Surveillance in Newcastle

There is usually a point at which waiting and hoping stops working. Most people who call us about surveillance in Newcastle have already spent weeks going in circles. A properly run observation removes the guesswork. You get dates, times, locations and imagery, presented in a form that stands up when somebody else reads it. 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 surveillance here.

Common situations we see in Newcastle

An employee on workers compensation appears to be working elsewhere
A business partner may be running a competing operation
A tenant or occupant may be subletting or misusing a property
You need to know who a family member is spending time with
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

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 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
Operatives take up position discreetly and record continuously, noting every movement with the time
Where a job runs several days we rotate vehicles and operatives so nothing becomes familiar
You receive a progress update while the job is running, not just at the end
A written report is delivered with an indexed log and the supporting media

Surveillance and the law in New South Wales

Before anything starts, you should understand what is and is not permitted. Surveillance in a public place is generally lawful in New South Wales. What is tightly controlled is the use of devices. The Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) 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. 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. Surveillance is charged by the hour with a minimum engagement, plus travel where the job takes us outside Newcastle. 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. If we think a smaller job will answer your question, we will propose the smaller job.

About our agency

You are entitled to know who you are hiring. 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.

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

Is surveillance legal in New South Wales?

Observing a person in a public place is generally lawful. The restrictions apply to devices. The Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) sets out the rules for listening devices, cameras, trackers and data surveillance, and we operate inside them at all times.

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.

Do you cover regional areas outside Newcastle?

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

How quickly can you start?

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

Other things we do in Newcastle

We also cover Surveillance in Sydney, Surveillance in Wollongong, Surveillance in Central Coast.

Talk to an investigator about Newcastle

Call 1300 773 293. The line is answered twenty four hours a day. There is no charge for the first conversation and no obligation at the end of it.

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