Classification levels
Under the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework, individuals who need access to security classified resources must hold a security clearance. This includes classified information, systems that hold classified information, and classified assets.
An individual may also be required to hold a security clearance if they occupy a position of trust that requires additional assurance.
A security clearance is not required to access information that does not have a security classification, including Official or Official: Sensitive information.
Security clearance levels
There are 4 levels of security clearances:
- Baseline – permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including Protected.
- Negative Vetting 1 – permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including Secret, and temporary access to Top Secret classified resources in certain circumstances.
- Negative Vetting 2 – permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including Top Secret.
- Positive Vetting – permits ongoing access to classified resources up to and including Top Secret, including some caveated resources.
- Top Secret-Privileged Access (TS-PA) – will eventually replace the current Positive Vetting security clearance level and will be managed by the Australian Security Intelligence Agency – TS-PA Vetting Authority.
Security vetting
The purpose of security vetting is to determine whether an individual is suitable to hold a security clearance, that is, whether they possess and demonstrate an appropriate level of integrity.
In the security context, integrity is defined as a range of character traits that indicate the individual is able to protect Australian Government classified resources. These character traits are:
- honesty
- trustworthiness
- maturity
- tolerance
- resilience
- loyalty.
The security vetting of an individual establishes confidence that they possess a sound and stable character, and they are not unduly vulnerable to influence or coercion.