NV1 Security Clearance
An NV1 (Negative Vetting Level 1) security clearance lets you access information classified up to SECRET in the Australian Government and approved organisations.
What is an NV1 Clearance?
NV1 is a formal security assessment carried out by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). It gives you access to information and resources classified as SECRET.
You need NV1 if your role regularly involves sensitive or classified information that must not be made public, and where a leak could seriously harm national security. It calls for more trust and checking than a Baseline clearance.
Australian Government departments and agencies, and approved companies working on government contracts, require it for these roles. Holding NV1 shows AGSVA has carefully assessed you and found you suitable.
Business Need for an NV1 Clearance
AusClear can only sponsor NV1 when there is a genuine and supportable business need: a real role, project, contract, subcontract or tender that requires you to hold NV1. NV1 is not a qualification to improve your job prospects, and wanting it so you can apply for NV1 jobs is not a business need.
Counts as a Business Need
A current or confirmed role, a Defence industry or Australian Government contract or subcontract, or a known tender that requires NV1.
Does Not Count
Recruiters advising that NV1 would help, or wanting NV1 for future job opportunities.
What We Will Ask For
Your employer or the organisation engaging you, your position, and the project or contract. Contractors and self-employed people need a business need letter from the organisation engaging them.
If your work only needs Baseline, Baseline is the right clearance. If an NV1 requirement comes up later, an upgrade can be assessed at that time.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for NV1, you must meet these basic AGSVA requirements:
Australian Citizenship
Required. You must be an Australian citizen, and this will be checked carefully.
Checkable Background
You need a full personal history for the last 10 years that can be checked.
Formal Sponsorship
You must be sponsored by an Australian Government department or an approved organisation. You cannot apply on your own.
Pre-Application Employment Screening
Before your NV1 application goes to AGSVA, you usually need to complete an Employment Screening Check. It helps confirm you are suitable to work in a sensitive role, and usually includes:
100-Point Identification Check
Confirms your identity based on official Australian documents.
National Police Clearance
Reviews your criminal history across all Australian jurisdictions.
Right to Work Verification
Confirms you have the right to work in Australia.
Your employer or sponsor makes sure these checks are complete before asking AGSVA to start your clearance.
Essential Documents for Your NV1 Application
Getting your documents ready early makes your NV1 application much smoother. You will usually need documents that confirm your identity, background and circumstances:
Identity & Citizenship
Your full birth certificate (showing your parents' details), your Australian citizenship certificate if you were born overseas, and current photo ID such as a driver's licence or passport.
Background History
Your work history, address history and overseas travel for the last 10 years, with exact dates (and countries for travel).
Financial & Character
Details of your finances, such as large debts and loans, and contact details for your referees (personal, work and overseas, where needed).
Make sure everything is current and correct to avoid delays.
The NV1 Application Process Explained
The application for an NV1 Security Clearance follows a defined pathway:
Sponsorship Request
Your employer or sponsor asks AGSVA to start your clearance.
Portal Access
You gain access to the myClearance portal. Typical timeframe: 5–10 business days from the sponsorship request.
Applicant Submission
You complete the application form and upload all required documents. Timeframe: 20 business days from access being granted.
AGSVA Vetting
AGSVA carries out detailed background checks and may interview you. This usually takes about 70 business days.
Decision & Notification
AGSVA makes a decision, and your employer or sponsor tells you the outcome.
Transparency and accuracy throughout this process are key to a successful outcome. The overall process generally takes 3–4 months.
Pricing for NV1 Security Clearance
AGSVA sets the fee for an NV1 clearance, and it includes GST. Who pays it, and whether there are other costs, depends on your situation.
The following scenarios outline the typical cost responsibilities:
DISP-Accredited Organisations
Organisations with Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) accreditation that sponsor their own staff pay the AGSVA fee. They manage the clearance themselves, so there are no extra management fees.
Organisations Using a Sponsoring Organisation
An organisation without DISP accreditation that uses an outside sponsor pays everything: the AGSVA fee plus the sponsor's own fees, which can vary a lot.
Individuals Sponsored by an Employer
If you need the clearance for a job, your employer usually pays all costs, including the AGSVA fee, because the role requires it.
Individuals Directly Engaging a Sponsor
If you go to an outside sponsor yourself, you pay everything: the AGSVA fee, the sponsor's fees and any other costs.
Key considerations:
Sponsoring Organisation Fees
These are separate from AGSVA's fee. Sponsors are private businesses that charge for their own services. Always ask for a full breakdown of fees before you sign up.
Background Check Costs
Costs for the required pre-application checks, such as police and identity checks, are usually paid by whoever pays the AGSVA fee.
Applicant Time & Effort
Whoever pays, you should expect to spend a fair amount of time gathering documents and filling in the application carefully.
Typical Waiting Times for NV1
Knowing how long NV1 takes helps you plan. The process usually has these stages:
AGSVA Application Issuance
About 5–10 business days for AGSVA to send you the application once your sponsorship request is processed.
Applicant Submission Window
You usually have 20 business days to complete and submit your application and documents in the myClearance portal. It is best not to leave it to the last minute.
AGSVA Vetting Process
AGSVA's vetting usually takes about 70 business days, but it can take longer depending on how complex your case is, how busy AGSVA is and how quickly you reply.
On average, the whole NV1 process, from sponsorship request to decision, takes about 3–4 months. These are estimates, and your own circumstances or AGSVA's workload can change them.
What Happens if Your NV1 Clearance is Delayed or Denied?
NV1 clearances can be delayed or refused for several reasons. The most common are missing or wrong information, problems found in your background check (such as undeclared money problems or a criminal history), and slow replies from your referees.
If your clearance is refused, you will usually be given the reasons. You can then ask for the decision to be reviewed, and your employer or sponsor can help you through the appeal process.
Maintaining Your NV1 Security Clearance
Once granted, NV1 usually lasts 10 years unless it is cancelled or you need a higher level. While you hold it, you must tell AGSVA about big changes in your life, such as changes to your finances, important relationships, long overseas trips or any police involvement.
AGSVA may check your suitability during the 10 years to make sure you still meet the requirements. Meeting these obligations is essential to keep your NV1 clearance.
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.
Conclusion
Getting NV1 is an important step if your role involves sensitive government information up to SECRET. If you understand the rules, prepare your documents carefully, follow each step and know the costs and timeframes, you give yourself the best chance of success.
This guide is here to help you approach each step of your NV1 clearance with confidence.