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.

Security clearances are mandatory for anyone with unsupervised access to security-sensitive explosives, with some specific exceptions. Find out what is meant by:

• unsupervised access
• security sensitive explosives
• exceptions to holding a security clearance.

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.

Employees

Employees of security-sensitive authority holders who have unsupervised access to explosives must hold a security clearance.

'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.

Government magazine access card holders

Government magazine access cards can only be issued to individuals (including employees of authority holders).

Each individual who needs access to the facility will need to obtain a security clearance before they can be issued a government magazine access card. Find out more about government magazines.

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.

Process for new applications

From April 2026, all new applications for a security clearance must be submitted using the RSHQ Portal (the Portal).

1. If you don't already have a Portal account, you will need to create one. You can find guidance and a help video under the heading 'Getting started in the RSHQ Portal' on the Portal's Training and support page.
   1. Before completing your QESC application, you will need to verify your identity to use the Portal – this must be completed to a 'Strong' level to obtain access to security sensitive explosives.
2. Log in to the Portal, and select Licensing & clearances in the top menu toolbar, then Explosives applications, and Apply for Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC).
3. The Create Queensland Explosives Security Clearance Status (QESC) application screen will display. Read the text and follow the prompts to proceed through the application process.
4. For detailed instructions on how to make your application, refer to the document Applying for a Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC) under the 'Explosives and Fireworks' heading on the Portal's Training and support page.

Renewals

Your security clearance is valid for 5 years, except where it is refused, suspended or cancelled (see below).

Renewal applications must be submitted using the RSHQ Portal (the Portal). The Portal will issue automatic email reminders at 42, 14 and 7 days prior to the expiry of your clearance. Follow the instructions in the email, to apply for your renewal in the Portal.

If you do not receive any reminder emails and have checked your spam folders, email qesc@rshq.qld.gov.au to ensure we have the correct email address on file.

Photo requirements

Your application must be accompanied by a passport-quality photograph that is uploaded and submitted via the Portal. Submission of poor-quality photographs is a common cause for refusal. To avoid your application being rejected, your photo needs to satisfy these requirements:

• photo less than 6 months old
• no retouching of any kind
• clear, in-focus image – without any 'red eye'
• plain white or grey background
• even, flat lighting so there are no shadows on your face
• you are looking at the camera straight-on, with a neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed
• nothing covering your face (hair, glasses, face-coverings). Note: Some exemptions are available for religious and medical reasons – see Applying for a Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC) under the 'Explosives and Fireworks' heading on the Portal's Training and support page.

Confidentiality

The information you provide in your security clearance application 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 provided photo and identity documents meeting requirements
• 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 notification via email. You can track the status of your application in the Portal under the View my applications tile.

From April 2026, security clearances are issued only in a digital format. Once issued, you can view your clearance in the Portal under the View licenses, permits and certificates tile.

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.