Before applying
Before applying, it is important to:
- Be familiar with the Defence Security Principles Framework (DSPF) Principle 16 Control 16.1 and the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) membership level requirements.
- Determine ability to meet the requirements for the DISP membership level that is being applied for.
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Identify a Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Security Officer (SO).
Chief Security Officer and Security Officer roles and responsibilities factsheet (PDF, 707.79 KB)
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Organise the security governance documentation and go through the DISP Membership Requirement Checklist to help build the evidence to support the DISP application.
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Have an established email address in the format of DISP@your entity name.
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Satisfy requirements for foreign ownership, control or influence.
Foreign ownership control and influence fact sheet (PDF, 644.62 KB)
- Ensure that all information provided about the entity matches information recorded in the Australian Securities and Investments Commission register, especially any registered business address and ABN/ACN.
- CSO’s and SO’s should obtain a Australian Government Digital Identity, which is linked to the entity via Relationship Authorisation Manager.
- Find out more information on the Digital ID and RAM requirements over on the DISP Member Portal, under the heading Digital ID and Authorisation Management.
Submitting an application
Complete the application on the DISP Member Portal.
The first step when entering the DISP Member Portal is to update your profile. This includes providing Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) personal security clearance details and acknowledging whether the CSO and SO have completed SO training.
After the profile is complete, there are 9 sections of the application that will need to be filled out:
- Entity details
- Officer details
- Contracts and panels
- Physical and ICT
- Membership levels
- Foreign ownership, control and influence
- Cyber questionnaire
- Attachments
- Preview and submit.
Once the application is complete and prior to submitting:
- Ensure that the CSO has reviewed the application in full.
- Update any required information appropriately.
- Double check the information to ensure its accuracy.
Processing and timeframes
Defence is experiencing high demand for DISP accreditation. The Program has over 1400 members with that number expected to reach 2000 before the end of 2025.
This demand growth, coupled with a change in our delivery model, has created a backlog in applications that has required Defence to focus on priority memberships. Defence is moving aggressively to tackle this backlog in 2025.
Prioritisation of membership applications and upgrades is based on several factors including whether an entity holds or is tendering or negotiating for a Defence contract or panel, or is involved in supply chain or other government priority initiatives.
For urgent or high priority requests, Defence has established a priority queue for applications endorsed as urgent by a senior Defence official (minimum Band 1 / 1 Star level). If the application is urgent, please contact the Defence Contract Manager or Prime Contractor to seek endorsement.
Priority Applications are taking around 90 days to process once a processing officer is assigned. Entities can help streamline the process by having their security documents ready for assessment and by responding promptly to requests for information.
As additional processing resources come online, Defence will focus its capacity on processing applications for those entities with current Defence contracts (or sub-contracts), then to those applicants involved in tender processes.
Defence is also looking to increased processing automation through the DISP Membership System, and simplified policy settings to streamline the application process.