AGSVA Security Clearance: Levels, Fees & Process
The Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) vets and grants security clearances for Defence, Defence industry and most Australian Government agencies.
What is an AGSVA Security Clearance?
An AGSVA security clearance is a formal assessment, made by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency, that you are suitable to access classified government information. The agency is part of the Department of Defence and carries out vetting for most Australian Government agencies, Defence and Defence industry.
AGSVA vets three clearance levels: Baseline, Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) and Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2). The level you need depends on the highest classification of information your role, project or contract requires you to access.
The highest level, Top Secret-Privileged Access (TS-PA), has replaced Positive Vetting (PV). TS-PA clearances are vetted by a separate authority within ASIO, not by AGSVA.
It does not accept applications from individuals. Every clearance starts with a sponsor, such as an Australian Government agency, a DISP-accredited employer, or an accredited sponsoring organisation like AusClear.
AGSVA and Your Sponsor
Three parties are involved in every clearance, and each has a different job:
AGSVA
Runs the vetting. It checks your background, may interview you, and decides whether to grant, deny or cancel your clearance.
Your Sponsor
Confirms the business need, asks for your clearance to be started, and stays responsible for it while you hold it. AusClear is an accredited sponsor.
You
Complete your application in the myClearance portal, answer honestly, and report changes in your circumstances for as long as you hold a clearance.
AGSVA Security Clearance Levels
Each level allows access to a higher classification and involves deeper checks:
| Clearance | Access up to | Revalidation | Fee (incl. GST) | Sponsored by AusClear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | PROTECTED | 15 years | $892.00 | Yes |
| NV1 (Negative Vetting Level 1) | SECRET | 10 years | $1,897.01 | Yes |
| NV2 (Negative Vetting Level 2) | TOP SECRET | 5 to 7 years | $3,790.00 | Yes |
These fees apply to assessments, upgrades and revalidations started on or after 1 July 2026.
The AGSVA Application Process
Whatever the level, an AGSVA security clearance follows the same pathway:
Business Need and Sponsor
Your sponsor confirms there is a genuine business need for the clearance level you require.
Pre-Application Checks
Your sponsor completes the required identity, police and employment history checks before the application is lodged.
Sponsorship Request
Your sponsor asks the agency to start your clearance, which gives you access to the myClearance portal, usually within 5–10 business days.
Your Application
You complete your security questionnaire in myClearance and upload your documents, usually within 20 business days.
Vetting
The agency checks your background, referees and records. Higher levels involve more checks and often an interview.
Decision and Ongoing Obligations
The agency makes its decision and your sponsor tells you the outcome. From then on you must report changes in your circumstances.
AGSVA Fees
The agency sets its own fees, and they include GST. Your employer usually pays them when the clearance is for a role.
| Process | Fee (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Baseline assessment, upgrade and revalidation | $892.00 |
| NV1 assessment, upgrade and revalidation | $1,897.01 |
| NV2 assessment, upgrade and revalidation | $3,790.00 |
| Baseline cancellation | $446.00 |
| NV1 cancellation | $949.00 |
| NV2 cancellation | $1,895.00 |
These are government fees only. A sponsoring organisation's own fees are separate, so always ask for a full breakdown before you sign up.
AGSVA Processing Times
From the sponsorship request to the decision, these are the usual timeframes:
| Clearance | Typical processing |
|---|---|
| Baseline | About 20 business days |
| NV1 | 3–4 months |
| NV2 | 5–6 months |
These are estimates. Missing information, overseas history and the agency's workload can all add time.
Keeping Your Clearance
Your clearance stays valid only while you keep meeting your obligations. You must tell your sponsor about changes in your circumstances, such as a new partner, a change of name, significant financial changes or overseas travel. Each clearance is revalidated at the end of its period.
If you leave your sponsor, your clearance does not end on its own. A new sponsor can register its interest in your existing clearance, so you keep it without starting again.
Your AusClear Connect™
Every AusClear-sponsored client gets AusClear Connect™, Australia's first dedicated security clearance platform. It is your secure home for your clearance, from application through to ongoing sponsorship and aftercare.
Real-Time Status Tracking
Follow your clearance through every stage, from sponsorship request to AGSVA decision, with live progress and an estimated finish date in business days.
Milestone Alerts
Get a notification as soon as your clearance moves to a new stage, such as application issued, vetting started or decision pending, so you always know where things stand.
Biometric Authentication
Sign in with Face ID, Touch ID or your fingerprint, plus multi-factor authentication, so your clearance details stay protected.
Overseas Travel Reporting
Tell us about overseas travel through the portal. Each notice is logged against your clearance record, which helps you meet your aftercare obligations.
Secure Messaging
Direct two-way encrypted messaging with the AusClear sponsorship team. No more chasing emails — every conversation is captured in one place, against your clearance record.
Document Management
See key dates, alerts and your clearance history in one secure place, from any device.
AusClear Connect™ is separate from AGSVA's myClearance portal. myClearance is where you complete your vetting questionnaire. AusClear Connect™ is where you deal with us, your accredited sponsor, for as long as you hold your clearance.
AGSVA Security Clearance: Common Questions
What is AGSVA?
AGSVA is the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency. It is part of the Department of Defence and vets and grants security clearances for most Australian Government agencies, Defence and Defence industry.
Can I apply to AGSVA directly?
No. It only accepts applications from a sponsor: an Australian Government agency, a DISP-accredited employer or an accredited sponsoring organisation such as AusClear. You also need a genuine business need for the level you are applying for.
How long does AGSVA take to process a clearance?
Usually about 20 business days for Baseline, 3–4 months for NV1 and 5–6 months for NV2, from the sponsorship request to the decision.
How do I check my AGSVA clearance status?
Ask your sponsor, who deals with the agency on your behalf. AusClear-sponsored clients can see the progress of their clearance in AusClear Connect.
What is myClearance?
myClearance is AGSVA's online portal. Once your sponsor has asked for your clearance to start, you use it to complete your security questionnaire and upload your documents.
How much does an AGSVA security clearance cost?
From 1 July 2026, the agency charges $892.00 for Baseline, $1,897.01 for NV1 and $3,790.00 for NV2, all GST inclusive. A sponsor's own fees are on top of these.
What happened to Positive Vetting (PV)?
Positive Vetting has been replaced by Top Secret-Privileged Access (TS-PA), which is vetted by the TS-PA Vetting Authority within ASIO rather than AGSVA. Existing PV holders move to TS-PA when their clearance is revalidated. AusClear sponsors Baseline, NV1 and NV2 clearances.
Read More About AGSVA Clearances
Each clearance level has its own guide, and our support site covers AGSVA in more detail.
Conclusion
An AGSVA security clearance opens the door to Defence, Defence industry and government work, but it always starts with a sponsor and a genuine business need. AusClear is an accredited sponsor for Baseline, NV1 and NV2 clearances and can guide you through each step of the process.