Home-Based investigator: background checks and locates
Do background checks, people tracing and open-source research from home for lawyers and businesses.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Desk-based investigation from a home office: tracing people, checking public records, business and asset searches, and open-source research, ending in a written report. Little or no surveillance is needed.
Your first three steps
- Check your state or territory's licensing body to see whether desk-based investigation work needs a private investigator licence, and complete any required training
- Set up a secure home office, your ABN, and quotes for professional indemnity insurance
- Create a simple price list for common reports and send it to local law firms and process servers
Who pays
Law firms, debt recovery and process-serving firms, small businesses vetting partners or staff, and individuals trying to find someone.
How it makes money
Fixed fee per search or report, or an hourly rate for longer research jobs. Regular work from a few law firms can build a steady base.
Skills that help
- Careful online and records research
- Clear report writing
- Organised case notes
- Discretion and good judgement
Watch out for
- Licensing rules differ by state and territory, so check whether your work is covered before you start
- Privacy and data protection laws limit what information you can collect, use and pass on
- Check council rules for running a business from home
- Professional indemnity insurance in case a report is wrong or challenged
- Keep client information secure and confidential
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: home-based investigator: background checks and locates
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a home-based investigator business in Australia?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your research tools, insurance and setup. Check what professional indemnity cover and other items you need before you begin.
Do I need a licence to do background checks and people tracing in Australia?
Licensing rules differ by state and territory, so check whether your work is covered before you start. Also check privacy and data protection laws on collecting and passing on information, and council rules for home businesses.
How much can a desk-research investigator earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many clients you win and the kind of work you take on. Estimates assume at least about 10 hours a week.
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