DISP membership

What DISP membership is, and when you need it.

The Defence Industry Security Program, and how to tell if you need it. If a contract you're after does, we'll point you to the people who prepare it.

Ask about DISP See who needs it

Four levels, set by what you'll handle.

The higher the level, the more sensitive the information you can work with. The work you're after decides which one you need.

  1. Entry

    OFFICIAL and OFFICIAL: Sensitive

  2. Level 1

    PROTECTED

  3. Level 2

    SECRET

  4. Level 3

    TOP SECRET

Source: Defence, DISP eligibility and suitability (opens in a new tab), checked 5 October 2026.

Only some work needs it.

Defence is clear that membership isn't needed for everything. It's mandatory if your business does any of these four things.

  1. Works on classified material

    Any classified information or assets, from PROTECTED up.

  2. Handles weapons or ordnance

    Supplies, maintains, stores or transports weapons or explosive ordnance.

  3. Provides security services

    Security services for Defence bases or facilities.

  4. Is asked to by a contract

    Some Defence contracts make membership a condition of the work.

Not sure if yours does

Just tell us what you're going after. We'll work it out with you.

Ask about DISP

Source: Defence, DISP eligibility and suitability (opens in a new tab), checked 5 October 2026.

A grey warship on a calm sea at sunset

Membership opens the door to some work. You've still got to win it.

Defence's own words are that DISP membership does not guarantee Defence contracts.

If a contract needs DISP, we'll introduce you to the people who prepare it.

It's specialist security work, so we bring in the specialists. We look after everything a buyer reads about you, so it all lines up.

  1. We spot it.

    If a contract you're after needs DISP, we'll flag it early. Usually on the first call.

  2. They prepare it.

    We'll introduce you to an independent specialist to prepare your application and the security work behind it.

  3. Defence grants it.

    Only Defence can grant membership. It comes at the level the work needs.

  4. We make sure it shows.

    Once it lands, we update your website, capability statement and registers. Every one shows the right level.

Just so you know where we stand. We don't prepare DISP ourselves, and nobody can promise membership. The specialists we introduce are independent of us and of Defence. If we're ever paid for an introduction, we'll tell you before we make it.

A Defence Industry Development Grant's security stream can help pay for the uplift work, though not for the DISP application or advice on it. If it fits, we'll write the grant application while your specialist does the work.

Source: business.gov.au, Defence Industry Development Grants program (opens in a new tab).

Tell us what the contract asks for.

We'll introduce you to the right people. Once you're a member, we'll make sure everything a buyer reads says so.

Ask about DISP See the ways into defence work