How to become a Private Investigator

Conducts investigations for clients regarding legal, financial and personal matters, and prepares evidence for court proceedings.

Main tasks

• Conducts interviews and gathers information from various sources, including public records and databases, to investigate cases regarding legal, financial and personal matters
• Conducts surveillance and observes individuals to gather evidence
• Makes enquiries concerning property and investigates insurance claims
• Seeks, obtains and supplies information pertaining to the personal character, financial position, occupation or whereabouts of any person
• Collects and analyses data and evidence, and prepares detailed reports and documentation of findings
• Collaborates with law enforcement agencies and Legal Professionals
• Testifies in court and presents evidence during legal proceedings
• Maintains client confidentiality and ensures the security of sensitive information
• Uses specialised equipment and technology, such as binoculars, microphones and video or audio recording devices to obtain evidence for investigations

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Investigative Services (CPP30619); Certificate III in Legal Services (BSB30320)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $94,536 a year
• About 65,300 people work in this job group now, and about 72,200 are projected by 2035. (+10.6%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Private Investigator?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Investigative Services; Certificate III in Legal Services.

How much does a Private Investigator earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $94,536 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Private Investigator a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 65,300 to about 72,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Private Investigator?

Not always. 29% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Investigative Services; Certificate III in Legal Services.

Will AI change the work of a Private Investigator?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04