Private investigators are tenacious, ever-curious, and have an excellent eye for detail. They conduct investigations for individual and corporate clients and are often involved in investigative work concerning relationship breakdowns, character enquiries, unfair dismissal cases, insurance claims, and missing persons. Private investigators can also perform the duties of a bailiff or document server.
Pursuing a career as a private investigator is now becoming a popular choice as more and more Australians seek third-party assistance to find people, recover debt, or compile evidence for a court case. This explains why there’s a considerable enrolment rate in private investigator courses like Certificate III in Investigative Services. Stay on this page to learn how to become a detective or private investigator.
What do private investigators do?
To support the points mentioned above, a private investigator conducts research and obtains information for their clients about personal or criminal matters. He is also involved in matters concerning missing persons. A licenced private investigator conducts surveillance to help locate missing persons or witnesses.
After obtaining private or sensitive information about people of interest to their case from witnesses or personal observation, a private investigator then maintains records of his findings. He may also work undercover to gather specific information about or for individuals or companies. His other tasks include conducting asset and liability checks, gathering information on the theft of personal or commercial property, and providing security advice.
Main Tasks and Duties
Private investigators are responsible for:
- Attending court to give evidence;
- Checking laws and policies;
- Taking a briefing from a client;
- Conducting research;
- Surveying a person, place or thing;
- Recording observations;
- Taking evidence in the form of photos or videos to supply to the client;
- Taking statements from witnesses and people who have knowledge of the situation being investigated;
- Writing reports; and
- Presenting progress reports to the client.
Working Conditions
Private investigators are self-employed and usually work for individual clients. However, they may also work with companies and solicitors. They can be seen in offices poring over documents, but they also often work outside, obtaining information about an individual’s whereabouts or behaviour by tracking them.
Private investigators usually travel locally. Sometimes, they may be required to travel greater distances to obtain information for their clients. Private investigators don’t have fixed offs as they work whenever it is necessary, including evenings and weekends.
How to Become a Private Investigator?
You will need to complete a private investigator course to become a private investigator in Australia. Here’s everything you need to follow to become an investigator:
- Undertake a private investigator course or enrol at a Registered Training Organisation to receive a nationally accredited Certificate III in Investigative Services. The course code for this private investigator course is CPP30619
- After obtaining a certificate, enrol in a traineeship with a private investigation company to apply the skills you learned during training and prepare yourself for private investigator jobs in Australia.
- Obtain a private investigator licence from the state regulatory authority. If necessary, you may have to submit a National Police Check. (Note: This depends on the state you plan to work in.)
Steps to Get a Private Investigator Licence
Police departments work with courts to administer and grant licenses across Australian states and territories. Other government bodies in some states and territories are in charge of issuing PI licenses. Below is a guide on how to get a PI licence in Queensland.
In Queensland, the Security Providers Act of 1993 governs private investigators. The Office of Fair Trading QLD is in charge of issuing licenses. The standard eligibility criteria to get a PI license in Queensland are as follows:
- Minimum 18 years of age;
- Successfully completed an OFT-approved training course;
- Must not pose any risk to public safety; and
- Must be an appropriate person to hold the license.
Get in touch with Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading for further information on the licensing requirements.
Become a Private Investigator
If you’re eager to join the investigative services industry, enrol in a private investigator course. The Australian Training Institute offers Certificate III in Investigative Services to prepare you for any private investigator job in Australia. Explore ATI ‘s website to learn more about our course offerings.
