Why Your Travel History Matters for Security Clearances
One of the most common stumbling blocks for AGSVA security clearance applicants is accurately documenting their overseas travel history. Many people don't realise that the Australian Government maintains comprehensive records of every time you've entered or left the country since 1981.
AGSVA requires detailed overseas travel information as part of the security clearance vetting process. Your travel history helps assess potential foreign influence risks, verify the accuracy of information you provide, and ensure you have a "checkable background" for the required period.
ā¹ļø Critical Information: Attempting to rely on memory alone is one of the biggest mistakes clearance applicants make. Most people cannot accurately recall all their overseas trips, especially if they've travelled frequently or the trips occurred several years ago. Incomplete or inaccurate travel information can delay your application by months or, worse, raise concerns about your honesty and reliability.
AGSVA Travel History Requirements by Clearance Level
Baseline - 10 Years Required
You must provide complete details of all overseas travel for the past 10 years, including:
- Country visited
- Dates of travel (departure and return)
- Reason for visit (tourism, business, family, education, etc.)
NV1 / NV2 - 10 Years Required
You must provide complete details of all overseas travel for the past 10 years, including:
- Country visited
- Dates of travel (departure and return)
- Reason for visit
- Additional scrutiny on foreign contacts and extended stays
ā ļø Important Note: Your International Movement Records show only your arrivals and departures from Australia. They do not show which other countries you travelled to or from. If you transited through or visited multiple countries during a single trip, you'll need to provide those details separately based on your own records (passport stamps, booking confirmations, etc.).
Note: AusClear provides sponsorship for Baseline, NV1, and NV2 clearances only. We do not sponsor Positive Vetting (PV) clearances.
What Are International Movement Records?
International Movement Records (also called Travel Movement Records or Passenger Movement Records) are official documents maintained by the Department of Home Affairs that show:
- ā Your departure dates from Australia
- ā Your arrival dates back into Australia
- ā The total period of time you were outside Australia
- ā The total number of movements (arrivals and departures)
These records are maintained in the Movements Reconstruction Database and contain data dating back to 1 January 1981. If you need records from before 1981, you must contact the National Archives of Australia instead.
ā Official Documentation: International Movement Records are official government documents that AGSVA will cross-reference against the information you provide in your clearance application. Having these records before you start your application ensures accuracy and demonstrates thoroughnessāboth positive indicators for security vetting.
Step-by-Step: How to Request Your Travel Records
The Department of Home Affairs provides a free online service to request your International Movement Records. The process is straightforward and typically takes 3-4 weeks.
Access the Online Request Form
Visit the Department of Home Affairs website and navigate to the International Movement Records request form. This service replaced the old paper-based Form 1359 in June 2021.
Gather Required Documents
Ensure you have: valid photo ID, name change documentation (if applicable), parent's consent (for under 18), or written consent (if requesting for someone else).
Complete the Online Form
Fill in accurate personal information: full current name, date of birth, contact details, time period requested, and any previous names used.
Upload Supporting Documents
Scan and upload clear, legible copies of your photo ID and any name change documents in colour, fully visible, not blurry, in accepted formats (PDF, JPG, PNG).
Submit and Wait for Processing
After submitting, you'll receive confirmation. The Department will process your request and send official Movement Records within 3-4 weeks.
Review and Prepare
Carefully review your records and use this information to accurately complete the overseas travel section of your AGSVA clearance application.
Important: You do NOT need to submit a separate request for every passport you've held. The Department will provide records across all your passports, including those from different countries.
š” Pro Tip: Request your travel records as soon as you know you'll be applying for a security clearanceāideally 4-6 weeks before you expect to begin your AGSVA application. This gives you plenty of time to receive the records, review them, and gather any additional information you might need about specific trips.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Many clearance applicants run into problems with their travel history. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
ā Pitfall #1: Relying on Memory Alone
The Problem: Attempting to recall all overseas trips from memory, especially trips from 5-10 years ago, leads to incomplete or inaccurate information.
The Solution: Always obtain your official International Movement Records before starting your AGSVA application. Cross-reference these with passport stamps, booking confirmations, and personal records.
ā Pitfall #2: Leaving It Until the Last Minute
The Problem: Waiting until after your AGSVA application is initiated to request travel records. Processing takes 3-4 weeks, which can delay your entire clearance application.
The Solution: Request your records as soon as you know you'll be applying for clearance, ideally 4-6 weeks before you expect to start your application.
ā Pitfall #3: Not Accounting for Transit Countries
The Problem: International Movement Records only show when you left and returned to Australiaānot which countries you visited in between. Failing to document transit stops or multiple destinations can appear as incomplete disclosure.
The Solution: Use your passport stamps, airline tickets, hotel bookings, and credit card statements to identify all countries visited during each trip abroad.
ā Pitfall #4: Forgetting Childhood Travel on Parents' Passports
The Problem: If you travelled as a child on your parent's passport, those movements won't appear in your individual records unless specifically requested.
The Solution: When requesting records, include your parent's name, date of birth, and passport number (if known) in the application form. Consider also requesting your parent's travel records for the relevant period.
ā Pitfall #5: Inconsistent or Unexplained Gaps
The Problem: Your movement records show you left Australia but there's confusion about where you went or why, especially for extended periods overseas.
The Solution: For each overseas trip, prepare brief explanations of the purpose (tourism, visiting family, work assignment, education) and gather supporting documentation where possible.
ā Pitfall #6: Name Changes Not Documented
The Problem: Travel under a previous name (maiden name, changed name) may not be captured if you don't provide name change documentation.
The Solution: Always include marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or deed polls when requesting records if you've changed your name at any point.
ā Pitfall #7: Not Requesting Pre-1981 Records When Required
The Problem: For higher-level clearances, you may need travel history going back further than 10 years, which could predate 1981 for some applicants.
The Solution: If you need records from before 1981, contact the National Archives of Australia separately. Processing can take up to 30 days.
What If Your Records Show Unexpected Travel?
Sometimes people discover trips in their International Movement Records that they'd forgotten about. This is actually a good thingāit shows why official records are essential!
ā How to Handle Forgotten Trips:
- Use the dates from your movement records as a starting point
- Check old passport stamps to identify which countries you visited
- Review email archives for travel bookings or confirmations
- Check credit card and bank statements from the relevant dates
- Ask family members or travel companions who may remember the trip
- Look for photos with location tags or timestamps
Include these trips in your AGSVA application with as much detail as you can provide. It's better to include a trip with limited details than to omit it entirely.
Alternative Methods and Special Circumstances
Records Before 1981
If you need travel records from before 1 January 1981, you must contact the National Archives of Australia instead of the Department of Home Affairs.
Contact Information:
- Website: www.naa.gov.au
- Complete the online enquiry form or search the passenger arrivals index
- Processing can take up to 30 business days
Urgent Requests
If you need your records urgently for a clearance application, you can:
- Note the urgency in your online request form
- Contact the Department of Home Affairs directly to explain the time-sensitive nature
- Follow up if you haven't received records within 4 weeks
ā ļø Important Processing Note: The Department of Home Affairs sometimes experiences higher than usual volumes of requests. During busy periods, processing may take longer than 3-4 weeks. This is another reason to request your records well in advance of needing them.
Missing or Incomplete Records
In rare cases, some movements may not be captured in the database due to system issues or data migration problems from legacy systems. If you believe your records are incomplete:
- Contact the Department of Home Affairs to report the discrepancy
- Provide any evidence you have of the missing travel (passport stamps, tickets, visas)
- Include an explanation in your AGSVA application noting the discrepancy and the evidence you have
Using Your Records in Your AGSVA Application
Once you receive your International Movement Records, here's how to use them effectively in your AGSVA clearance application:
Step 1: Create a Comprehensive Travel Log
Use a spreadsheet to document each trip with:
- Departure date from Australia
- Return date to Australia
- Country or countries visited
- Purpose of travel (tourism, business, family visit, education, etc.)
- Supporting evidence (passport stamps, bookings, etc.)
Step 2: Identify Any Problematic Trips
Highlight any trips that might require additional explanation:
- Extended stays overseas (more than a few weeks)
- Travel to countries that may raise security concerns
- Frequent travel to the same country (suggesting connections)
- Trips where you can't clearly recall all countries visited
Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documentation
Gather evidence for your trips:
- Passport copies showing stamps and visas
- Travel booking confirmations (flights, hotels)
- Work letters or conference invitations (for business travel)
- Enrolment documentation (for study abroad)
Step 4: Complete the AGSVA Application Accurately
When filling out the overseas travel section of your clearance application:
- Use the exact dates from your International Movement Records
- List all countries visited during each trip
- Provide clear, concise reasons for each trip
- Be honest about any uncertainties or gaps in your knowledge
ā Honesty is Critical: If you're unsure about details of a particular trip, it's better to say "I'm uncertain which countries I transited through" than to guess or omit information. AGSVA values honesty and transparency above perfection. Demonstrating that you've made a thorough effort to document your travel history accurately is viewed positively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for International Movement Records?
No. Requesting your own International Movement Records is completely free of charge.
How far back can I request records?
The Department of Home Affairs holds records from 1 January 1981 onwards. For earlier records, contact the National Archives of Australia.
Will my records show which countries I visited?
No. Your International Movement Records only show when you departed and returned to Australia. You'll need to use other evidence (passport stamps, booking records) to identify which countries you visited during each trip.
What if I travelled as a child on my parent's passport?
Include your parent's details when requesting records, and consider requesting your parent's movement records for the relevant period. Children listed on a parent's passport may not have individual records.
Can I request records for someone else?
Yes, but you need their signed written consent. For children under 18, you need proof of parental responsibility.
What if I've changed my name?
Include documentation of your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, deed poll) when requesting records to ensure all travel under previous names is captured.
How long do records take to arrive?
Typically 3-4 weeks from the date of your online request. During busy periods, it may take longer.
What if I find errors in my records?
Contact the Department of Home Affairs to report any discrepancies. Provide evidence of the correct information if available.
Key Takeaways
š Essential Points to Remember: