Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets (SAMS) endeavours to process all Foreign Work Authorisation requests as quickly as possible. Individuals seeking a foreign work authorisation must submit a foreign work authorisation (FWA) request. A FWA request allows Defence to make an assessment on a case-by-case basis and provide a formal outcome.
Individuals can also request a variation of a current or in-progress FWA, withdraw a FWA or request a decision review of a finalised FWA.
Process
Due to the unique nature of each FWA, the SAMS processing times can vary. Although processing times should generally be much shorter, allow a minimum of 60 business days for processing.
FWA requests must be complete and meet required information standards before proceeding to the assessment stage. Factors that may affect the time to finalise a FWA include:
- incomplete, missing or poor-quality information
- timeliness of responses to information requests
- the nature of the applicant’s previous, current or proposed employment
- the country/ies for which, or in which, the work or training will be performed
- the number of requests under assessment by SAMS.
Individuals submitting an incomplete request will be notified by SAMS and must provide all required information. Without the required information, an FWA request will not progress.
Priority requests
Individuals requiring an FWA at short notice may seek priority processing. Priority requests are to be submitted to sams.info@defence.gov.au and accompanied by a detailed justification and supporting evidence.
Priority request justifications must outline why the FWA request should be prioritised. These may include (but are not limited to):
- when the individual was made aware of this opportunity or activity (note that requests will not be prioritised due to a lack of planning)
- the potential negative consequences if this request is not prioritised
- any other information relevant information.
Failure to provide detailed information and supporting documentation will delay consideration of the priority request.
Submission methods
FWA-related requests can be submitted via 2 methods.
1 - My Australian Defence Exports portal via ServiceConnect
The My Australian Defence Exports (MADE) portal, via SeviceConnect, enables applicants to:
- verify their identity using myID, the Australian Government’s Digital ID app
- save a FWA request and return to complete and submit it at a later stage
- review previously submitted FWA requests for 30 days after being saved
- load documents to support a FWA request.
2 - My Australian Defence Exports portal via direct login
Any applicant who is not eligible for an Australian Government Digital ID can access the MADE portal through a direct login. Access requires an active email address and mobile phone number.
Privacy
Any information provided to Defence in a FWA is handled in accordance with the Foreign Work Authorisation Privacy collection notice and the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Privacy Statement.