What is a national security clearance?

All government organisations must keep New Zealand Government information and resources safe. They need to know they can trust you with access to information or resources that could affect New Zealand’s security.

You need a national security clearance (clearance) if you work for or with a government organisation and need to use information or resources or access locations with a security classification of CONFIDENTIAL or higher. The government organisation decides what clearance level your role needs.

How you get a national security clearance

• If you require a national security clearance you’ll be vetted by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).
• When the NZSIS vets you, they check and assess your background. The NZSIS will only do this if they have your consent. The higher the clearance level, the more in depth their checks are.
• Once the government organisation you are working for receives a recommendation from NZSIS they will decide whether or not to grant you a national security clearance.

For further information, see New Zealand Personnel Security – National Security Clearances and the New Zealand Government Security Classification System.

Page last modified: 12/06/2020