The Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets (SAMS) program entered into force on 6 May 2024.
The program requires all former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Australian Public Service employed with Defence, and Australian Submarine Agency personnel who wish to work for a foreign military or foreign government body to apply for a foreign work authorisation.
SAMS also covers Australian citizens and permanent residents who wish to provide training in military tactics, techniques and procedures or on goods covered by Part 1 of the Defence and Strategic Goods List to apply for an authorisation.
Individuals who require a foreign work authorisation are required to submit their request by 7 August 2024, in line with the commencement of offence provisions in the legislation.
Once a request has been submitted, an individual can continue to perform that work until the outcome of their foreign work authorisation request has been provided to them.
After 7 August 2024, individuals that are already working and continue to work for a foreign military organisation or government body, and have not submitted a foreign work authorisation request, may be committing an offence under the legislation.
More information about the SAMS program can be found here.
This article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Individuals should seek their own legal advice where appropriate.