Are there entry requirements?

No. The register records no entry requirements for CPP30619.

Do I have to choose a stream?

Yes, effectively. The elective rules require all of Group A or all of Group B - you cannot mix and match across the two. Group A is factual investigation, Group B is surveillance.

Can I do both streams?

The rules require one full group, and your top-up units may come from any other group - which means some of the other stream's units can be picked up. But you complete one specialisation, not two.

Do I need a licence to work as a private investigator?

The register notes that legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to investigative services. Licensing is administered by each state and territory - check with the regulator where you intend to work.

Why is a small business unit in both groups?

BSBSMB305 covers regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements for a micro business. Many investigators are sole traders or small operators, so the training package treats it as part of the job.

CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services

About this qualification

CPP30619 is for investigators “responsible for factual investigation and inquiry work or covert surveillance operations”. They operate under limited supervision and “use discretion and judgement to search for information about a person’s character, actions or work and gather evidence that may be used in court”.

The qualification splits into two occupational specialisations and the elective rules force you to pick one. You take either all eight Group A units (factual investigation) or all seven Group B units (surveillance), then top up from the other groups. They are genuinely different jobs.

Only five core units, but one of them tells you what this qualification is really for: CPPSEC3124 Prepare and present evidence in court. Everything an investigator gathers has to survive being tested.

The register notes that investigators undertaking surveillance operations “are required to operate a surveillance vehicle in compliance with road and traffic laws”, and that legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to investigative services. Those are administered by each state and territory, separately from the qualification.

Roles it maps to

Occupational titles named on the national register for CPP30619.

Private Investigator Inquiry Agent Factual Investigator Surveillance Operative

Where it sits

Where CPP30619 sits. Investigative services runs alongside security operations rather than through it.

Certificate IICPP20218 Security Operations
Certificate III · you are hereCPP30619 Investigative Services
Certificate IVCPP40719 Security Management
DiplomaCPP50619 Security Risk Management

What it covers

5Core units

11Elective units

Sixteen units must be completed: 5 core and 11 electives. The electives must be either all 8 units in Group A (factual investigation) plus 3 units from any other group not already selected, or all 7 units in Group B (surveillance) plus 4 units from any other group not already selected. Up to 1 unit may be selected from any training package, provided it contributes to a valid industry-supported vocational outcome and maintains the AQF level.

The 5 core units, required by everyone:

CPPINV3026 Work effectively in investigative services
CPPINV3027 Develop investigation plans
CPPINV3028 Investigate and locate subjects
CPPINV3029 Provide quality investigative services to clients
CPPSEC3124 Prepare and present evidence in court

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

Are there entry requirements?: No. The register records no entry requirements for CPP30619.
Do I have to choose a stream?: Yes, effectively. The elective rules require all of Group A or all of Group B — you cannot mix and match across the two. Group A is factual investigation, Group B is surveillance.
Can I do both streams?: The rules require one full group, and your top-up units may come from any other group — which means some of the other stream's units can be picked up. But you complete one specialisation, not two.
Do I need a licence to work as a private investigator?: The register notes that legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to investigative services. Licensing is administered by each state and territory — check with the regulator where you intend to work.
Why is a small business unit in both groups?: BSBSMB305 covers regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements for a micro business. Many investigators are sole traders or small operators, so the training package treats it as part of the job.

Specialisations

CPP30619 carries two occupational specialisations named in the register. The elective rules make you commit to one of them — you take the whole group, not a selection from it.

Factual investigation

Group A — all 8 units

Take every unit in Group A, then 3 more units from any other group.
- CPPINV3030 Conduct factual investigations
- CPPINV3031 Conduct interviews and take statements to support investigations
- CPPINV3032 Develop factual investigation reports
- PSPREG006 Produce formal record of interview
- PSPCRT007 Compile and use official notes
- PSPSEC009 Handle sensitive information
- HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
- BSBSMB305 Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements for the micro business
Interview-led work: statements, formal records of interview, and reports built to stand up in court.
Surveillance

Group B — all 7 units

Take every unit in Group B, then 4 more units from any other group.
- CPPINV3033 Conduct covert surveillance operations
- CPPINV3034 Organise and operate surveillance vehicles
- CPPINV3035 Develop surveillance investigation reports
- PSPCRT007 Compile and use official notes
- PSPSEC009 Handle sensitive information
- HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
- BSBSMB305 Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements for the micro business
Observation-led work. Note the vehicle unit — the register expects surveillance operatives to work from a vehicle, lawfully.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

QLD

CLET TrainingRTO 31254

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Asset Training AustraliaRTO 31718

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Westbourne CollegeRTO 41084

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

NSTARTO 32292

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Core Training GroupRTO 52634

Deliver and assess · WA
TAS

Allie InvestmentsRTO 60083

Deliver and assess · National
VIC

A.T.T.N.RTO 22604

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Australian Global AcademyRTO 45229

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Australian Training InstituteRTO 30200

Deliver and assess · National
ACT

Diverse Training ConceptsRTO 88182

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Australian Security AcademyRTO 30547

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Rose Training AustraliaRTO 31939

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 23 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

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Certificate III in Investigative Services

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