How do I get a private investigators licence in South Australia?
Private investigators in South Australia hold a Private Agents licenses administered by the Office of Consumer & Business Affairs, under the Security and Investigation Agents Act (1995).
Licences
If you intend operating a business as an individual you will need to hold a licence and collectively meet the licensing requirements.
If you intend operating a business in partnership, each of the partners needs to hold a licence and show that they collectively meet the criteria.
If you intend operating the business through a company (body corporate), the company must apply for a licence and nominate a manager for the business.
You are considered to be acting as an investigation agent if you perform one or more of the following work functions:
• Collection work associated with:
• ascertaining the whereabouts of or repossessing goods that are subject to a security interest;
• collecting or requesting the payment of debts;
• executing legal process for the enforcement of a judgement or order of a court;
Or if you undertake Inquiry work associated with:
• obtaining or providing (without the written consent of a person) information about the personal character or actions of the person, or about the business or occupation of the person; or
•obtaining evidence for the purpose of legal proceedings (whether the proceedings have been commenced or are prospective).
Licence not required - The Act does not apply to a wide range of people. You are not required to hold a licence as a security agent or investigation agent if you are:
•a sheriff, deputy sheriff, sheriff's officer, bailiff or other officer of a court or tribunal, while performing official functions;
•a person who holds the required qualifications in loss adjusting while practising as a loss adjuster;
•employed as a shop assistant who provides advice on security alarm or surveillance systems only as an incidental part of their duties; or
•acting in the ordinary course of the profession or business and you are
•a person registered as an agent under the Land Agents Act 1994;
•a person who practises as a legal practitioner, or
Training requirements and restrictions.
Before you can become a Investigator in South Australia you are required to complete the training and submit evidence of certification with your licence application form. Certificate III in Investigative Services is the entry-level training requirement for licensing of investigators in South Australia.
Certificate III in Investigative Services is the training and educational requirement.
Certificate III in Investigative Services is the training requirement for the private investigations industry throughout Australia. This course will teach you and develope your skills in planning and conducting an investigation. You will also learn how to coordinate work teams in an investigation industry context. It can generally be completed in 12 weeks on a part time study basis. It can also be undertaken on a full time capacity.
Training of Certificate III in Investigative Services and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
There are a number of training organisations in Australia that deliver this training and prices vary. You may also be eligible to obtain this certificate through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as recognition of your previous employment and learning. e.g. Policing, security or enforcement.
Speak to us at Investigator Recruitment for more information about Registered Training Organisations and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Click  to visit the Office of Consumer & Business Affairs for more information.
Or, speak to us at Investigator Recruitment to get a market perspective. We are not legal experts in licencing legislation and we will ultimately direct you to the Office of Consumer & Business Affairs. However, we can provide you with information about licencing and training from an employment perspective. We will try to guide you in the right direction regarding the Australian Commercial and Private Investigation employment sector. | 
