From 1 July 2026, AusCheck background check fees rose by up to 274%, and the change applies to every MSIC and ASIC applicant in Australia. If you have received a notification from ClientView or another MSIC issuing body about a price increase, this article explains what has changed, what an MSIC now costs, and what to do before 20 June 2026.
The increase reflects a policy decision by the Department of Home Affairs to transition AusCheck to a full cost recovery model, a structural change that has been in development for some time. It applies regardless of which issuing body you use.
What is AusCheck and why does it drive your MSIC cost?
AusCheck is a unit within the Department of Home Affairs that conducts the mandatory background screening for MSIC and ASIC applicants. Every person who applies for a maritime or aviation security card must pass an AusCheck background check: a criminal history assessment, an identity verification, and in some cases a security assessment conducted through ASIO.
This background check is not optional. It is mandated by the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 and its associated regulations. Issuing bodies like ClientView cannot issue a card without one. The AusCheck fee is therefore a direct government charge that flows through to every applicant at cost, regardless of which issuing body processes their application.
Historically, AusCheck fees were set at levels established in 2015. For over a decade, the program operated with government revenue offsetting a portion of its costs. The 2026-27 Federal Budget confirmed a transition to full cost recovery, meaning the fees now reflect the actual cost of running the AusCheck program.
The new fees: what has changed
The following fees were published by the Department of Home Affairs on the AusCheck portal and took effect on 1 July 2026:
4-year MSIC (adult): previously $184.00, now $504.50, an increase of $320.50 (274%).
2-year MSIC or ASIC (adult): previously $92.00, now $262.00, an increase of $170.00 (185%).
2-year MSIC or ASIC (under 18): previously $38.00, now $87.50, an increase of $49.50 (130%).
The AusCheck fee for a standard four-year adult MSIC background check now exceeds the total retail price that many issuing bodies were charging for the complete card service before the increase. The background check has become the dominant cost driver in MSIC pricing.
See current MSIC pricing and service tiers →
What this means for the total cost of your MSIC
Background check fees have historically represented approximately 70% of the total cost of obtaining an MSIC. That proportion has increased further under the new fee structure. Because issuing bodies like ClientView pass the AusCheck fee through at cost with no markup, the full amount flows directly to applicants.
The impact extends across the broader credentialing landscape. In the aviation sector, the cost of a two-year ASIC has approximately doubled, increasing from around $240 to $480. For workers in container logistics who hold combined MSIC and port induction products, total card costs have increased by over $600 in some cases.
An MSIC is a legal requirement under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003 for anyone needing unescorted access to a maritime security zone. It is not a discretionary purchase, it is a condition of employment for a significant portion of Australia's maritime and port workforce.
The industry response
A number of industry associations have made public statements about the fee increase and the process by which it was introduced.
The Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) raised concerns about the timeline of the announcement, confirmed in the Federal Budget on 12 May 2026 less than seven weeks before the change took effect, and noted that issuing bodies and transport operators had limited opportunity to prepare. CTAA has called for greater engagement between industry and the Department on future changes to the AusCheck framework.
In the aviation sector, Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) noted that the fee increase adds to existing cost pressures for small operators and independent workers, and has called for the funding model for national security infrastructure to be considered more broadly.
The Department of Home Affairs has published a formal feedback address for industry and individuals who wish to provide input: AusCheck.Engagements@homeaffairs.gov.au.
The deadline: 20 June 2026
There is an important operational detail that affects anyone whose MSIC is due for renewal in the coming months.
AusCheck cannot guarantee that applications submitted in the final days of June 2026 will be processed before the pricing transition takes effect. To protect applicants from being caught in a processing backlog and billed at the higher rate, ClientView and other issuing bodies moved their application submission deadline forward to 20 June 2026.
If your application is submitted and accepted by ClientView before 20 June 2026, it will be priced at the pre-1 July rates. Applications submitted after that date will be subject to the new AusCheck fees.
This applies to both new applications and renewals. If your card is expiring in the next six months, act now to confirm whether an early renewal is viable for your situation.
Start your MSIC renewal before 20 June 2026 →
What should you do right now?
If your MSIC is expiring before 31 December 2026, the most important step is to determine whether submitting your application before 20 June 2026 is possible. The background check fee is the largest single cost in the renewal process, and submitting before the deadline is the only way to avoid the increase for your current renewal.
If you have already renewed or are currently in the application process, ClientView will honour the pricing that was in effect at the time your application was submitted.
If you have questions about how the price change applies to your specific situation, whether you are an individual applicant, a contractor, or an employer managing renewals for a team, our team can help.
Act before 20 June 2026
To lock in pre-1 July pricing, complete your application or renewal before the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Why has the MSIC price increased?
The Department of Home Affairs transitioned AusCheck to a full cost recovery model in the 2026-27 Federal Budget. AusCheck fees had been held at 2015 levels for over a decade. The new fees reflect the actual cost of operating the background check program, with no ongoing government subsidy.
Is ClientView making more money from this increase?
No. The AusCheck background check fee is a direct government charge that ClientView passes through to applicants at cost. ClientView's own service fee has not increased. The entire price change is attributable to the AusCheck fee set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Does the increase affect 2-year MSIC renewals as well as 4-year cards?
Yes. The fee increase applies to both durations. The 2-year adult fee has increased from $92 to $262 (185%), and the 4-year adult fee has increased from $184 to $504.50 (274%).
What if I miss the 20 June deadline?
Applications submitted after 20 June 2026 will be subject to the new AusCheck fees effective 1 July 2026. If you miss the deadline, the higher rate will apply to your application.
Can I provide feedback to the Department of Home Affairs?
Yes. The Department has published a feedback address for industry and individual input: AusCheck.Engagements@homeaffairs.gov.au.
Will MSIC prices come down in future?
There is no current indication from the Department of Home Affairs that these fees will be reduced. The transition to full cost recovery is a structural policy change. Any future adjustment would require a decision by the Department or action by Parliament.
