From January 1, 2015 the Department will commence charging industry providers and contractors for security vetting services.
The decision aligns the Department of Defence with other government departments who already charge industry and has been noted by the Minister for Defence.
The Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) government customers are charged for security vetting services, and a number in turn then pass the cost on to industry. Defence currently provides vetting services to industry at no charge.
It is estimated that around 16 percent of all security clearances managed by the AGSVA are Defence Industry Security Program clearances.
Defence can no longer afford to absorb industry security vetting costs.
The charges will apply to all industry providers and contractors who provide services, advice and support to Defence, and who require a security clearance to do so.
The fees industry will be charged are the same as those currently incurred by AGSVA’s government customers. Click here for a list of the current prices.
Fees will be charged for:
- new security clearances
- upgrades
- revalidations and re-evaluations, and
- cancellations
Cancellation fees will only apply once an electronic vetting pack has been submitted by a clearance subject.
AGSVA will identify and bill industry customers directly.
AGSVA has been tasked by the Secretary to oversee this transition, and will be working with both Defence stakeholders and Defence’s industry partners to ensure a transparent and as seamless as possible transition.
Further information regarding this change can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/IndustrySecurityVettingFAQ.pdf