Program Description

Upon successful completion of this program you will be eligible to apply for your Investigator’s Licence through your State licensing authority.  Please contact us for details.

Requirements to Achieve Qualification

NATIONAL TRAINING PACKAGE: CPP07- Property Service

CPP30607  Certificate III in Investigative Services

Private Investigator

Requirements to Achieve Qualification:

Core: 12

Electives: 3

Your Licensing Authority may require additional subjects to be covered.

 

Core Units BSBFLM303C  Contribute to effective workplace relationships BSBWOR301A Organise personal work priorities and development CPPSEC3001A  Maintain workplace safety in the security industry CPPSEC3009A  Prepare and present evidence in court CPPSEC3026A  Work effectively in the investigative services industry CPPSEC3027A  Develop investigative plan CPPSEC3028A  Compile investigative report CPPSEC3029A  Provide quality investigative services to clients CPPSEC3030A  Conduct surveillance CPPSEC3031A  Organise and operate a surveillance vehicle CPPSEC3032A  Gather information by factual investigation CPPSEC3033A  Conduct interviews and take statements	Licensing Requirements -  Elective Units
	Please note that the following Electives are mandated for licensing in NSW CPPSEC3034A Operate information gathering equipment CPPSEC3012A Store and protect information
	Please note that the following Electives are mandated for licensing in Vic FNSMERC304B  Locate subjects CPPSEC3034A  Operate information gathering equipment CPPSEC3012A  Store and protect information
	Please note that the following Electives are mandated for licensing in Qld FNSMERC304B  Locate subjects CPPSEC3034A  Operate information gathering equipment CPPSEC3012A  Store and protect information
Elective Units BSBSMB301A  Investigate micro business opportunities CPPSEC3012A  Store and protect information CPPSEC3034A  Operate information gathering equipment FNSMERC304B  Locate subjects PSPPOL404A  Support policy implementation PSPREG401C  Exercise regulatory powers
	Please note that the following Elective is  mandated for licensing in SA CPPSEC3012A  Store and protect information
	Please note that the following Electives are mandated for licensing in Tas CPPSEC3002A Manage conflict through negotiation CPPSEC3034A  Operate information gathering equipment

 

After you receive your Certificate III you will then have to apply for a license.  Once in receipt of your license you may apply to Inquiry Agents / Private Investigation firms for employment or contract work.  I would advise you to survey your local area/region for employment prospects and check out the market before commencing the course. 

The course is divided into four modules for training purposes.

Module 1. Prepare and Present Evidence in Court.  Introduces you to the language of the legal and investigative environments, the concept of evidence, how to manage it, and how to present it in court.

Module 2. Conduct Factual Investigations.  Takes you through the planning, conduct and finalisation of  factual investigations in a range of situations.

Module 3. Conduct Surveillance Investigations.   Takes you through the planning, conduct and finalisation of surveillance investigations in a range of situations.

Module 4. Professional Development. Covers a number of professional development topics including performance management and continuous improvement.

Career Opportunities.  Completing this program will help you to secure employment in areas such as Insurance Fraud, Corporate Investigations or the Government Investigative Sector (except Police). This Qualification replaces the previous Certificate II, Certificate III and Certificate IV in Investigative Services and is viewed as the minimum level of training required to work in Private Investigations.

Licensing requirements

The following guidance has been received from the State licensing authorities:

WA:

It has come to our attention that applicants for security licences cannot meet the five year probity requirement as outlined in the letter sent to you in February 2007.

It is your responsibility to ensure your students are eligible to be granted a security licence prior to commencing any course provided by you.

Any applicant who cannot comply with this requirement will not be granted a licence.

The five year requirement is.

If a person has not resided in Australia for five years prior to making an application for a licence, the person must supply a Police or Security clearance from the country or countries they have resided in during that 5 year period.

If the person is an Australian citizen and has been absent from Australia for a period of 12 months or more prior to making the licence application, the person must supply a Police or Security clearance from the countries they stayed in.

This policy will be strictly adhered too.        

VIC

Licensing requirements:

• Investigator applicants must complete the appropriate training for the activity of investigator
• Persons can apply for multiple activities under one licence, providing all training competencies are met (ie. investigator and security guard). A discounted rate applies for multiple activities when applied for at the same time.
• Probity requirements (criminal history check) must be fulfilled. Certain offences prohibit persons from obtaining a licence (visit the Probity link on the right side of this page).
• Conditions may be placed on licences. Conditions may relate to training, supervision or case-by-case circumstances.
• Arrangements have been made to assist with the transition for current licence holders to meet new licensing and training requirements.

On approval, a plastic licence card will be issued detailing all licensed activities and conditions, the supervisory expiry date and the licence expiry date. This card must be carried at all times while working.

NSW

The following offences are grounds for mandatory refusal of an application for a CAPI licence (including a Master licence) if the applicant (or close associate in the case of a Master Licence) was convicted within the last ten years or found guilty (with no conviction recorded) within the last 5 years of:

Offences involving violence, fraud, dishonesty or theft, being an offence punishable by imprisonment
Offences involving the unlawful possession or use of a firearm or other weapon
Offences involving the unlawful possession or use of a drug
Offences under Part 2 of the Listening Devices Act 1984, or under corresponding provisions of the law of the Commonwealth or of another State or Territory
Offences under the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 of the Commonwealth

In the case of a Master licence holder, an application may also be refused if the licence holder, close associates or company named on the application has been found guilty of any of the above offences.

QLD

Below is an outline of the new licence application process:

1.      Application lodged with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General

2.      Application assessed for completeness

3.      If incomplete and missing key information (eg. proof of identity, fees or photograph) the application is returned to the applicant to be completed. If the applicant does not return the application within 30 days, fees paid will be refunded

4.      If incomplete and missing minor items, the applicant will be sent a letter requesting outstanding items. If the applicant does not respond within the 30 days the application will be withdrawn and any fees paid will be refunded less a processing fee.

5.      Criminal history check requested (provided the criminal history fee is paid)

6.      Criminal history report received and assessed

7.      If complete and the applicant is a suitable person, the application is granted.

SA

If you intend to work as an employee you are entitled to hold a licence if you:

• hold the approved qualifications
• are not suspended or disqualified from practising or carrying on an occupation, trade or business
• have not been convicted of an offence listed in Schedule 1 of the Regulations and
• are a fit and proper person.

If you intend to operate a business you are entitled to hold a licence if you:

• hold the approved qualifications (or one of your business partners is qualified);
• have sufficient business knowledge, experience and financial resources (or together your business partnership does)

• are not suspended or disqualified from practising or carrying on an occupation, trade or business
• are not an undischarged bankrupt or have not been subject to a composition or deed or scheme of arrangement with or for the benefit of creditors
• have not, during the period of five years preceding the application for a licence, been a director for a body corporate that has been wound-up for the benefit of creditors
• have not been convicted of an offence listed in Schedule 1 of the Regulations and
• are a fit and proper person.

TAS

How long will it take to get my licence? 

Consumer Affairs understands the need to process your licence as quickly as possible and has an application processing time of around 4 weeks (this includes the time for Tasmania Police to conduct their report which generally takes them 3 weeks).    

When an application is correct, we are required under Section 7(2) of the Act, to send a copy to Tasmania Police.  The Commissioner of Police will report back to this office any matters that he thinks may affect the issuing of a licence.   

All applicants must allow at least four weeks from the date of lodgement before enquiring on the progress of an application.  

You can assist the department to process your application as quickly as possible by ensuring you complete the application form fully, sign the declaration and ensure that all the required supporting documents are supplied.

Applications that are not completed correctly or are missing supporting documentation will be returned, or you will be sent a letter asking you to address the issues.  This will delay the processing time of your application.

NT

Application for Licence of a Commercial & Private Agent

Natural Person Checklist

•    Completion of Form 2 - Application by a Natural Person. Please ensure this is filled in correctly as an incomplete form will not be processed.

•    Confirmation of lodgement of your “Authority to Release Criminal History” in the form of receipt. The form must be lodged directly with a police station and a $30 fee applies for each criminal history check and must be paid on lodgment.

•    A certified copy, or an extract, of your Birth Certificate.

•    Two separate testimonials signed by reputable persons as to the applicant’s character.

•    The prescribed processing fee of $100 per licence (Please note GST exempt).

•    The granting fee is $90 per category. (This is only paid if licence is granted).

•    Copy of current identification i.e. Driver’s Licence, Passport or Birth Certificate.

•    A copy of the newspaper advertisement published in accordance with Regulation 12 of the Commercial and Private Agents Licensing Regulations. (See the Guide to Advertising for more details).