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

*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.

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.

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

*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

*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

Also consider…

• Find out more about the transitional arrangements for security clearances.

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

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

Also consider…

Find out more about Queensland Government explosives reserves and security.

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.

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 for new applicants only

1. Complete the security clearance application form online. You will receive an email confirmation with a QR code*.
2. 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).
3. 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

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).

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:

• last name
• the QESC card number
  • for digital QESC cards, include all text (e.g. LIC-QESC-00XXX)
  • for physical QESC cards, include all preceding zeros (e.g. 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.

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.

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.