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A SCEC Class B container is a security container approved by the Security Construction and Equipment Committee (SCEC) for storing security classified Australian Government information. Under the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), Class A gives the highest level of protection, Class B sits in the middle and is a robust filing cabinet or compactus fitted with a combination lock, and Class C is a lighter container with a SCEC-approved restricted keyed lock. Which one you need depends on the classification of the information and the Security Zone it is stored in.
This article focuses on the practical side: what each class protects, how zones decide the class, and what to think about when buying. For how SCEC approval fits alongside cash ratings, fire ratings and other standards, see our complete guide to safe ratings and standards.
What SCEC Approval Means
SCEC is a standing inter-departmental committee responsible for evaluating security equipment for Australian Government use. Its equipment evaluation program is managed by ASIO’s T4 Protective Security, which also oversees the SCEC Security Zone Consultant, Approved Locksmith and endorsed courier schemes.
Products that pass evaluation are listed in the Security Equipment Evaluated Products List (SEEPL). The PSPF explains that evaluated products are given a security level rating from SL1 to SL4, where SL4 offers a high level of security and SL1 the lowest acceptable level for government use. The SEEPL is not a public catalogue. According to the SCEC website, it is available to government agencies, SCEC Security Zone Consultants, SCEC Approved Locksmiths and certain other approved users, and most evaluated products are intended for PSPF Zones 3 to 5.
If you want the broader background on why the scheme exists, our earlier article on SCEC standards and national security covers it. Here we stay with the containers themselves.
SCEC Class A, B and C Containers Compared
The PSPF Release 2026 describes the three levels of SCEC-approved container as follows. The wording is summarised from the framework; your agency’s security adviser has the final say on which class applies.
| Class | What the PSPF says it protects | Construction and lock |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Information with an extreme or catastrophic business impact level in situations assessed as high risk | Can be extremely heavy and may not suit facilities with limited floor loadings |
| Class B | Extreme or catastrophic impact information in low-risk situations, and high or extreme impact information in higher-risk situations | Robust filing cabinets or compactuses fitted with combination locks; heavy and lighter models exist |
| Class C | Information up to an extreme impact level in low-risk situations, and medium impact information in higher-risk situations | Fitted with a SCEC-approved restricted keyed lock; similar construction to the lighter Class B models |
Class A containers
Class A is the top tier, used where the information is extremely sensitive and the risk assessment is high. Weight is the practical issue. The PSPF warns that these containers may not be suitable in some facilities because of floor loading limits, so a structural check is often part of the planning.
The SCEC Class B container
Class B is the workhorse for higher-classified material. The PSPF notes two broad types: heavy constructed models that suit locations with few other physical controls, and lighter constructed models intended to be used alongside other physical security measures. Size and weight need to be considered when choosing a location. Class B containers use combination locks, and SCEC separately evaluates Class A and Class B high security combination locks for resistance to covert and surreptitious opening.
Class C containers
Class C uses a restricted keyed lock rather than a combination lock, and its construction is similar to the lighter Class B models. It is commonly specified for lower classifications or for higher classifications in a more secure zone.
How Security Zones Decide the Class
The PSPF divides facilities into five Security Zones. Zone One has unrestricted public access. Zone Two restricts public access. Zones Three to Five have no public access, with visitors escorted, and Zones Four and Five also require personnel to hold an appropriate security clearance, with Zone Five using dual factor authentication for access control.
The higher the zone, the more the building itself protects the information, so a lighter container may be enough. The table below summarises the PSPF Release 2026 minimum storage requirements for physical (hard copy) information inside entity facilities.
| Zone | PROTECTED | SECRET | TOP SECRET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone One | Not to be stored | Not to be stored | Not to be stored |
| Zone Two | Class C container | Not to be stored | Not to be stored |
| Zone Three | Lockable container | Class B container | No, except in exceptional circumstances in a Class A container for a maximum of 5 days |
| Zone Four | Lockable container | Class C container | Class B container, maximum 5 days |
| Zone Five | Lockable container | Class C container | Class B container |
OFFICIAL: Sensitive information generally needs a lockable container or entity procedures rather than a SCEC class. Separate tables apply to technology assets such as servers and ICT equipment, to information held outside entity facilities, and to caveated material, so do not use this summary as a substitute for the current PSPF release. The PSPF is updated regularly and requirements change, so confirm with your agency security adviser before you buy.
Who Needs SCEC Containers
The PSPF Directive requires non-corporate Commonwealth entities subject to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 to comply with the framework. Other buyers we commonly hear from include:
- State and territory agencies, which have their own protective security frameworks that often use the same container classes.
- Contractors and consultants who store classified material under a government contract, where the container class is usually set out in the contract or security arrangements.
- Agencies refitting offices or moving buildings, where a change in zone can change the container class required.
If you are unsure whether your situation needs a SCEC container at all, start with your agency or contract security officer.
SCEC Containers Are Not Cash Safes
This is the point that surprises most buyers. The PSPF states that SCEC-approved containers are for security classified information and resources, and are not intended for other valuable, attractive or dangerous items. Their design gives a high level of tamper evidence against covert attack and significant delay against surreptitious attack, but limited protection against forcible attack.
In other words, a SCEC container is built so that nobody can secretly access the files without it being obvious. A cash rated safe is built to resist brute force for as long as possible. For money, drugs or valuable equipment, the PSPF points to commercial safes and vaults instead, and refers to AS 3809 commercial, medium, high and very high security categories for higher-value resources. Our defensive overview of the attack methods safes are designed to resist explains why those two design goals produce very different products.
Buying a SCEC Class B Container (or Class A or C): Practical Checks
- Confirm the class in writing. Get the required class from your security adviser based on the classification and zone.
- Check the approval. Make sure the model is SCEC approved for the class you need. Our guide on checking whether a safe or container is genuinely rated covers labels and documentation.
- Measure and check floor loading. Class A and heavy Class B units are very heavy. Confirm the floor, lift and doorway access before ordering.
- Choose the format. Drawer filing cabinets suit hanging files, while door models suit boxes, media and odd-shaped items.
- Plan delivery and placement. These containers often need specialist equipment to move. Our safe relocation and moving service handles relocations of heavy security containers between floors and buildings.
Price guide from our range
Our SCEC and government security container range includes Class A, B and C filing cabinets, door models and strongroom doors. At the time of writing, a SCEC Class C 1 drawer cabinet starts from around $2,808, the SCEC Class B 2 drawer cabinet from around $6,266, and the CMI Class A high security filing cabinet G-CA2 from around $10,756. Prices change, so check the product page or call us for a current quote. We also accept purchase orders from government agencies.
Servicing and disposal
SCEC runs an Approved Locksmith scheme. Ask your agency security adviser who is permitted to service, change combinations on or open your containers. When a container is decommissioned, the PSPF says its combination locks need to be reset to factory settings and the container inspected to make sure all contents have been removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a SCEC Class B container?
It is a SCEC-approved security container for Australian Government classified information. The PSPF describes Class B as robust filing cabinets or compactuses fitted with combination locks, used for extreme or catastrophic impact information in low-risk situations and for high or extreme impact information in higher-risk situations. Heavy and lighter constructed models exist for different levels of surrounding security.
What is the difference between SCEC Class B and Class C?
Class B containers use combination locks and offer a higher level of protection, with heavy and lighter models available. Class C containers use a SCEC-approved restricted keyed lock and are of similar construction to the lighter Class B models. Class C covers lower impact levels or higher classifications stored inside more secure Security Zones.
Can I use a SCEC container to store cash?
It is not what they are designed for. The PSPF says SCEC containers are for security classified information and resources, not other valuable or attractive items, and that they give limited protection against forcible attack. For cash, jewellery or drugs, choose a commercial safe with a suitable cash rating or burglary grade instead.
Is the SEEPL publicly available?
No. The Security Equipment Evaluated Products List is available to Australian Government agencies, SCEC Security Zone Consultants, SCEC Approved Locksmiths and certain other approved users. Companies working on government projects can apply for access through the SCEC website with supporting documents. If you cannot access it, ask your agency security adviser to confirm a model.
Talk to Us About SCEC Containers
We supply SCEC Class A, B and C containers to government and commercial clients, and you are welcome to inspect models at our showroom at 38 Barrie Rd, Tullamarine, where over 350 new and used safes are on display. Call 0409 860 011 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or ask us for a SCEC container quote, and tell us the class, format and delivery address you need.
