Security clearance requirements for authority holders

New requirements for security clearances came into effect on 1 February 2020 for authorities relating to security-sensitive explosives.

Transitional provisions may apply if you held a security-sensitive authority as of 1 February 2020. Read below for details. Some authority holders may also be exempt from needing security clearances.

Designated persons

Because security clearances can only be held by individuals, there are designated individuals within companies or partnerships who are required to hold security clearances. See the table below for details.

Designated persons required to hold security clearances

Type of business structure	Who should apply for a security clearance
Individual	Individual
Listed corporation	The nominated 'responsible person'
Other corporations	Each executive officer residing in Australia
Partnerships	Each partner

When to apply for a security clearance

The timeline to apply for a security clearance depends on whether you had lodged an application or held a security-sensitive authority before 1 February 2020. See the tables below for details.

New licence and permit applications

Date applied	What you need to do
Submitted on or after 1 February 2020	You need to apply for a security clearance when you lodge your application
Submitted before 1 February 2020, but not yet decided	You don't need a security clearance for this application* If your licence is issued for 5 years, you'll need a security clearance before you apply to renew it If your licence is issued for 1 year or 3 years, you are allowed one renewal without a security clearance. After that, you'll need to a security clearance before you can renew it again or by 1 February 2025, whichever comes first.

*Your application will be assessed under former provisions of the Explosives Act 1999, ss. 15–16. These provisions allow us to consider such things as your mental and physical health, relevant convictions and domestic violence orders when assessing whether you are an appropriate person to hold the authority.

Renewal applications

Date applied	What you need to do
Submitted on or after 1 February 2020	You don't need a security clearance for this application You'll need a security clearance before you apply to renew it again or by 1 February 2025, whichever comes first.
Submitted before 1 February 2020, but not yet decided	You don't need a security clearance for this application* If your licence renewal is issued for 5 years, you'll need a security clearance by 1 February 2025 to continue to hold the licence If your licence renewal is for 1 year or 3 years, you can renew the licence once more without a security clearance. After that, you'll need a security clearance before you renew it the next time or by 1 February 2025, whichever comes first.

Date applied

What you need to do

Submitted on or after 1 February 2020

You don't need a security clearance for this application
You'll need a security clearance before you apply to renew it again or by 1 February 2025, whichever comes first.

Submitted before 1 February 2020, but not yet decided

You don't need a security clearance for this application*
If your licence renewal is issued for 5 years, you'll need a security clearance by 1 February 2025 to continue to hold the licence
If your licence renewal is for 1 year or 3 years, you can renew the licence once more without a security clearance. After that, you'll need a security clearance before you renew it the next time or by 1 February 2025, whichever comes first.

Existing licences and permits

Date applied	What you need to do
N/A	You don't need to apply for a security clearance now You are also allowed to renew a licence once without applying for a security clearance After that, you'll need a security clearance before you apply to renew it the next time or by 1 February 2025, whichever comes first.

Also consider…

Find out more about the transitional arrangements for security clearances.

Last reviewed: 15 Jan 2020
Last updated: 15 Jan 2020