Surveillance in Melbourne

Most people find this page because something has stopped adding up. Surveillance is the most direct way to convert a suspicion into evidence. Working across Melbourne, our investigators observe, follow and record without ever making themselves known, and hand you a factual account of where a person went, who they met and how long they stayed. Everything you tell us stays between us.

Melbourne is the largest city in Victoria and one of the two biggest markets in the country. Call 1300 773 293 at any hour, or read on for how we handle surveillance here.

What brings people to us in Melbourne

An employee on workers compensation appears to be working elsewhere
A business partner may be running a competing operation
You need to establish where somebody is living for a legal matter
A duty of care matter requires you to know where somebody actually goes
You have been told a version of events that does not match what you have seen
A vehicle keeps appearing near your home or workplace

Local conditions in Melbourne

Working in Melbourne means understanding a sprawling grid of suburbs where a single subject can cross a dozen council areas in a day. 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 Dandenong, Frankston, Werribee, Box Hill, Preston, Footscray, Ringwood and Cranbourne, and we travel further into Victoria where a matter calls for it.

Our approach to surveillance in Melbourne

We take a full brief, including the subject description, vehicles, addresses and the pattern you have noticed
We agree the days, hours and budget before anybody goes out, so there are no surprises
Where a job runs several days we rotate vehicles and operatives so nothing becomes familiar
Footage and stills are captured where it is lawful and useful to do so
You receive a progress update while the job is running, not just at the end
We stand down early and tell you when a session is producing nothing of value

Surveillance and the law in Victoria

The rules are not complicated, but they are strict. Surveillance in a public place is generally lawful in Victoria. What is tightly controlled is the use of devices. The Surveillance Devices Act 1999 (Vic) governs listening devices, optical devices, tracking devices and data surveillance, and it sets out when a device may and may not be used. We work strictly inside those limits, because evidence gathered outside them is worthless to you and creates a problem you did not have before. We would rather lose the job than gather something that cannot be used and cannot be undone.

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.

What it costs

There is no reason for pricing to be mysterious. Surveillance is charged by the hour with a minimum engagement, plus travel where the job takes us outside Melbourne. The real cost driver is not the hourly rate, it is how many hours are wasted watching nothing. We will tell you honestly if we think the pattern you have described means a shorter, better targeted window will get you the same answer for less. No work begins until you have agreed the scope and the figure in writing.

Our credentials

You are entitled to know who you are hiring. Sydney Private Investigations has been operating since 2001 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.

We do not use aggressive sales scripts and we do not chase people who decide against proceeding. If the answer is no, that is a perfectly fine answer.

Frequently asked questions

Will the person know they are being watched?

No. Covert surveillance only works if it stays covert. Our operatives use unmarked vehicles, change position and rotate where a job runs over several days.

Can I use the footage in court?

Evidence gathered lawfully and documented properly is generally admissible. We record continuously, keep the original files unaltered and can supply a statement from the operative if a matter proceeds.

What happens if you lose the subject?

It happens occasionally, and we tell you when it does. We log the loss, the time and the reason, and we do not pad a report to hide it.

Do you cover regional areas outside Melbourne?

Yes. We travel throughout Victoria and charge travel separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

How quickly can you start?

For most jobs in Melbourne we can deploy within twenty four to forty eight hours, and sooner for urgent matters.

More of our work in Melbourne

We also cover Surveillance in Geelong, Surveillance in Ballarat, Surveillance in Bendigo.

Talk to an investigator about Melbourne

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.