MBK Security Group provides NV1-cleared security officers for Adelaide CBD government, Defence, AUKUS shipbuilding, and Defence research sites. Operating under South Australian Security Agent Licence ISL 345562 and across Australia under multiple state Master Licences, our cleared-officer roster is verified against AGSVA records before each assignment and operates in alignment with client security plans and the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).
Adelaide is Australia’s Defence research and shipbuilding capital. Osborne — the home of ASC and the future build site for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines and Hunter-class frigates — sits 25 minutes from the Adelaide CBD. Edinburgh hosts RAAF Edinburgh, the headquarters of Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability, and DSTG (formerly DSTO) — the Defence Science and Technology Group, Australia’s foremost Defence R&D organisation. Add the Technology Park Adelaide cluster of Defence Industry primes (BAE Systems Australia, Saab Australia, Leidos Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia), Defence SA, and the Commonwealth and SA government tenancies in the CBD — and Adelaide has one of the densest concentrations of cleared-personnel demand in Australia.
If you’re a Defence prime, an AUKUS-related shipbuilding contractor, a Defence Industry sub-tier supplier, a Commonwealth or SA government facility manager, or a critical infrastructure operator with an Adelaide site that requires personnel cleared to Negative Vetting Level 1, this page is for you.
Where NV1 clearance is required in Adelaide
Adelaide NV1 demand concentrates around six distinct facility types and precincts:
- Osborne Naval Shipyard. The home of ASC (Australian Submarine Corporation) and the build site for Australia’s Hunter-class frigates and the future SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. The site is undergoing the largest naval shipbuilding expansion in Australian history. NV1 is a baseline clearance for most contractor and supplier guarding work; higher clearances apply to many roles.
- RAAF Edinburgh and Edinburgh Defence Precinct. Headquarters of Air Force’s Air Mobility Group and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations — including the AP-3C Orion replacement P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton fleets. Edinburgh hosts one of the largest concentrations of Defence personnel in South Australia.
- DSTG Edinburgh — Defence Science and Technology Group. Australia’s primary Defence research organisation, with major laboratories at Edinburgh focused on intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare, autonomous systems, and weapon systems research. DSTG sites have some of the most stringent cleared-personnel requirements in Australian Defence.
- Defence Industry corridor — Technology Park Adelaide and Mawson Lakes. Cluster of Defence primes including BAE Systems Australia (Hunter-class lead), Saab Australia (combat systems), Leidos Australia (ISR), Lockheed Martin Australia (combat systems and AIR 6500), and a deep ecosystem of sub-tier suppliers. DISP-aligned cleared-personnel requirements are widespread.
- Defence SA and Commonwealth tenancies in the CBD. Defence SA (the SA government’s Defence agency), Department of Defence offices, AFP South Australia operations, ASIO Adelaide operations, ASIC, and the broader Commonwealth presence in the Adelaide CBD towers. Many have protected-zone requirements.
- SA state government precincts. The State Administration Centre, Treasury, SA Police HQ, and the surrounding government office precinct — handling protected-information environments at executive and incident-response levels.
- Critical infrastructure under SOCI Act 2018. Port Adelaide operations, Adelaide Airport precinct, the SA Power Networks transmission infrastructure, telecommunications carrier facilities, and the major desalination and water infrastructure — falling under Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program (CIRMP) obligations.
- Higher education and research with Defence-funded programs. Including the University of Adelaide (North Terrace), University of South Australia (Mawson Lakes), Flinders University (Tonsley), and the Australian Institute for Machine Learning — many with substantial Defence-funded research portfolios.
What our NV1 officers do on Adelaide sites
Cleared work in Adelaide spans Defence shipbuilding, Defence research, Defence Industry sustainment and engineering, Commonwealth and state government access control, and AUKUS-aligned commercial environments. Our NV1 officers perform tasks that require active vetting, disciplined SOPs, and government-grade reporting:
- Access control and identity verification — pass issuance, contractor induction, visitor vetting, badging, and permit-to-work checks at controlled entry points (especially Osborne, Edinburgh, and Technology Park sites)
- Gatehouse and secure reception — staffed entry points, mail and delivery screening, vehicle inspection at protected-zone perimeters
- Patrols of protected and CABINET-classified areas — foot and vehicle patrols inside controlled perimeters, CCTV monitoring, and incident detection in line with site security plans
- Alarm response inside cleared zones — escalation protocols and coordinated response with Departmental Security Advisors, Defence Security Officers, base security commanders, and SA Police where relevant
- Search and screening — bag and vehicle inspection, x-ray and metal detection where required, screening as per site-specific Standard Operating Procedures
- Incident management and reporting — shift logs, evidence preservation, witness statements, and liaison with sponsoring agencies
- Event security at protected venues — Ministerial events, AUKUS partner visits (US, UK delegations to Osborne and Edinburgh), Defence Industry conferences, sensitive corporate events at primes and sub-tier suppliers
- Construction-phase security at major Defence build sites — particularly relevant at Osborne where multi-decade infrastructure expansion is underway alongside live shipbuilding operations
Compliance and governance
Adelaide Defence research and shipbuilding clients apply some of the most demanding governance frameworks in the country, with DSTG and Osborne in particular operating to elevated controls. Our operating standards align to:
- AGSVA clearance verification — every assigned officer’s NV1 status is verified during onboarding and re-verified before each assignment.
- Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) alignment — our SOPs align to the four PSPF outcomes for Commonwealth and Defence clients.
- Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) alignment — for engagements with Defence primes and DISP-member organisations at Technology Park, Mawson Lakes, and Osborne, we operate to DISP personnel, physical, ICT, and governance standards.
- Site security plans and DSA-approved procedures — every Adelaide deployment operates to the client’s site security plan.
- SOCI Act compliance for critical infrastructure clients — including alignment to CIRMP requirements for Port Adelaide, energy, and telecommunications sector clients.
- WHS and fitness for duty — site-specific inductions, drug and alcohol testing where required, and ongoing fitness-for-duty monitoring.
- Reporting and audit trail — shift logs, handover notes, incident reports, and audit-ready records delivered as per client cadence.
- SA Security Agent Licence ISL 345562 — every officer is also licensed under SA security legislation, in addition to holding AGSVA clearance.
How we resource NV1 roles in Adelaide
Adelaide is a high-growth market for cleared work, driven by AUKUS submarine construction, the Hunter-class frigate program, the AIR 6500 air battle management program, and the steady research expansion at DSTG. We resource Adelaide NV1 work through three channels:
- Existing NV1 pool — we maintain a roster of NV1-cleared officers with capacity for SA deployments, including officers familiar with Osborne shipyard protocols, RAAF Edinburgh / DSTG procedures, and Technology Park Defence Industry tenancy requirements.
- Client-sponsored clearances — when new sponsorship is needed for a specific Adelaide site, we coordinate with the sponsoring agency, prime contractor, or DSA to manage the AGSVA process. This is the dominant channel for new AUKUS-related contracts and Hunter-class supply chain expansion, where primes are running long-cycle clearance pipelines.
- Surge capacity and relief — trained relief officers maintain coverage during leave, training cycles, or surge requirements (such as build milestones at Osborne, AUKUS partner visits, Defence Innovation Days, or major DSTG technology demonstrations).
Each Adelaide NV1 deployment includes a named site supervisor and a duty manager accountable for shift-by-shift compliance.
Why MBK for NV1 work in Adelaide
- SA Security Agent Licence ISL 345562. Active and in good standing — every officer is licensed under SA security legislation in addition to holding AGSVA clearance.
- Multi-state licensing. Plus active licences in NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, WA, TAS, and NT — particularly relevant for AUKUS work, which routinely spans Adelaide construction, Perth sustainment, Sydney engineering, and Canberra HQ. We bring consistent compliance frameworks across all four.
- Forty-plus years of operational continuity. Founded in 1984. For Defence shipbuilding work — which runs on 30+ year programme horizons — supplier longevity is a procurement criterion in itself.
- Integrated capability. NV1 guarding can be combined with mobile patrols, alarm monitoring, CCTV, and facility maintenance — all under one accountable provider, simplifying procurement.
- Audited management systems. ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), and ISO 45001 (work health and safety) certified. ASIAL Silver member.
- Disciplined supervision model. Site supervisors and duty managers, not unsupervised solo guards. Critical for cleared work where compliance is the product — and especially critical at construction-phase shipbuilding sites where active build operations and protected research environments coexist.
- National AUKUS alignment. Because we operate across all eight states and territories, we can support AUKUS primes and sub-tier suppliers with national footprints — with consistent compliance frameworks across Adelaide (construction), Perth (sustainment), Sydney (engineering), and Canberra (HQ).
Adelaide and SA precincts we cover for NV1 work
Our NV1 deployment footprint across Adelaide and SA includes:
- Adelaide CBD core — North Terrace, King William Street, Grenfell Street, the State Administration Centre and the surrounding Commonwealth tenancies
- Osborne Naval Shipyard — ASC, BAE Systems Maritime Australia, and the supporting Defence Industry sustainment corridor
- RAAF Edinburgh and Edinburgh Defence Precinct — including DSTG and supporting Defence operations
- Technology Park Adelaide (Mawson Lakes) — Defence Industry corridor with primes and sub-tier suppliers
- Tonsley Innovation District — Flinders University Defence research, advanced manufacturing, and Defence Industry sub-tier suppliers
- Port Adelaide and Outer Harbor — SOCI-regulated maritime infrastructure and Defence Industry-aligned port operations
- Adelaide Airport precinct — aviation security and Defence aviation operations (where role-dependent passes apply)
- Salisbury and Elizabeth corridor — Edinburgh-adjacent Defence Industry, sustainment, and supply chain sites
- North Terrace research precinct — University of Adelaide and Australian Institute for Machine Learning research environments
- Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Port Augusta — for clients with regional SA operations
Industries and environments we serve in Adelaide
- Royal Australian Navy and Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC)
- RAAF and Air Force ISR operations at Edinburgh
- Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) — research and laboratory environments
- AUKUS submarine construction ecosystem
- Hunter-class frigate programme contractors and supply chain
- Defence Industry primes — BAE Systems, Saab, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, and supply chain
- Defence SA and Commonwealth government departments — Adelaide offices
- SA state government departments and protected-information environments
- Critical infrastructure operators under the SOCI Act 2018
- Tier III/IV data centres handling protected and PROTECTED:CABINET workloads
- Higher education and research with Defence-funded programs (UofA, UniSA, Flinders, AIML)
- Aviation and transport hubs at Adelaide Airport
- Major corporate occupiers requiring NV1 for executive floors, board areas, and protected commercial information environments
How NV1 pricing works for Adelaide contracts
NV1 cleared officers in Adelaide attract a premium over standard licensed guards because of the clearance investment, vetting maintenance, and operational discipline required for cleared work. Adelaide’s Defence Industry corridor is undergoing significant labour market tightening as AUKUS construction and Hunter-class build phases ramp up — putting upward pressure on cleared-personnel rates. Pricing depends on:
- Clearance level required — NV1, NV2, or PV. NV1 is above Baseline and below NV2/PV; pricing scales with clearance. AUKUS construction and DSTG research work increasingly require higher clearance levels.
- Hours of cover and shift pattern — 24/7 shipyard operations vs business-hours-only departmental reception differ significantly.
- Site risk profile and SOP complexity — shipyard gatehouse vs DSTG laboratory access vs CABINET-area patrols vs Defence Industry executive-floor coverage.
- Sponsorship arrangements — whether MBK supplies pre-cleared officers from existing pool, or whether the client/agency sponsors new clearances. AUKUS work routinely runs proactive clearance pipelines given the multi-year programme horizons.
- DISP alignment requirements — Technology Park and Osborne contracts increasingly specify DISP-aligned controls beyond standard NV1 requirements.
- Reporting cadence — daily/weekly/monthly governance reporting requirements, integration with client GRC platforms.
- Procurement vehicle — pricing differs across direct engagement, panel arrangements, prime contractor sub-engagements, and managed service contracts. Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise procurement vehicles are distinct from standard Defence panels.
We provide a written proposal within two business days of you describing your Adelaide site, clearance requirements, shift pattern, and procurement vehicle. Contact our NV1 team or call 1300 023 333.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NV1 clearance and why does it matter for Adelaide work?
NV1 — Negative Vetting Level 1 — is a security clearance issued by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). It allows the holder to access information classified up to PROTECTED. In Adelaide, NV1 is required for most guarding work at Osborne shipyard, RAAF Edinburgh and DSTG, Technology Park Defence Industry primes, and Commonwealth and SA government tenancies handling protected information. Many roles at DSTG and at AUKUS-aligned shipbuilding sites require higher clearance levels than NV1.
Does MBK service AUKUS submarine construction sites at Osborne?
Yes. Osborne is the build site for Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines and the Hunter-class frigates. We support cleared and DISP-aligned guarding requirements at the shipyard precinct — including ASC, BAE Systems Maritime Australia, and the broader Defence Industry supply chain. Given the long-term horizon of AUKUS construction (running through to the 2050s), we prioritise long-cycle clearance pipelines and stable supervisory teams for AUKUS-related work.
Can MBK service DSTG research environments at Edinburgh?
Yes. DSTG operates some of the most demanding cleared environments in Australian Defence. We support NV1 and higher cleared-personnel guarding requirements at research sites where laboratory access, intellectual property protection, and protected-information handling are core operating concerns. Many DSTG roles require NV2 or PV rather than NV1 — we work through the same sponsorship and verification model for higher clearances.
Can MBK sponsor an NV1 clearance for an Adelaide site?
Clearances are sponsored by eligible Commonwealth entities or approved contractors — they cannot be sponsored by a security provider on its own. What we do is work with your sponsoring agency, prime contractor, or DSA to coordinate the AGSVA process for officers we onboard for your site, manage the rostering once sponsorship is in place, and handle clearance-currency monitoring throughout the engagement.
How fast can MBK provide NV1 officers in Adelaide?
For sites where MBK has existing cleared officers in the SA pool, we can typically commence within 5-10 business days from contract signing — including site induction, security plan briefing, and roster confirmation. For sites requiring new client-sponsored clearances, the timeline depends on AGSVA processing times (typically 6-12 months for new NV1 clearances). For AUKUS and Hunter-class work where sponsors are running proactive clearance pipelines, lead times are often shorter once the pipeline is established.
Are MBK officers familiar with shipyard protocols at Osborne?
Officers assigned to Osborne complete site-specific inductions covering the relevant security plan, shipyard orders, and SOPs. Where the site requires familiarity with naval shipbuilding access protocols, construction-phase security alongside live operations, or specific DISP requirements, we assign officers with prior experience and complete the required briefings before deployment.
Does MBK work with DISP-member organisations in Adelaide?
Yes. The Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) is the Defence vetting framework for industry suppliers. Where an Adelaide client engagement requires DISP-aligned controls — for personnel, physical, ICT, or governance — we work to those standards as part of our SOPs. DISP alignment is the baseline expectation for Technology Park and Osborne contracts.
What’s different about NV1 work in Adelaide vs Perth or Brisbane?
The clearance is the same. The work mix differs significantly. Adelaide is dominated by AUKUS submarine and Hunter-class construction (Osborne), Defence research (DSTG Edinburgh), and ISR operations (RAAF Edinburgh) — heavily research and shipbuilding focused. Perth is weighted toward AUKUS submarine sustainment (HMAS Stirling, Henderson) and the resources-sector Defence overlap. Brisbane is heavily ADF operational (Gallipoli, Amberley) and Defence sustainment supply chain. AUKUS work in particular spans Adelaide-Perth-Sydney with consistent compliance requirements across all three.
Next steps
Tell us about your Adelaide site, the clearance levels you need, your shift pattern, your procurement vehicle, and your reporting requirements. We’ll respond with a written proposal covering staffing plan, supervision model, compliance approach, and pricing — within two business days.
Get an NV1 proposal for your Adelaide site →
Or call our 24/7 dispatch on 1300 023 333.
MBK Security Group operates under SA Security Agent Licence ISL 345562 and corresponding licences in NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, WA, TAS, and NT. ASIAL Silver Member. ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certified.
