The Defence Security and Vetting Service (formerly the Defence Security Authority^[1]) is an agency in the Strategic Policy and Intelligence of the Australian Department of Defence responsible for Protective Security within the Australian Defence Organisation and the protection of the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force while in garrison.

The Defence Security and Vetting Service provides Protective Security and Personnel Investigation and Vetting services.^[2] The agency also develop security policy, investigates major security incidents in cooperation with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police and is held responsible for the security of the Australian Defence Organisation. It is the parent agency for the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) and manages the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).^[3]

The Defence Security and Vetting Service monitors:^[4][2]

• Investigations into major national security breaches (including the theft of seven rocket launches in 2007)^[5]
• Performance and risks
• Reports on security compliance
• Grants on security clearances for Defence and Defence Industry Security Program members^[3]
• Conducts clearance revalidations and re-evaluations
• Develops and promulgates security policy that complies with Australian Government protective security policy and
• Meets Defence's needs and assisting Groups and the Services with security policy implementation.^[4]

• Holsworthy Barracks terror plot
• Defense Security Service
• Direction de la Protection et de la Sécurité de la Défense

• Defence Security Authority
• Open Australia Search: Parliamentary records mentioning 'defence security authority'.

v t e Australian Intelligence Community
Agencies	Office of National Intelligence Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Australian Secret Intelligence Service Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation Australian Signals Directorate Australian Cyber Security Centre Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap Defence Intelligence Organisation Australian Federal Police Department of Home Affairs Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre
Coordination	National Security Committee of Cabinet Secretaries Committee on National Security National Intelligence Coordination Committee
Policy	Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of Defence (Defence Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group)
Oversight	Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Attorney-General's Department
Legislation	Intelligence Services Act 2001 Intelligence Services Amendment Act 2004
Military	Australian Special Forces Australian Army Intelligence Corps 6th Brigade 7th Signal Regiment 1st Intelligence Battalion