Security Classifications

Australian Government Security Classifications system gives guidance in identifying and grading the confidentiality requirements of official information.

Information requiring:
• PROTECTED
• CONFIDENTIAL
• SECRET
• TOP SECRET
Information requiring dissemination limiting markers (DLMs):
• For Official Use Only
• the four Sensitive DLMs (Sensitive: Cabinet, Sensitive: Personal, Sensitive: Legal and Sensitive)

Failure to identify information requiring increased protection or failure to provide the
protective procedures required for sensitive and classified information would
constitute an unacceptable risk to the Australian Government’s protective security. It may also put at risk information sharing and consultative arrangements between agencies that are essential to the efficient operation of government.

It is essential that agencies respect the rule that information is protectively marked by its
originator. Information received from another agency cannot have the protective markings changed without the permission of the originating agency.