The four levels
The timeframes are AGSVA's targets, and the clock starts only when your clearance pack is assessed as complete. Complex histories, overseas residence and missing documents take longer.
| Level | Access up to | AGSVA target timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline | PROTECTED | 20 business days |
| Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) | SECRET | 70 business days |
| Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) | TOP SECRET | 100 business days |
| Positive Vetting (PV) | TOP SECRET, including caveated and codeword information | 180 business days |
Who needs which clearance
- Australian Federal Police: AFP listings ask that applicants can obtain an NV1 clearance.
- Australian Border Force: the BFORT recruit program lists an Employment Suitability Clearance plus an AGSVA clearance.
- ASIO: Australian citizens only, and you must be assessed as suitable to hold a Positive Vetting clearance. ASIO runs its own vetting.
- AGGP Intelligence stream: a TOP SECRET Positive Vetting (Privileged Access) clearance before an offer.
- Defence: most ADF members hold at least a Baseline clearance; many roles need NV1 or higher.
- APS: depends on the role; many policy and corporate jobs in Canberra need Baseline or NV1.
What vetting looks at
The core question is whether you are honest, trustworthy, mature, tolerant, resilient and loyal enough to protect government information. Honesty matters most: a disclosed problem can often be managed, but a hidden one is an integrity concern.
- Identity and citizenship.
- Your history over the vetting period: addresses, employment, education and travel.
- Referees and, for higher levels, interviews.
- Financial history and any financial pressures.
- Criminal history and police records.
- Associations, foreign contacts and foreign interests.
- For Positive Vetting, a much deeper look at your background, including a psychological assessment.
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free AFP Police Recruit practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Citizenship rules
Security clearances are normally only granted to Australian citizens. APS employment itself also requires citizenship unless the agency head waives it under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999. Defence now recruits some permanent residents (from New Zealand, the UK, the US and Canada); they can apply for citizenship after 90 days of service.
How to avoid delays
- Start gathering documents the moment you're told a clearance is needed: ID, citizenship evidence, past addresses with dates, employment history, overseas travel.
- Contact referees early and tell them AGSVA may call.
- Answer every question fully and accurately. Leave no gaps in your history.
- Disclose everything asked about, including debts, offences and foreign contacts.
- Respond quickly to any follow-up request. Each delay on your side pauses the clock.
Keeping your clearance
Clearances are reviewed periodically, and clearance holders must report changes in circumstances (for example a new partner, significant financial changes or new foreign contacts) through their agency. A clearance follows you between agencies if it stays active and the new role is at the same or a lower level.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a security clearance myself?
No. A clearance must be sponsored by an employer for a role that needs one. If a job ad asks for a clearance you don't have, it usually means you must be able to obtain one.
Does a criminal record stop me getting a clearance?
Not automatically. Vetting looks at the whole person, including how long ago something happened and whether you were honest about it. Hiding it is far more damaging.
Can dual citizens get a clearance?
Often yes, but it is assessed case by case, and you will be asked about your foreign ties, passports and travel. Ask the sponsoring agency what applies to your role.
How long does Positive Vetting take?
AGSVA's target is 180 business days once the pack is complete. ASIO runs its own vetting, and its recruitment is known to be long; ASIO says little publicly about its stages.
Official sources
- AGSVA: Applicant timeframes
- AGSVA: Security Clearance Applicant Guide Book (March 2025)
- APSC: Citizenship in the APS
- Australian Border Force: The recruitment process
- Australian Intelligence Community: Intelligence stream
- Defence: ADF recruitment opened to non-citizens (4 June 2024)
Practice tests for these certifications
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Recruit: National Policing and ACT Policing
AFP police officers investigate serious and organised crime, terrorism, cybercrime and fraud against the Commonwealth in National Policing, or police the streets of Canberra in ACT Policing.
Australian Border Force Officer Recruit (BFORT)
Border Force Officers process travellers and cargo, search baggage, detect prohibited goods and enforce customs and immigration law at airports, seaports and mail centres.
ASIO Intelligence Officer (via the Intelligence Development Program)
ASIO intelligence professionals collect and assess information to identify and counter threats such as terrorism, espionage and foreign interference.
ADF Officer Entry (ADFA, RMC Duntroon, Navy and Air Force Officer)
ADF officers lead sailors, soldiers and aviators or serve as specialists such as engineers, pilots, doctors and lawyers.
DFAT Graduate Program (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Policy and Corporate streams)
DFAT graduates spend 18 months in Canberra completing four placements in either the Policy stream (bilateral relations, trade negotiations, development, international security, international law) or the Corporate stream (consular, finance, HR, ICT, security, passports), with training from the Diplomatic Academy.
Australian Government Graduate Program (APS Graduate)
APS graduates start on 12-month programs (some agencies run longer ones) in policy, programs, data, finance, law, digital and other streams, with rotations, formal training and a promotion when they finish.
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. The recruiting agency rules change; confirm with the recruiting agency before you apply.
