Apply for a discretionary Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC)

About the discretionary ASIC

You can apply for a discretionary Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) in certain circumstances.

If we grant you a discretionary card, you must follow the law and meet all the requirements of being a cardholder.

The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs (or an authorised delegate) can approve or refuse to grant a discretionary ASIC. This applies if you are not eligible based on your background check.

Discretionary cards look like regular ASICs. They give you the same access to security-restricted areas (SRAs) but could have conditions, for example:

shorter validity periods
limitations to a specific airport
drug and alcohol testing
regular conduct reports from an employer.

Who can apply

You can apply for a discretionary ASIC if AusCheck has told you that you are not eligible. This would be due to an adverse criminal record from a conviction for a Tier 2 or Tier 3 security-relevant offence.

You may also apply for the reinstatement of a cancelled ASIC if AusCheck determines that you are no longer eligible to hold the card.

We consider each application on its own merits.

Applying for a discretionary ASIC card will not affect:

future applications for an ASIC
any future discretionary reviews.

Cost

You do not need to pay for a discretionary card. However, you must pay for any costs for getting supporting documents, including court transcripts or medical letters.

When to apply

You must wait until AusCheck sends a final letter to tell you that you are not eligible for the ASIC. You then have 28 days from the date of that letter to apply for a discretionary card.

How we assess applications

The discretionary card process is different to the general ASIC process.

The Secretary has the power:

to approve the issue of an ASIC to someone who is otherwise not eligible because of their criminal convictions
in certain circumstances, to approve the reinstatement of a cancelled ASIC.

The Secretary has these powers under the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005(Opens in a new tab/window).

Unlike AusCheck's background checking process, the Secretary will consider individual circumstances and other factors when making a decision. These include:

the nature of the offences you were convicted of
the length of the term of imprisonment in your sentence and how much of it you served, including whether it was suspended
your conduct and employment history since your offence
anything else that is relevant that the Secretary knows about.

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for a discretionary ASIC.

You must provide enough information to show you do not pose a risk to aviation security. This allows the Secretary to make an informed decision. The type of information includes the following.
Current photo ID
This must show your full name and date of birth.
Court transcripts
You must provide court transcripts for the security-relevant convictions that affected your eligibility for a security identification card, and for any other relevant offences. These convictions are in a list in the letter you received from AusCheck. The courts who heard your charges have this information.
Letter from employer
You must provide a letter from your employer (on company letterhead) that:
- confirms your employment, including start date, job role and duties
- outlines your operational need to hold a card to access secure areas
- details the secure areas you need to access.
You may also provide a character reference on company letterhead from your direct supervisor or employer that mentions your trustworthiness and suitability for your role in the aviation industry.
References
You can provide written personal or professional references. It is better if they acknowledge your convictions or are related to the aviation industry, but this is not essential.
We also accept references from current employers which demonstrate your work conduct, if they are dated in the current year. We prefer that these references acknowledge your conviction(s), but this is not a requirement.
Other supporting information
You can provide other supporting material that may be relevant to your application, for example:
- A letter from your correctional services officer in support of your application. This should include comments about your behaviour while you were on parole, your risk of reoffending, and how well you have followed any court orders.
- Information from Corrective Services that shows the details of your imprisonment.
- A letter showing your volunteering or community involvement not related to court‑ordered community service.
- Independent evidence of rehabilitation or positive change. This may include:
- a letter from a program facilitator explaining how you participated in a program
- evidence of crime‑diversion programs you have completed or are currently doing.
- A letter from a doctor or counsellor outlining any treatment plans relevant to your application. For example, plans for drug or alcohol use, gambling, anger management, relapse prevention, or mental health.
- A resume with no unexplained gaps. If there are gaps, include a brief explanation.
- Any other documents that show you do not pose a risk to aviation facilities, processes or people.
- Any other supporting information you want to provide, for example, police factsheets or evidence of rehabilitation since your conviction(s).
You can either:
- submit your own application online
- apply through the issuing body that submitted your original application.
To submit your own application, complete the ASIC/MSIC discretionary review online application(Opens in a new tab/window).
If you apply through your issuing body, they will lodge the application on your behalf through the applicant portal.

After you apply

Once you lodge your application and have provided all the necessary information, the Secretary has 30 days to respond to your application. You will get an email about the outcome from idsecurity@homeaffairs.gov.au.

The Secretary may:

ask for more information
make a decision.

If the Secretary asks for more information, they must make a final decision within 30 days of receiving the requested information.

Outcomes

There are 3 possible outcomes:

If your application is approved, we will tell you and your issuing body in writing. They may then decide to issue your card.
If your application is approved with conditions, we will tell you and your issuing body what the conditions are. Conditions may include a shorter validity period, limited facilities for use, regular drug or alcohol testing, or conduct reports.
If your application is not approved, or if you have had conditions imposed on your card, we will tell you in writing. We will include:
- what the decision is and why
- how to ask for a review or appeal.

Once you have a discretionary card

There are important rules you must follow to manage your ASIC. The decision document you receive will detail any extra conditions.

Contact

For more information about the discretionary card and process, email idsecurity@homeaffairs.gov.au.