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.
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.