Background Checks in Victoria

People are not always who they present themselves to be. A background check across Victoria pulls together the public record, the corporate record and the property record so you can see the shape of somebody’s history before you commit money, a contract or your personal safety to them. The first conversation is free and nothing is committed in it.

Victoria is a state of close to seven million people built on manufacturing, agriculture, education, healthcare and financial services. Call 1300 773 293 at any hour, or read on for how we handle background checks here.

Common situations we see in Victoria

• A new business partner has made claims you cannot verify
• You are considering an investment and the promoter is unfamiliar
• A prospective tenant has given references that feel rehearsed
• You have met somebody online and the details do not quite add up
• A carer or tutor will be spending unsupervised time with your family
• A charity or fund is asking for a significant contribution

Local conditions in Victoria

Covering Victoria means working from the Melbourne metropolitan area across the Bellarine, the Goldfields, Gippsland and the Murray. Distance is the main constraint, so we plan around it: we confirm the ground before an operative is committed, and we tell you when travel time is going to make a job uneconomic rather than billing you for a day in a car.

We work regularly across Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, and we travel further into Victoria where a matter calls for it.

How the work is actually done in Victoria

1. You give us everything you already have, including names, dates of birth, addresses and any documents
2. We confirm identity first, because every later search depends on getting that right
3. We search corporate records, business registrations and directorships
4. We check property holdings, court listings and insolvency records where they are publicly available
5. We search the open web and archived material for the person’s own trail
6. We cross check names against dates of birth to avoid mistaken identity

Background Checks and the law in Victoria

People ask about the law here more than anything else, so here it is plainly. Background checking is legitimate research, but it is bounded by privacy law and by the Surveillance Devices Act 1999 (Vic) where any form of monitoring is involved. We work from public and lawfully obtainable records. We do not access private databases we have no right to, and we will tell you plainly when something you have asked for cannot be obtained lawfully. Doing it properly is slower on some jobs. It is also the only version that survives contact with a courtroom.

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.

Fees and how we charge

Cost is usually the second question after whether it is legal, so here is a straight answer. Background checks are quoted as a fixed fee for a defined scope, so you know the number before we start. A simple identity and corporate check is inexpensive. A full history including property, litigation and asset tracing across Victoria costs more because it takes considerably longer. We have turned work away when the likely cost outweighed the likely benefit, and we will do it again.

About our agency

A few facts about us, so you can check them. Sydney Private Investigations has been operating since 2002 and trades as GORA Investigations Pty Ltd, ABN 34 600 932 438. We are a licensed agency. We hold VIC Master Licence Z6583160S. Every operative who works on your matter holds a current individual licence.

If your matter really belongs with police or with a solicitor, we will tell you that instead of selling you surveillance.

Frequently asked questions

What will a background check actually show?

Typically identity confirmation, current and previous addresses, company directorships and business interests, property holdings, publicly listed court matters, insolvency and bankruptcy records and an open source profile.

Can you check somebody’s criminal history?

A national police check can only be obtained with the person’s consent through an accredited body. What we can do is search publicly reported court matters and tell you what is on the open record.

How long does it take?

A basic check in Victoria is usually turned around in one to three business days. A complex matter with assets across Victoria takes longer.

Do you check businesses as well as individuals?

Yes. Company searches, directorship histories, related entities and solvency indicators are a standard part of our commercial work.

Can the report be used in court?

Our reports set out sources and dates so they can be tendered or relied on by your lawyer. We can provide a statement if the matter proceeds.

Related services in Victoria

• Surveillance in Victoria
• Cheating Spouse Investigations in Victoria
• Locate a Person in Victoria
• Bug Sweeping in Victoria
• Phone Number Search in Victoria
• Corporate Investigations in Victoria

See also private investigators in Victoria.

Talk to an investigator about Victoria

Call 1300 773 293. The line is answered twenty four hours a day. Tell us what is happening and we will tell you plainly whether an investigation is the right step, what it would involve and what it would cost.

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