP members can’t sponsor their own staff. Even higher-level members may find the administration burdensome.
- Ongoing compliance – through-life governance, annual reporting, COC & RNI reporting, and security awareness training must all be managed proactively.
- Security cleared workforce shortages – many DISP members struggle to source already-cleared personnel to meet project needs quickly.
WorkSec helps DISP Members overcome these challenges, ensuring you stay compliant, scalable, and competitive.
The ANAO 2021-22 audit found that Defence had not established fit-for-purpose arrangements to monitor DISP compliance, limiting the program’s effectiveness as a security control.
Defence has since responded with stricter audits, reporting, and enforcement measures.
According to the Australian Government December 2024 Update to the Joint Standing
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade report.
Why Now? Strengthened DISP Compliance Is Here
The compliance landscape for DISP members is shifting rapidly. The 2021–22 ANAO audit found that Defence’s administration of DISP obligations was only “partially effective,” with gaps in contract oversight, compliance monitoring, and non-compliance management. Defence agreed to six key recommendations, all aimed at tightening assurance, documentation, and enforcement.
Fast forward to 2024: Defence has acted.
New systems, including the DISP Membership System (DMS) and CRM platforms, now provide accurate, auditable records of DISP members and contracts. Audit frameworks, mandatory training, and escalation pathways for non-compliance have been embedded. Defence has confirmed that DISP contract clauses, monitoring, and annual reporting are now subject to closer scrutiny and continuous improvement cycles.
This means that DISP members can no longer treat compliance as a “tick-the-box” exercise. The bar is being raised across:
- Contract governance – DISP clauses are increasingly mandated in Defence contracts, and non-compliance risks exclusion from opportunities.
- Assurance & audits – Annual Security Reports, cyber resilience questionnaires, and randomised “deep dive” audits are now standard.
- Training & reporting – Contract managers and DISP members are expected to demonstrate real, working knowledge of their security obligations.
- Non-compliance escalation – The new DISP Assurance Framework gives Defence a structured pathway to suspend or cancel memberships if standards are not met.
In short, DISP obligations are no longer mere guidelines. They are actively enforced regulatory requirements.
For DISP members, the time to act is now. By engaging WorkSec’s specialist services, you augment your CSO/SO capability, safeguard your membership, stay audit-ready, and focus on doing what you do best – delivering your products and services into the Defence industry supply chain with confidence and peace of mind.
Our services
How We Support Your DISP Membership
WorkSec provides DISP members with a complete personnel security solution; everything you need to stay compliant, scale your Trusted Workforce, and demonstrate strong governance. Whether you’re at entry level and need sponsorship for your people, or a higher-level DISP member looking to outsource compliance and reporting, WorkSec augments your CSO/SO capability to help you meet your DISP obligations and focus on your delivery quality.
Risk-based screening & assessment in alignment with AS 4811:2022.
Baseline, NV1 & NV2 sponsorship for eligible & suitable individuals.
Outsourced personnel security governance for Defence & Government contractors.
Recruitment referrals to skilled, security-cleared Government & Defence-ready personnel.
Employment Suitability Checks
The mandatory first step for DISP compliance.
Employment Suitability Checks aren’t optional for DISP members – they are a requirement under the PSPF. Every new staff member must undertake pre-employment screening in alignment with AS4811:2022.
- Non-negotiable obligation – DISP mandates risk-based screening before any security clearance nomination to AGSVA for sponsorship can be initiated.
- Confidence in your workforce – Beyond Defence roles, ESCs strengthen internal governance and reduce hiring risk.
- Risk-based approach – Screening depth is aligned to the sensitivity of each role.
- Audit-ready – Clear, documented results for DISP annual reports, client assurance, and Defence audits.
Learn more about our Employment Suitability Check services.
Security Clearance Sponsorship
A Security Cleared and Trusted Workforce keeps your projects moving.
For DISP members, a security cleared workforce isn’t just an advantage – it’s essential to deliver Defence contracts. Without security clearances, staff cannot access classified information, facilities, or systems.
- Tender requirements – Many Defence contracts require nominated staff to hold, or be in the process of gaining, Baseline, NV1, or NV2 security clearances.
- Reduce delivery risk – A fully security cleared team prevents costly project delays.
- Flexibility – Having security cleared staff on hand means you can respond faster to new Defence opportunities.
- Scalable growth – Whether reactivating dormant security clearances or upgrading to higher levels, WorkSec ensures your Trusted Workforce is security cleared and contract ready.
Learn more about Security Clearance Sponsorship.
Security Officer as a Service (SOaaS)
Meet your DISP obligations without the overhead.
Even for DISP members who can sponsor their own staff, the governance load can be overwhelming. Compliance with the DSPF & PSPF requires ongoing monitoring, reporting, training, and governance – far beyond initial sponsorship.
- Outsource complexity – We manage through-life security clearance governance, so your managers don’t carry the extra burden.
- Continuous compliance – Security briefings, overseas travel (AB644), security incident reporting (XP188), spot checks & inspections, CoCs, RNIs, ongoing compliance and security awareness training.
- Scalable resourcing – From a handful of staff to hundreds, our team grows with you.
- No-gap-in-service – 7-day support means no risk of missed obligations.
Learn more about Security Officer as a Service.
Cleared Talent Referrals
Access security cleared professionals when you need them.
Defence projects often move faster than the security clearance application process does.
WorkSec’s security cleared talent pool of trusted insiders provides DISP members with immediate access to security-cleared specialists.
- Pre-vetted workforce – Candidates with Baseline, NV1, and NV2 security clearances across technical, project, and support roles.
- Faster onboarding – Reduce delays by hiring staff who are already security cleared.
- Trusted compliance – Every referral meets Defence and Government security standards.
- Bridge the gap – Scale quickly for tenders or surge projects without waiting for new security clearances.
Learn more about Cleared Talent Referrals.
Why WorkSec
Why Trust WorkSec with your DISP Personnel Security Obligations?
End-to-End DISP Compliance
From ESCs to clearances and governance, we manage every DISP personnel security requirement with no gaps.
Scalable Workforce Solutions
Grow from 5 to 500 security cleared staff with flexible security officers and trusted talent referrals.
DISP-Level Expertise
As a DISP Level 3 provider, we’ve supported hundreds of organisations and thousands of security clearance holders.
Always Audit-Ready
Our systems and oversight ensure your DISP records are accurate, accessible, and ready for inspection anytime.
Ready to Strengthen Your DISP Compliance?
WorkSec helps DISP members stay compliant, manage their Trusted Workforce, and scale quickly when opportunities arise. From ESCs to governance, sponsorship and referrals, we provide the expertise you need to keep your business Defence-ready.
