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Private investigator

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A private investigator:

obtains private information about a person without that person’s permission
carries out surveillance to gather information about a person without that person’s consent
investigates the disappearance of a missing person.

You are not a private investigator if you operate for or are employed by:

legal practitioners
accountants
insurance businesses
insurance adjustment agencies
independent investigators engaged to investigate and report on grievances lodged by Queensland public service employees.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a private investigator licence, you must:

be 18 years or older
have no recorded conviction of a disqualifying offence within the previous 10 years, or an unrecorded finding of guilt of a disqualifying offence in the previous five years
not be considered a risk to public safety
have successfully completed a Certificate III in Investigative Service.

Training requirements for a new licence

To qualify for an unrestricted private investigator licence, you must successfully complete the following units of competency from the National Asset Security Training Package.

PRSIS302A or CPPSEC3028A Compile investigative report
PRSIS303A or CPPSEC3029A Provide quality investigative services to clients
PRSIS304A or CPPSEC3030A Conduct surveillance
PRSIS305A or CPPSEC3031A Organise and operate a surveillance vehicle
PRSIS306A or CPPSEC3032A Gather information by factual investigation
PRSIS307A or CPPSEC3033A Conduct interviews and take statements
PRSIS308A or CPPSEC3034A Operate information gathering equipment
PRSSO311A or CPPSEC3009A Prepare and present evidence in court
PRSSO315A or CPPSEC3012A Store and protect information
PRSIS309A Perform administrative functions (For PRS30303 only)
FNSMERC304A Locate subjects (For CPP30607 only)
PRSIS310A Use and maintain operational equipment or CPPSEC3034A Operate information gathering equipment
PRSIS301A Determine method of investigation or CPPSEC3027A Develop investigative plan
PRSSO306A Manage effective workplace relationships or BSBFLM303B Contribute to effective workplace relationships
PRSSO307A Manage own performance and development or BSBCMN302A Organise personal work priorities and development
PRSSO302A Maintain a safe workplace and environment or CPPSEC3001A Maintain workplace safety in the security industry
PRSIS311A Work effectively in the investigative services industry or CPPSEC3026A Work effectively in investigative services

If you have relevant work experience, your skills may be formally recognised, meaning you may not have to complete all of the training units. Skilling Solutions Queensland can do a free skill assessment for you.

Training requirements for renewing a licence

If you held a private investigator licence as at 30 June 2008, you automatically qualify for renewal when it becomes due.

Registered training organisations

You can select a registered training organisation from the list on the National Training and Information Service website.

Restricted licence

You can apply for a restricted licence as a private investigator. This licence allows you to complete your training requirements while working under the direct supervision of a licensed private investigator.

A restricted licence is issued for a term of six months only. After the term ends, you cannot apply for a further restricted licence as a private investigator. You must complete the training requirements and apply for an unrestricted licence within six months.

Direct supervision of restricted licence holders

A private investigator supervisor must:

give the restricted licensee detailed written instructions about the work they need to do
document the tasks that the licensee performs
document and give the restricted licensee regular progress checks.

Apply for a private investigator licence

To apply, you must:

meet the eligibility criteria
complete the training requirements and attach proof of qualifications
complete the Security Providers Form 1-1 - Application for a security provider class 1 individual licence (PDF, 510 KB)
provide originals or certified copies of your birth certificate, birth extract, passport, Australian citizenship certificate or drivers licence (see below for advice on getting certified copies)
pay the appropriate licence fee
pay the criminal history check fee
lodge the application (see the application form for lodgement details).

Criminal history checks

Applicants must undergo a criminal history check to confirm their suitability.

The criminal history check costs $35.50 (which includes $1.13 GST) for each person who appears on the application form. The fee applies to all applications and renewal notices.

Processing time

Processing time is 4-6 weeks. However, it can take longer if we need to contact you for missing information or fees.

The processing time may be up to six weeks because the criminal history check process, handled by Queensland Police, is thorough and time consuming.

Making the process quicker

Send certified documents

Take the original document and a copy to a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declarations, solicitor, barrister or a Notary Public. They will stamp and/or sign the copy and write ‘This is a true copy of the original document’.

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has a list of JPs in your area. Otherwise, contact your local post office, courthouse, bank, shopping centre manager or pharmacy.

We will send your original documents to you after we assess your application. Please note that a photocopy is not a certified document.

Pay all criminal history check fees

Remember to pay a separate fee for yourself and each person on the application form.

Refunds for unsuccessful applications

If your application is unsuccessful or it is withdrawn, you will receive a partial refund. Your application fee is non-refundable, but we will refund your licence fee and any unused criminal history check fees.

Last reviewed 14/09/2009