Tech standards security clearance program guidelines

We sponsor and fund Australian Government security clearances for experts involved in international technical standards setting in critical technologies.

This is part of a government goal to:

• support industry-led, consensus-based approaches to develop standards
• increase Australia’s influence in the design and use of technology standards globally
• ensure that critical technologies evolve in ways that align with our national interests and values.

The program will give Australian experts access to security classified information. This will support their role to develop international technical standards for critical technologies. The program also helps promote greater engagement between industry and government.

Important information about the program

A person who holds a government security clearance has important legal responsibilities. They are subject to laws about disclosing Commonwealth information, and associated penalties. These include sections of the Crimes Act 1914 and the Criminal Code Act 1995. 

Don't take the decision to apply for a security clearance lightly. The security clearance process involves an initial investigation which is thorough and intrusive. The process can take many months to complete. We give no commitment to timelines for any aspect of the assessment, screening and security clearance processes.

If the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) grants you a security clearance, we may contact you to give briefings at appropriate times. We'll liaise with you on the method and logistics of briefing. If you hold a clearance, this doesn’t guarantee access to information. The owners of the information will decide if a person needs to receive security-classified information. 

We will typically fund Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) level clearances, which are valid for 10 years. We have funding until June 2026 to give security clearances. We will only sponsor and fund one security clearance or renewal, not future renewals.

There are ongoing reporting requirements for clearance holders and lifelong obligations to protect information received under this program.

Our sponsorship of the security clearance will stop if you:

• no longer sit on a relevant committee
• become ineligible to hold a clearance for any other reason.

The List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest

Critical technologies are current and emerging technologies with the power to significantly improve or pose risk to Australia’s national interest, including our:

• economic prosperity
• national security 
• social cohesion.

In 2023, the government released its Critical Technologies Statement and updated List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest. The list outlines technology fields that will have a high impact on Australia’s national interests and align with government priorities or strategic needs. The list intends to guide future policy decision-making. 

The 7 key enabling technology fields are:

• advanced manufacturing and materials technologies
• artificial intelligence (AI) technologies
• advanced information and communication technologies
• quantum technologies
• autonomous systems, robotics, positioning, timing and sensing
• biotechnologies
• clean energy generation and storage technologies. 

Role of international technical standards

Standards are voluntary specifications, procedures and guidelines that help develop and shape new technologies. International technical standards:

• make sure technology products, services and systems are safe, consistent, trusted and reliable 
• make trade easier
• open up new markets for Australian products and services that meet these standards. 

The government wants international standards for critical technologies to reflect Australia’s values, innovations and expertise. 

Eligibility criteria

We will assess who is eligible for the security clearance program through the following criteria:

• People based in Australia participating in a Standards Development Organisation (SDO) committee (or similar group) that engages in setting international technical standards. The committee must set standards in at least one of the 7 critical technology fields in the List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest.
• Applicants must have a business case showing how they take part in an SDO committee in their application.
• Applicants must be Australian citizens.
• Applicants must know and agree to their ongoing obligations as a clearance holder, as outlined in this document.

Assessment criteria

We have full discretion to decide whether to approve an application. We base this decision on an assessment of the applicant’s field of expertise, involvement in standardisation activities and any other relevant factors. 

We will approve who takes part in this program on:

• assessment by us that there is a need for a security clearance
• available program funding
• individual eligibility as outlined above
• a priority scale:
  • priority level 1: committee chairperson and international representative
  • priority level 2: any other committee member. 

Application and assessment process

Submit your application through our online form to join the program. We will review your application against the assessment criteria and will contact you of the status of your application.

Preliminary screening

If we approve your application, our Personnel Security Team (PST) will then contact you about a preliminary screening through our online portal. We need the following information and forms at this stage: 

• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check: Application and informed consent form. You need to submit a minimum of 4 certified identity documents with this form. 
• Pre-Employment Suitability Assessment (PESA) pack:
  • Security Questionnaire (Online form)
  • Completed Official Secrets Acknowledgement
  • Security Clearance Privacy Statement
  • Completed Privacy Consent Form.

Outcome of preliminary screening

PST will inform you of the outcome of the preliminary screening process. If successful, you will progress to the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) security clearance process. AGSVA will contact applicants with instructions and next steps.

Security clearance process

We expect most clearances granted will be to NV1 level, but we may consider other clearance levels as well. 

AGSVA will assess an applicant’s eligibility and suitability for holding a security clearance. 

To be eligible for a government security clearance, a person must:

• be an Australian citizenship
• have a checkable background.

The purpose of the security vetting process is to find out if a person shows the correct level of integrity to hold a security clearance. The security context defines integrity as a range of character traits that indicate the person can protect government information. These character traits are:

• honesty
• trustworthiness
• maturity
• tolerance
• resilience
• loyalty.

Personnel security checks

AGSVA conducts the following external checks as part of the vetting assessment process: