Privacy

The Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) operates in line with the privacy principles set out in the:

• Privacy Act 1988
• Freedom of Information Act 1982
• Defence Privacy Policy
• Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework

Personal information is only used to fulfil security vetting clearance functions for the Australian Government. Information from applicants and external sources is used to assess security clearance suitability.

Information collected

For initial security clearance assessment AGSVA will collect information to:

• Verify previous Commonwealth, State or Territory employment.
• Verify previous non-government employment.
• Verify residential addresses.
• Verify personal documents.
• Verify any naturalisation or citizenship documents.
• Verify education documents.
• Corroborate any overseas travel with the Department of Home Affairs’ records.
• Verify criminal history.
• Check digital footprint.
• Verify financial circumstances.
• Verify medical status.

AGSVA may collect personal information from:

• Public records and public source information.
• Commonwealth, State or Territory agencies.
• The sponsoring entity and any previous or future sponsoring entity or vetting agency.
• A Government agency investigating breaches of law or of Australian Government policy.
• Current and previous private employers.
• Law enforcement agencies.
• Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
• Financial checking agencies.
• Third parties relevant to the assessment and monitoring of suitability.
• Other vetting service providers.

The higher the clearance level applied for, the more sensitive personal information is required.

The assessment is intrusive by nature. An individual provides consent for their personal information to be used before commencement.

Information use and disclosure

Personal information may only be disclosed when needed and for the purpose it was collected.

AGSVA will engage with other entities and agencies while assessing suitability. This is under the authority of the relevant Acts of Australian Law:

• Section 73A of the Defence Act 1903 (Cth)
• Divisions 90, 91, 122 and 137 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
• Section 13 of the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth)
• Paragraph 488(2)(aa) of the Migration Act 1958.

AGSVA may disclose personal information to:

• Commonwealth, State or Territory agencies, in relation to existing or previous security clearances.
• The sponsoring entity and any previous or future sponsoring entity or vetting agency.
• A Government agency investigating breaches of law or of Australian Government policy.
• Law enforcement agencies.
• Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
• Other vetting service providers.

Where appropriate personal information may be used for:

• security investigations
• verifying requests to access foreign government resources.

Personal information will only be used or disclosed to other parties if:

• Consent has been provided by the applicant.
• It is related to an applicant’s security clearance.
• It is required or authorised by Australian law or a court/tribunal order.
• A permitted general situation exists as defined in Section 16A of the Privacy Act 1988.
• Required for enforcement related activity conducted by, or on behalf of, an enforcement body.