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Contractor guide
Many Australian government contract roles ask for a Baseline, NV1 or NV2 clearance and Australian citizenship. Here is what each level means, who sponsors it and how it affects your next contract.
| Clearance | Access up to | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline | PROTECTED information | Many federal government contract roles |
| NV1 (Negative Vetting Level 1) | SECRET information | Defence and national security work |
| NV2 (Negative Vetting Level 2) | TOP SECRET information | More sensitive defence and national security work |
| PV (Positive Vetting) | TOP SECRET and certain caveated information | A small number of highly sensitive roles |
Federal departments, mostly in Canberra but also in every state capital, hire many contractors through recruitment agencies on government panels. A large share of these roles need a clearance, or the ability to obtain one, before you can start. A current clearance lets you start sooner, which is why recruiters put it in the first line of their posts.
Baseline is the entry level clearance and the one most often asked for in federal contract roles, from business analysts and project managers to developers and service desk staff.
Negative Vetting Level 1 and Level 2 involve deeper checks and are common in defence, national security and some central agencies. Roles that need them usually pay more because fewer contractors hold them.
Clearances are normally only granted to Australian citizens. Permanent residents and other visa holders should read the requirements of each role carefully before applying.
Government contract roles often state an APS classification such as APS5 or APS6, or an Executive Level such as EL1, to signal the seniority expected. It is a guide to responsibility, not a salary: contractors are paid a day rate set with the agency.
This guide gives general information based on public sources. The rules are set by the Australian Government and can change: always check the requirements stated in each role and with the sponsoring agency.
See the latest government contract rolesCan I apply for a security clearance myself?
No. A clearance has to be sponsored by a government agency or by a company that is a member of the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP), for a role that needs it. When a role says "must be able to obtain" a clearance, the client sponsors it once you are selected.
Do I need to be an Australian citizen?
Normally yes. Australian citizenship is a standard requirement for a clearance, and a sponsor can ask for a citizenship waiver only in limited cases. This is why so many government contract roles state "Australian citizens only".
Who processes clearances?
Most clearances are processed by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA), part of the Department of Defence. Some intelligence agencies run their own vetting.
Do cleared contractors earn higher day rates?
Usually. Fewer contractors hold an NV1 or NV2 clearance, so roles that need one draw from a smaller pool, and day rates tend to reflect that.
What happens to my clearance between contracts?
A clearance is not tied to a single job. When you move to a new contract that needs one, the new sponsor can usually take it over if it is still valid. You must report relevant changes in your circumstances while you hold it.
