The ACT does not yet require private investigators to be licensed, however, plans are underway toward licensing.

However, in practice, insurance companies and other organisations prefer to deal with licensed private investigators and therefore it is recommended to obtain a license under NSW legislation.

As of the 1 May, 2006 the licensing of Private Inquiry Agents and Investigators was over from the NSW Courts Administration to the New South Wales Police Security Industry Registry.

The Pre Requisite for the issue of a license is the PRS30303 Certificate III in Investigative Services as issued by the Australian School of Security and Investigations.

OPERATOR LICENCE – GENERAL INFORMATION
Operator licences are required for any person that engages in Commercial Agent and/or Private Inquiry Agent (CAPI) activities including Process Serving, Debt Collection, Repossession of Goods, Surveillance of Persons and Investigation of Persons.

Recently (2007), a clarification was released by CAPI on their website which requires that Licensees must be employed by the holder of a Master licence (not subcontracting), or hold an Individual Master licence themselves.

A person’s first operator licence (probationary licence) is issued subject to a condition that the licensee may carry out the activities authorised by the licence only under the immediate supervision of the holder of a Master licence or the holder of an unrestricted operator licence and the probationer must be employed (not sub contract) by a Master licence holder with the correct class license.

There is also a requirement that new licence holders work under a probationary licence for a period of 12 months. During this period of time probationary license holder will be required to work under the supervision of a full licence holder. This supervison can be carried out by telephone or radio as long as there is no delay by the full license holder in responding to any queires from the probationary license holder.

Applicants will also need to prove they are a fit and proper person to hold a license and undergo a National criminal history check by the police before a license is issued. There is a requirement that all investigators are fingerprinted.

Investigators who currently hold a license under the previous legislation and which was issued by the courts will have to obtain a Certificate III in Investigative Services within 12 months of renewing their license. ASSI recognises current competency and prior learning through its RPL program.

A full summary of the requirments can be viewed at the website:

www.police.nsw.gov.au/sir

Once on the site go to the CAPI link on the right hand side of the screen.

For further information on any licensing matters and/or whether you qualify for a Recognition of Current Competency contact the Australian School of Security and Investigations at manager@trainingschool.com.au

Did you know that if you are renewing your licence in NSW you will need to obtain a Certificate III in Investigative Services?

ASSI offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to experienced investigators - Contact the school for more information.

Private investigators obtain licences from the local courts under the Commercial and Private Agents Licensing Act 1979.

The applicant must be at least 18 years old, not a bankrupt and there are provisions for other persons to object to an application.

Under new legislation administration of licences passed to the Consumer Affairs Office.

Private Investigator Licenses in Queensland are administered by the Office of Fair Trading (QLD), under the Security Providers Act (1993).

Eligibility requirements apply and applicants must meet the following criteria:

18 years or more; and successfully completed a training course approved by the Chief Executive; and must be an appropriate person to hold the licence.

The Certificate III in Investigations offered by the Australian School of Security and Investigations is a course approved by the Chief Executive.

For more information visit the website

Office of Fair Trading

21st Floor
State Law Building
Cnr Ann & George Streets
Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3246-1531

Investigation Agents licenses are administered by the Office of Consumer & Business Affairs, under the Security and Investigation Agents Act (1995).

The OBCA has provided a well detailed Web Site detailing the requirements to obtain your licence. For further information visit the website
Office of Consumer & Business Affairs

Head Office (Adelaide)
Business & Occupational Services
Office of Consumer and Business Affairs
Level 3, Chesser House
91-97 Grenfell Street
ADELAIDE
Phone:
Commercial & Other Licenses (08) 8204 9686

Private Investigator Licenses in Tasmania are administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs (Business Affairs Department) Tasmania.

Applicants apply for a licence with the Consumer Affairs department. The applicant must pass a Criminal record check, then a licence is granted. Applicants must then complete a minimum Certificate III in Investigations within 12 months of the licence being issued otherwise the licence will be revoked. The current licence fee is $518.70

Eligibility requirements apply and applicants must meet the following criteria:

Successfully completed a Certificate III in Investigations training course within 12 months of the licence being issued.

Able to satisfy a Criminal record check
The Certificate III in Investigations offered by the Australian School of Security and Investigations are courses approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

For more information and to download an application form please visit the web site at:

www.consumer.tas.gov.au/businessaffairs/securityagents

Private Agents licenses are controlled and issued by the Private Agents Registry (Victorian Police), under the Private Agency Act (1966).

As from 1 July, 2004, all applicants will be required to hold the Certificate III in Investigations before a license application will be considered

The Australian School of Security and Investigations delivers training for the Certificate III in Investigations which is accredited for licensing by the Private Agents Registry (Victorian Police),

The new licensing requirements are set out in the Private Security Act 2004

You can download the Private Security Act 2004 at the following link

www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/psa2004217/

For further information contact ASSI or;

Private Agents Registry
11th Floor
Flinders Tower
World Trade Centre
637 Flinders Street
Melbourne VIC 3005
Phone: (03) 9247-3737
Fax: (03) 9247-3731

As from 1 July, 2004, all applicants will be required to hold the Certificate III in Investigations before a license application will be considered

The Australian School of Security and Investigations delivers training for the Certificate III in Investigations which is accredited for licensing by the Western Australian Police Service.

To practise as an investigator, applicants must obtain an Investigator Licence under the Security and Related Activities Control Act. This is issued through the Commercial Agents Squad, Hay Street, Perth (Perth Police Department).

The applicant must also demonstrate that he/she is of good character and a fit and proper person to hold a license. In many instances persons with criminal records are able to obtain a license if they can still demonstrate they are of good character.

In order to obtain a Private Inquiry Agent (as opposed to an investigator) license in WA all applicants are required to sit a short test. Applicants will also be required to supply two character references and 4 passport size photographs

Please contact the Commercial Agents Squad, Hay Street, Perth for more information


IN SUMMARY:

Inquiry Agents and Investigators are licensed by the Western Australian Police Service, administered by the Commercial Agents Branch, under the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act (1996).

There are two forms of license:

Inquiry Agent: A person who can engage investigator's to carry out the investigations, but may not carry out the work themselves unless they are also a licensed Investigator.

Investigator: A person who is engaged by an Inquiry Agent to carry out investigations.

For more information contact:

Commercial Agents Squad
297 Hay St East
Perth WA 6004
Phone: (08) 9231 7199