Prior to being granted access to Australian Government Security Classified law enforcement data, Victoria Police Employees, Contractors, Consultants and Approved Third Parties must meet Australian Government Personnel Security Clearance requirements for access to that data.

Victoria Police must ensure that Agreements with Approved Third Parties include the requirement to meet Australian Government Personnel Security Clearance requirements prior to being granted access to Security Classified law enforcement data.

Statement of Objective

To reduce the risk of unauthorised disclosure of Security Classified law enforcement data, Victoria Police must take all reasonable and appropriate precautions to ensure that only people with the appropriate security clearance gain access to it.

Implementation Guidance

It should be noted that the level of background checking required for access to law enforcement data described in Standard 8 generally meets the Australian Government personnel security requirements for access to ‘IN-CONFIDENCE’ Security Classified information.

Minimum checking standards exist for every security clearance level.  The purpose of the minimum standards is to ensure that security clearance procedures among all agencies who might share Security Classified information are consistent and that the resulting security clearances are portable between all agencies.

Due to the administrative burden and financial impost, security clearances should only be sought for individuals with a demonstrated need to know and requirement for regular access to Security Classified law enforcement data.  Victoria Police should be aware that there are three types of temporary arrangements that provide limited access to Security Classified information.  They are:

a) limited higher access;

b) provisional access; and

c) emergency access.

These arrangements are, by definition, temporary in nature and should be the exception rather than the rule.

The Australian Government Protective Security Manual (PSM) provides the definitive personnel security clearance policy for Security Classified information (including Security Classified law enforcement data).  Victoria Police should refer to the PSM for detailed guidance on effective implementation of security clearances required for access to Security Classified law enforcement data.