Bug Sweeping in Canberra

Nobody plans to need an investigator. Surveillance devices have never been cheaper or easier to buy, and they turn up in ordinary situations far more often than people imagine. Our sweeps across Canberra use professional detection equipment and a physical search, because the cheap devices that cause most of the harm are often found by eye rather than by radio. We have been doing this since 2001 and we are not easily surprised by anything you tell us.

Canberra is the national capital and the seat of federal government. Call 1300 773 293 at any hour, or read on for how we handle bug sweeping here.

Common situations we see in Canberra

Negotiations have gone badly in a way that suggests the other side was informed
You have found an unfamiliar device or cable and cannot explain it
A rental property or short stay accommodation feels wrong
An employee has left under bad terms and had access to your premises
You are about to hold a sensitive board or legal meeting
A device has appeared in a shared vehicle

Working in Canberra

Working in Canberra means understanding a planned city of distinct town centres separated by open space. Our operatives plan around that rather than turning up and hoping. Where a matter runs across several days we rotate vehicles and positions so that a familiar car never becomes part of the scenery.

We work regularly across Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, Queanbeyan and Civic, and we travel further into Australian Capital Territory where a matter calls for it.

How the work is actually done in Canberra

We discuss the situation and identify which spaces genuinely need sweeping
We attend discreetly, often outside business hours, so the sweep itself is not advertised
A radio frequency sweep identifies active transmitting devices
We photograph and document anything found in place before it is touched
A physical and optical search covers power points, smoke alarms, fittings, furniture and vehicles
We advise on which conversations to keep out of the space until it is cleared

The cost of bug sweeping in Canberra

Here is how the billing works, without the vagueness. Sweeps are quoted by the number and size of the areas to be covered. A single vehicle or a home office in Canberra is a straightforward fixed fee. A full commercial premises takes longer and is quoted after a short scoping conversation. Travel outside Canberra is charged separately. We will also tell you when we think you are about to spend money for very little return.

Bug Sweeping and the law in Australian Capital Territory

The legal boundaries matter, and a good investigator will raise them before you do. The use of listening and optical devices is controlled in Australian Capital Territory by the Listening Devices Act 1992 (ACT), and installing one to record a private conversation you are not part of is generally a criminal offence. If we locate a device, we advise you on preserving it properly rather than pulling it out, because how it is handled affects whether it can be used later in a police complaint or a court matter. Getting this wrong does not just cost you the evidence. It can expose you personally, which is the opposite of why you called.

This is general information rather than legal advice. If your matter is already before a court, speak to your solicitor about what evidence will assist and we will work to that brief.

About our agency

Before you hand over anything sensitive, here is who we are. Sydney Private Investigations has been operating since 2001 and trades as GORA Investigations Pty Ltd, ABN 34 600 932 438. We hold NSW Master Licence 412080174 and VIC Master Licence Z6583160S. Work in Australian Capital Territory is conducted in accordance with the territory security industry legislation, and where a locally licensed operative is required we engage one rather than cutting a corner.

You will deal with the same people from the first call to the final report. Nothing gets handed to a stranger halfway through.

Frequently asked questions

What can you actually detect?

Radio transmitting bugs, GSM and mobile based listening devices, hidden cameras including wired and battery units, GPS trackers on vehicles, and recording devices found by physical search.

Should I tell my staff about the sweep?

Usually not. If somebody inside the organisation is responsible, advance warning gives them time to remove the device and reinstall it later.

What happens if you find something?

We stop, preserve the scene and advise you. Depending on the situation the right next step may be a police report, a legal letter or quiet monitoring. We do not simply rip it out and hand it to you.

Can you sweep a car?

Yes. Vehicle sweeps are one of the most common requests we get, particularly where a tracker is suspected.

Is a phone app enough to find a bug?

No. Consumer apps do not reliably detect anything and give false confidence. Proper detection needs calibrated equipment and a physical search.

More of our work in Canberra

Talk to an investigator about Canberra

Call 1300 773 293. The line is answered twenty four hours a day. If it turns out we are the wrong people for your problem, we will point you at the right ones.

If you would rather write to us, use the contact form and we will come back to you the same day.