Guidance

Annex A: the certification process

Updated 27 November 2025

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  1. Contracted service provider makes initial employment offer for DCO. (Para 10)
  2. Contracted service provider conducts pre-employment checks. (Para 17)
  3. Contracted service provider applies for Disclosure and Barring Check (or equivalent). (Para 25)
  4. Contracted service provider submits DCO certification application to VCAT which includes:
    • Vetting & Certification Request Form
    • Identification Documents
    • Signed Mandatory Declaration Form (Annex B) (Para 18)
  5. VCAT submit the Security Clearance Application Form to the Protective Security Centre. (Para 20)
  6. Security Questionnaire (SQ) link is sent to the applicant. (Para 22)
  7. Applicant Completes SQ Link (Para 22)
  8. Applicant and VCAT informed of Security Clearance checks outcome. (Para 23)
  9. Contracted service provider is informed of the outcome (via the applicant or VCAT dependant on circumstance).
  10. Contracted service provider submits applicant’s Disclosure certificate to VCAT. (Para 27-29)
  11. Contracted service provider submits applicant’s training record to VCAT. (Para 34)
  12. VCAT review whole application and make a certification decision and informs the contracted service provider. (Para 35-38)

The process shown above is for illustration purposes of the process of an application to be certified as a DCO. Additional suitability checks conducted by VCAT will be made throughout the process, any areas of concern or where further information is required VCAT will contact the CSP. Full details of each step of this process are within the DSO.

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