Obtaining a security clearance is essential for professionals working in government, defence, and related industries across Australia. The Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) manages the vetting process, ensuring individuals requiring access to classified information meet strict security standards. This comprehensive guide breaks down AGSVA's fee structure and associated clearance sponsor fees, explaining the complete cost of obtaining and maintaining a security clearance.
AGSVA administers three primary levels of security clearances, each corresponding to different classifications of information:
Baseline Clearance Required for positions involving access to classified information up to and including PROTECTED level. This is the foundation level clearance suitable for roles with limited exposure to sensitive government information.
Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) Required for access to SECRET level information. This clearance involves a more thorough vetting process, including detailed background checks and character assessments. NV1 is necessary for positions requiring regular access to sensitive defence and government materials.
Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) Required for access to TOP SECRET and TOP SECRET SENSITIVE information. NV2 represents the most rigorous vetting process, involving extensive background investigations, detailed interviews, and comprehensive reference checks. This clearance is reserved for positions with the highest security responsibilities.
AGSVA charges vetting fees to cover the comprehensive background checks, interviews, assessments, and administrative processing required to evaluate an applicant's suitability for clearance. The fees reflect the complexity and depth of investigation required at each level:
Baseline Clearance: $884 This fee covers basic background checks, identity verification, criminal history checks, and assessment of an applicant's suitability for PROTECTED level access.
NV1 Clearance: $1,355 This fee covers extensive background investigations, detailed employment verification, comprehensive reference checks, financial assessments, and interviews with the applicant and nominated referees.
NV2 Clearance: $2,486 This fee covers the most thorough vetting process, including exhaustive background investigations, extensive interviews, detailed financial assessments, comprehensive character evaluations, foreign contact verification, and in-depth lifestyle assessments.
If an applicant withdraws their clearance application after submission, AGSVA charges a cancellation fee. This fee covers costs already incurred during the initial stages of the vetting process, including preliminary checks, administrative processing, and any investigations commenced prior to cancellation:
Baseline Clearance Cancellation: $442
NV1 Clearance Cancellation: $678
NV2 Clearance Cancellation: $1,243
Cancellation fees represent approximately 50% of the full vetting fee, reflecting the work already undertaken by AGSVA before the application was withdrawn.
AGSVA fees operate on a post-completion payment model, providing applicants with financial flexibility during the vetting process:
Payment Timing AGSVA fees are not payable until the clearance process is complete and a determination has been made. Once your clearance is granted, AGSVA issues an invoice directly to the sponsoring organisation.
Payment Period Invoices are typically payable within 30 days of issue. Prompt payment is essential to avoid administrative complications that could affect your clearance status.
Important Considerations Failure to settle AGSVA invoices within the specified timeframe may result in suspension or revocation of the granted clearance. It is crucial that payment arrangements are confirmed before commencing the vetting process.
AGSVA's vetting fees are structured to reflect the level of investigation required:
Baseline Vetting ($884) The baseline vetting process includes verification of identity, Australian citizenship or eligibility, criminal history checks through Australian police databases, employment history verification for the past five years, character references, and assessment of any security concerns that may affect suitability for PROTECTED access.
NV1 Vetting ($1,355) NV1 vetting significantly expands upon baseline checks to include detailed financial assessments, comprehensive employment verification extending further back in time, in-depth interviews with the applicant, contact with multiple referees who can attest to character and reliability, verification of foreign travel and contacts, assessment of vulnerability to coercion or exploitation, and evaluation of lifestyle factors that may present security risks.
NV2 Vetting ($2,486) NV2 represents the most comprehensive vetting available in Australia. The process includes all NV1 elements plus exhaustive financial investigations, extensive interviews with the applicant spanning multiple sessions, detailed contact with numerous personal and professional references, thorough investigation of foreign connections and interests, psychological assessments where warranted, comprehensive lifestyle analysis, and ongoing assessment of factors that could compromise TOP SECRET access.
Several factors can affect the vetting process, though they do not typically result in additional fees beyond the standard AGSVA charges:
Background Complexity Applicants with extensive international travel history, significant foreign contacts, complex employment histories, previous financial difficulties, or prior security incidents may experience longer processing times as AGSVA conducts more detailed investigations. However, the vetting fee remains the same regardless of complexity.
Clearance Level Higher clearance levels require progressively more thorough investigations. The substantial difference in fees between Baseline ($884), NV1 ($1,355), and NV2 ($2,486) reflects the exponentially greater investigative work required.
Applicant Cooperation Timely provision of accurate information, availability for interviews, and cooperation with the vetting process help ensure smooth processing without delays. Incomplete or inaccurate information can extend timelines significantly.
Referee Availability AGSVA requires contact with nominated referees. Referees who are difficult to contact or who provide limited information may necessitate additional referee contacts, extending the vetting timeline.
Understanding typical processing timeframes helps in planning both financially and professionally:
Baseline Clearance Typical processing time: 2-4 months Standard timeframe for straightforward applications with minimal complexity in background history.
NV1 Clearance Typical processing time: 6-9 months Extended timeline due to comprehensive reference checks, detailed interviews, and financial assessments.
NV2 Clearance Typical processing time: 12-18 months Longest timeline reflecting the exhaustive investigation process, multiple interview sessions, and extensive background verification.
These timeframes are estimates only and can vary significantly based on individual circumstances, AGSVA workload, applicant responsiveness, and the complexity of background investigations required.
All AGSVA security clearances must be sponsored by an organisation that holds current AGSVA accreditation. Individuals cannot apply for security clearances independently. The sponsoring organisation:
Must hold current DISP (Defence Industry Security Program) accreditation or equivalent government security accreditation
Must have a legitimate business need for the applicant to hold the requested clearance level
Accepts responsibility for the clearance holder's ongoing compliance with security requirements
Provides appropriate security governance, oversight, and reporting
Submits the clearance application to AGSVA on the applicant's behalf
Receives and pays AGSVA invoices once clearances are granted
In most cases, the sponsoring organisation pays AGSVA fees. However, payment responsibility varies:
Direct Employment When an individual is directly employed by an organisation requiring clearance, the employer typically pays all AGSVA fees as a cost of employing security-cleared personnel.
Contractor Arrangements For contractors and consultants, payment arrangements vary by contract. Some organisations cover all clearance costs, while others may require the contractor to bear some or all expenses.
Prospective Employment Individuals seeking clearance before securing employment may need to arrange private sponsorship through accredited third-party sponsors, who may require the applicant to pay AGSVA fees.
Career Transitions When transferring clearances between employers, the new sponsoring organisation typically assumes responsibility for any fees associated with clearance transfer or renewal.
In addition to AGSVA's vetting fees, applicants working through clearance sponsors may incur additional fees for sponsorship services:
Clearance Sponsor Application Fee This fee covers the sponsor's administrative costs for processing and submitting your security clearance application to AGSVA, including document preparation, verification, and liaison throughout the vetting process.
Identity Verification and National Police Check Fee Before submission to AGSVA, applicants must complete 100-point identity verification and obtain a national police check. This fee covers the cost of these mandatory pre-vetting requirements.
Sponsorship Arrangement Fee For individuals not directly employed by an AGSVA-accredited organisation, clearance sponsors charge a fee to facilitate the sponsorship arrangement, covering the governance and administrative responsibilities of maintaining your clearance on their books.
Annual Maintenance Fee Security clearances require ongoing sponsorship by an AGSVA-accredited organisation. Sponsors typically charge an annual maintenance fee to cover continued governance, compliance monitoring, and administrative support required to keep your clearance active and in good standing.
These fees vary between different clearance sponsors and depend on the level of service provided, the clearance level required, and your employment circumstances.
Once granted, security clearances remain valid under specific conditions:
Active Sponsorship Clearances remain valid only while actively sponsored by an AGSVA-accredited organisation. Loss of sponsorship results in clearance lapsing.
Continuous Employment For employment-based clearances, the clearance remains valid throughout continuous employment with the sponsoring organisation.
Clearance Transfer Clearances can be transferred between accredited sponsors, allowing individuals to change employers while maintaining clearance validity. Transfer must occur before separation from the current sponsor to avoid clearance lapse.
Renewal Requirements Baseline clearances have no fixed expiry but require reassessment if there are breaks in employment or changes in circumstances. NV1 clearances require renewal every 7 years. NV2 clearances require renewal every 5 years. Renewal involves a fresh vetting process and new AGSVA fees.
Financial Planning Budget for both AGSVA vetting fees and potential clearance sponsor fees when planning your clearance application. In most employment situations, the sponsoring organisation covers these costs, but independent applicants may need to pay sponsor fees directly. Confirm payment responsibility before commencing the vetting process.
Employment Discussions If seeking clearance for employment purposes, discuss fee responsibility with prospective employers early in the recruitment process. Clarify whether the organisation covers AGSVA fees, clearance sponsor fees, under what conditions, and whether reimbursement applies if you pay initially.
Timing Considerations Begin the clearance process well in advance of when clearance is required. Vetting timelines can extend significantly, particularly for NV1 and NV2 clearances.
Accuracy and Honesty Provide complete and accurate information throughout the vetting process. Inaccurate or incomplete information can result in clearance denial and forfeiture of AGSVA fees paid.
Clearance Maintenance Understand your obligations once cleared, including reporting requirements for foreign travel, financial changes, and other circumstances that could affect your clearance.
AGSVA vetting fees reflect the thorough investigative work required to assess suitability for access to classified information at each clearance level. While fees range from $884 for Baseline to $2,486 for NV2 clearance, these costs are typically borne by sponsoring organisations rather than individual applicants.
Understanding AGSVA's fee structure, processing timelines, and sponsorship requirements enables informed decision-making about security clearance applications. Whether pursuing Baseline, NV1, or NV2 clearance, proper planning and understanding of the financial and procedural commitments involved will help ensure successful navigation of the vetting process.
For those embarking on careers in defence, government, and related sectors, security clearance represents an essential professional qualification. The investment in thorough vetting protects Australia's national security interests while enabling cleared individuals to access the sensitive information necessary to perform their roles effectively.