Certificate Course

CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services

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About the Course

Aspiring to become a licensed private investigator starts with the CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services, the essential course for this career path. Recognised as the licensing requirement in most states (Victorian and Western Australian students should contact us, before enrolling), this qualification marks your first step toward a professional investigative career. To ensure top-quality training and certification, select a registered training organisation like the Professional Investigators College of Australasia.

Professional Investigators College of Australasia Pty Ltd is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) 40789 and has approval to deliver training and/or assessment in CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services in most states.

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$1,699

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  • Online self-paced learning
  • 12 months access
  • Nationally accredited course
  • Certificate of completion

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CPP30619 Certificate III In Investigative Services Course Outline

To achieve this qualification, (CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services) the candidate must demonstrate competency in 16 units of competency: 5 core units and 11 elective units.

Course Units

Click on the unit code for a brief unit description.

Work effectively in investigative services

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to work effectively in investigative services. It includes interpreting and applying legal and procedural requirements governing investigative services, understanding regulatory powers provided under the legislation and acts and omissions that comprise non-compliance or offences. It also includes contributing to positive workplace relationships with colleagues and clients, modelling high standards of performance and developing and maintaining competence in investigative services.

Develop investigation plans

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to develop and document an investigation plan. It includes scoping investigation parameters, selecting investigation methodologies based on factual and surveillance techniques, and ensuring legal compliance for investigative and evidence collection processes.

Investigate and locate subjects

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to locate subjects using investigative search techniques. It includes researching the subject’s background information and possible whereabouts, searching open source intelligence, databases, public records and documentation, and identifying and following leads to trace and locate the subject.

Provide quality investigative services to clients

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to provide quality investigative services to clients. It includes identifying client needs and preferences and negotiating to offer factual or surveillance investigation options to meet client requirements. It includes delivering and monitoring investigative services, gathering and organising investigative evidence, and implementing contingency measures to respond to problems and changing circumstances. The unit requires reviewing client satisfaction, handling complaints and using feedback as the basis for improved service delivery.

Conduct factual investigations

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to conduct factual investigations. It includes conducting desk-based research and using communication skills to conduct interviews and meetings and take statements to record factual information. The unit requires evidence collection and compliance with evidence management principles. 

Conduct interviews and take statements to support investigations

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to acquire information by interview and take statements to support an investigation. It includes following plans, protocols and procedures to conduct interviews, questioning interviewees to obtain and record facts and details of physical evidence presented, and taking statements in the required legal format. 

Develop factual investigation reports

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to document and present comprehensive information gathered through factual investigation. It includes compiling and presenting information and evidence in the required format and verifying its accuracy and reliability according to chain of custody and rules of evidence requirements. 

Conduct covert surveillance

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to conduct covert surveillance operations using mobile or static surveillance techniques on foot and while operating a vehicle. It includes selecting surveillance methods, equipment, sites and routes, and applying contingency options where surveillance integrity is compromised. The unit requires evidence collection and compliance with evidence management principles. 

Organise and operate surveillance vehicles

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to conduct covert surveillance operations using mobile or static surveillance techniques that may include operating a surveillance vehicle. It includes selecting surveillance methods, equipment, sites and routes, and applying contingency options where surveillance integrity is compromised. The unit requires collection of evidence and compliance with admissibility rules. 

Develop surveillance investigation reports

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to document and present comprehensive information gathered through covert surveillance. It includes compiling and presenting information and evidence in the required format and verifying its accuracy and reliability according to continuity of evidence and rules of evidence requirements. 

Prepare and present evidence in court

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to prepare and present evidence in court.

It requires:

  • sourcing, organising and checking security information to be used as evidence in court proceedings, and checking compliance against rules of evidence and evidence management principles to ensure admissibility
  • participating in oral briefing sessions, submitting evidence briefs and preparing documentation and exhibits
  • adhering to court procedures and protocols such as those relating to personal presentation, manner and language
  • presenting evidence in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner and providing specialist opinion on request.
 

Address compliance requirements for new business ventures

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to source advice and specialist services to assist in addressing business compliance relating to regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements.

Maintain work health and safety

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team.

This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice. 

Handling sensitive information

This unit describes the skills required to receive, deal with, maintain and dispose of sensitive information.

This unit applies to those working in a security role where they would receive, deal with and maintain sensitive information.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to. 

Compile and use official notes

This unit describes the skills required to keep notes and use them to give evidence in court, prepare statements and compile reports, including incident reports. It includes applying knowledge of the essential elements of note taking, statement and report preparation; and legislative and organisational requirements for the structure and content of official reports.

This unit applies to those working within the court system operating under procedures set by the court.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those set by the court. 

Produce formal record of interview

This unit describes the skills required to produce formal records of interview. It includes preparing for, conducting and record interviews.

This unit applies to those working in public sector roles conducting regulatory activities.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to WHS and environment in the context of conducting interviews.

Course Information

This section outlines everything you need to know before getting started, including important enrolment details, course structure, and what to expect during your certificate course. Whether you’re new to the field or bringing existing experience, you’ll find clear guidance to help you take the next step with confidence.

While there are no entry requirements for this qualification (CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services) you will need, computer skills, writing skills and some maths.

This qualification requires you to complete a language, literacy and numeracy test.

Written Assessments

  • Knowledge-based questions
  • Case study analysis
  • Report writing (e.g., factual investigation reports, surveillance reports)
  •  

Practical Assessments

  • Role-play scenarios (e.g., conducting interviews, taking statements)
  • Surveillance simulations (including use of surveillance vehicles)
  • Evidence presentation (e.g., mock court presentations)

Audio/Visual Submissions

  • Video-recorded role plays or interviews
  • Demonstrations of investigative techniques

You need a USI (Unique Student Identifier) number regardless of the course you’re studying. If you don’t have a USI? Click here to apply for your free USI. There’s no cost, and once you have it, you’ll use the same number for all future studies. You can also use the same link to find your USI if you have one but you’ve forgotten it.

Benefits to you as a student:

  • The USI will link information about your VET achievements regardless of where you have studied
  • Enable easier access to secure digital transcripts of your achievements
  • Give you more access to, and more control over your educational information
  • Easier for you to find, collate and authenticate your VET achievements into a single transcript
  • Ensure your records are not lost

Please note that if you do not supply Professional Investigators College of Australasia with a USI number, PICA is not legally able to issue you with your Statement of Attainment or qualification certificate.

Resources Required for this Course (CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services)

  • Computer
  • Broadband internet connection
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Access to a printer
  • Access to a scanner

Your practical assessments will require you to simulate actual workplace tasks and resources which relate to the unit of competency.

Hence, you must have access to:

  • a vehicle
  • a video camera or other video recording device
  • a mobile phone
  • a volunteer with their own vehicle who can assist you with the surveillance assignment
  • a driver’s licence (minimum – provisional licence).
    PLEASE NOTE: It is a requirement for you to provide PICA with a certified copy of your driver’s licence. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us
  • a volunteer willing to be the subject of a static surveillance assignment

This nationally recognised qualification (CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services) is available via online self-paced learning methods. E- learning students have 12 months from the date of enrolment to complete the qualification.

Because everyone learns at different rates, the duration of the course will vary depending upon the hours that you dedicate to your studies.

  • Total nominal hours: 349 hours
  • Volume of Learning: 1-2 years or 1200-2400 hours
  • Full time load 25hr a week

Maximum duration of the course 12 months access (extension can be purchased).

Please note: If you require this qualification (CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services) to obtain a Security (Private Inquiry) license you will need to refer to your local licensing authority for the most up-to-date licensing requirements for your state.

Generally you must be 18 years or age or older and have had no criminal convictions in the previous 10 years to be eligible for a private inquiry agents license.

Please follow these links for further information.

This nationally recognised qualification (CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services) teaches the skills and knowledge you need to know to solve complex and simple problems while working as a private investigator.

Your career prospects are:

  • Private Investigator
  • Private Inquiry Agent
  • Detective
  • Skip Tracer
  • Fraud Investigator
  • Workplace Investigator
  • Covert Surveillance operative
  • Factual Interviewer

Participants with previous experience may apply for a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment. This alternate assessment method may reduce the amount of time required to complete this qualification. Refer to the video below for more information on Recognition of Prior Learning.

What is RPL and How Does It Work?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) lets you gain credit towards a qualification based on your existing skills and experience. It saves you time and effort by recognising what you already know.

If you’ve worked in investigations, security, or a related field, you may already meet the requirements of a course. You simply provide evidence such as work history, training, or references.

An assessor will review your experience and map it against the course criteria.

Payment and Enrolment

Professional Investigators College of Australasia is committed towards its obligations for fee transparency, two easy fee payment options. Our refund policy can be found in our Student Handbook.

$1,699

Pay 50% now, 50% in 3 days.

Option 1
Certificate III in Investigative Services

  • Discount for paying within 3 days
  • $849.50 upfront + $849.50 three days later
  • Total Cost $1,699.00
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$2,025

Affordable monthly payments

Option 2
Certificate III in Investigative Services

  • 9 easy monthly payments
  • 9 monthly payments of $225
  • Total Cost $2,025.00
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Need to Get Your USI?

Recover or Register your USI

Your USI is your lifelong student ID that keeps all your training records together. If you’ve studied before, you may already have one. If not, it only takes a couple of minutes to register.

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Important Notice for Victorian and Western Australian Students

PICA delivers the Certificate III in Investigative Services in line with national training package requirements.

If you live in Victoria or Western Australia and are seeking an individual investigator licence, you MUST contact your state licensing authority before enrolling. Some regulators require training to be completed through specific approved providers.

This requirement only applies to the Certificate III in Investigative Services in Victoria and Western Australia. It does not affect any other PICA courses.
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