Bug Sweeping in Newcastle

There is usually a point at which waiting and hoping stops working. A bug sweep answers a specific question: is there something in this room, this car or this house that should not be there. We work across Newcastle for individuals in family disputes, for businesses protecting commercial information and for anybody whose private conversations appear to be travelling further than they should. If the answer is that you do not need us, we will tell you that.

Newcastle is the second largest city in New South Wales and the commercial centre of the Hunter. Call 1300 773 293 at any hour, or read on for how we handle bug sweeping here.

Common situations we see in Newcastle

A former partner seems to know details you have only spoken about at home
Negotiations have gone badly in a way that suggests the other side was informed
A rental property or short stay accommodation feels wrong
You are about to hold a sensitive board or legal meeting
You are separating and the other party has had access to the house
A device has appeared in a shared vehicle

On the ground in Newcastle

Working in Newcastle means understanding a harbour city where the port, the coalfields and the vineyards all sit within a short drive. 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 Hamilton, Charlestown, Maitland, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens, and we travel further into New South Wales where a matter calls for it.

How the work is actually done in Newcastle

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
Network and line checks are conducted where relevant

Bug Sweeping and the law in New South Wales

Before anything starts, you should understand what is and is not permitted. The use of listening and optical devices is controlled in New South Wales by the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW), 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. Evidence gathered outside those limits is worthless to you, and it hands the other side a much better story than the one you were trying to tell.

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

Nobody enjoys asking what this costs, so we will get to it first. Sweeps are quoted by the number and size of the areas to be covered. A single vehicle or a home office in Newcastle is a straightforward fixed fee. A full commercial premises takes longer and is quoted after a short scoping conversation. Travel outside Newcastle is charged separately. If we think a smaller job will answer your question, we will propose the smaller job.

About our agency

It is a reasonable thing to ask, so here are our details. 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 NSW Master Licence 412080174. Every operative who works on your matter holds a current individual licence.

There is no obligation attached to the first conversation, and no pressure applied in it.

Frequently asked questions

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.

How long does a sweep take?

A vehicle or a single room takes about an hour. A house or a small office is usually half a day. Larger commercial premises take longer.

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.

Do you sweep in regional New South Wales?

Yes. We travel throughout the state and charge travel transparently.

Other things we do in Newcastle

We also cover Bug Sweeping in Sydney, Bug Sweeping in Wollongong, Bug Sweeping in Central Coast.

Talk to an investigator about Newcastle

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.