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Security clearances
On 1 February 2020, new rules came into effect requiring security clearances for work involving security-sensitive explosives.
The requirements for security clearances apply to holders of security-sensitive authorities and to any of their employees who have unsupervised access to the explosives.
The requirement for security clearances is being implemented in stages, with transitional provisions for existing authority holders and existing employees.
This guide explains the requirements and how they apply to you.
What are security-sensitive explosives?
The requirements for security clearances apply to all holders of security-sensitive authorities and to any of their employees who will have unsupervised access to explosives.
Security-sensitive explosives are defined below.
Classification of explosives
Security-sensitive explosives | Non security-sensitive explosives |
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*Small arms ammunition is defined as ammunition for a shotgun or another firearm with a calibre of no more than 25.4mm or primers (cap type) used for reloading the ammunition.
Also consider…
- Read updates from the Explosives Inspectorate about legislation changes and developments affecting the explosives industry in Queensland.
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 |
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Submitted on or after 1 February 2020 |
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Submitted before 1 February 2020, but not yet decided |
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*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 |
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Submitted on or after 1 February 2020 |
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Submitted before 1 February 2020, but not yet decided |
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*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.
Existing licences and permits
Date applied | What you need to do |
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N/A |
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Also consider…
- Find out more about the transitional arrangements for security clearances.
Requirements for employees of security-sensitive authority holders
New requirements for security clearances came into effect on 1 February 2020 for employees of security-sensitive authority holders who have unsupervised access to explosives.
'Unsupervised access' means they have access to an explosive other than in the presence, and under the direct supervision (i.e. within continuous direction and observation), of a person who holds a security clearance. Find out more about what is meant by unsupervised access.
Transitional provisions may apply to your existing employees (see table below).
Some employees may be exempt from needing security clearances.
Security clearance requirements for employees of security-sensitive authority holders
Employee status | Date | Requirements |
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New employee | Employed after 1 February 2020 |
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Existing employee | Employed before 1 February 2020 |
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Requirements for government magazine access card holders
From 1 February 2020, any person who applies for a new government magazine access card needs to have a security clearance.
Transitional provisions may apply for existing access card holders (see table below).
Security clearance requirements for government magazine access card holders
Government magazine access card holder status | Date | Requirements |
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New applications for a government magazine access card | Application made on or after 1 February 2020 |
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Existing holders of a government magazine access card | Government magazine access card issued before 1 February 2020 |
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Also consider…
Find out more about Queensland Government explosives reserves and security.
Criminal history and security checks for security clearances
When you apply for a security clearance, you must disclose information about your criminal and domestic violence history in Queensland and elsewhere.
We will conduct checks with the Queensland Police Service, other state and national police forces, and security agencies to verify this information. This includes conducting an Australia-wide national criminal history (NCH) check and a politically motivated violence (PMV) check.
We generally consider your criminal history for the past 10 years when assessing your application.
In addition, when assessing your application, we may also consider your mental health, any information indicating a threat to public safety, and any other matters relating to your suitability to hold a clearance.
Refusal of clearance
If there is a current domestic violence order, a police protection notice, or release condition in effect against you, you will not be able to obtain a security clearance.
We may also refuse your application if you have been charged with or convicted of certain offences, or if you provide false or misleading information in your application.
Notifying us of any changes
You are required to tell us about any changes to your criminal history or domestic violence status.
How to apply for a security clearance for security-sensitive explosives
To apply for a security clearance, you'll need to:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have an Australian residential address
- pass the criminal history and suitability checks.
Application process
- Complete the security clearance application form online. You will receive an email confirmation with a QR code*.
- Visit an Australia Post outlet that offers the security clearance card service. Australia Post will verify your ID documents, take your payment, and record your photo and signature. Make sure you bring along:
- the email confirmation with QR code
- your ID documents
- the application fee (see below).
- Once your application is complete, Australia Post will forward it to the Explosives Inspectorate for processing.
*If you did not receive a QR code, follow these instructions before contacting the Explosives Inspectorate:
- search your inbox (including your junk mail) for an email from 'donotreply@identityservices.auspost.com.au' or with the subject line 'Complete your security clearance application in store'
- confirm that your correct email address was used when completing the online form
- ensure your email security is not blocking emails. If you're using a work email, check with your email admin to see if the email was blocked
- if you still have not received the QR code, resubmit the application and wait for a new email
- contact the Explosives Inspectorate if you have not received your email after completing the above steps.
Confidentiality
The information you provide will be treated as confidential. We will not share the information you provide or the results of our security checks with your employer.
Fees
Note: No refunds of the security clearance fee will be given if a security clearance application is refused or if the security clearance is surrendered, suspended or cancelled after it has been given.
All security clearance fees are GST free.
Fees for security clearances
Type | Licence fee and period |
---|---|
New application (5 yrs) | $215.60 |
Renewal | $172.46 |
What happens next
We will conduct security checks and assess your application. This will normally take 20–40 business days depending on:
- your criminal or domestic violence history (if any)
- whether any further information is needed (e.g. about your mental health).
Once we've completed our assessment, we will notify you. If successful, you should receive your security clearance card in about a week.
If your application is refused, you can apply for review of our decision (see below).
Refusal, suspension or cancellation of security clearance
We can refuse, cancel or suspend your security clearance if:
- you provided incorrect or misleading information in your application
- we consider that you are not (or are no longer) a suitable person to continue to hold a security clearance
- you are convicted of, or charged with, an offence that involves
- weapons or explosives-related offences
- violence or threatened violence
- misuse of drugs
- breaking and entering into premises, burglary, robbery, stealing, or receiving stolen property
- fraud, fabricating evidence, perjury, or making a false declaration or statement
We will refuse your application and will immediately cancel or suspend a security clearance if there is a temporary protection order or police protection notice in effect against you, or if you there are release conditions in effect under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012, s. 125.
Right to review of our decision
Immediate suspensions and cancellations related to domestic violence cannot be appealed.
Otherwise, you can apply to have our decision reviewed by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Notifying us of any changes
During the term of your security clearance, you are required to tell us about any changes to your criminal history or domestic violence status. You must also notify us of changes to your name, address or any other circumstances that may affect your suitability to hold a security clearance (e.g. mental health).
Check a security clearance status
To check the status of a security clearance issued under the Explosives Act 1999, use the Queensland Explosives Security Clearance Status (QESC) portal.
Enter details into the QESC portal exactly as they appear on the individual's security clearance:
- first name
- last name
- the QESC card number—include all preceding zeros, for example, 0000XXXXX-01.
For individuals who have a single name only, email the Explosives Inspectorate at qesc@rshq.qld.gov.au to confirm the status of their security clearance.
The About section of the QESC portal has information to help you interpret the results of your search.
Transitional security clearance
The QESC portal will not provide the status of transitional security clearance arrangements that may apply to an explosives authority.
For enquiries relating to transitional security clearances, email the Explosives Inspectorate at qesc@rshq.qld.gov.au.
Mutual recognition and interstate transfers of security clearances
Queensland does not recognise security clearances from other states or territories. This is because we have different requirements, for example, with regards to domestic violence.
To work with security-sensitive explosives in Queensland, you will need to obtain a Queensland security clearance.
Queensland security clearances aren't transferable. Before working in another state, check requirements with the appropriate agency.
Obligations of security clearance holders
You have a number of notification obligations when you hold a security clearance.
Notification of changes to your criminal or domestic violence history
You are required to tell us about any changes to your criminal history or domestic violence status.
This includes if you:
- are convicted or charged with a relevant offence
- are named as a respondent in a domestic violence order or police protection notice
- have domestic violence related release conditions imposed.
If you don't, you could be fined up to 200 penalty units.
The Queensland Police Service is also required to notify us if they become aware of any changes to your criminal or domestic violence history during the term of your security clearance.
Notification of changes to your details and circumstances
You are required to notify the Explosives Inspectorate if:
- your name or address changes
- you become aware of another change in circumstances that affects your suitability to continue to hold a security clearance (e.g. a change in your mental health).
Reporting loss, destruction, theft of a security clearance
You must notify the Explosives Inspectorate if your security clearance has been lost, destroyed or stolen. You must do this in writing within 7 days or you could be fined up to 50 penalty units.
Surrendering your security clearance
You can surrender your security clearance at any time during the term. To surrender your security clearance, complete form E117 – Voluntary surrender of authority or security clearance (PDF, 745KB).
Note that we are unable to refund any portion of the fee if you surrender your clearance before it expires.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021