Are you inquisitive and logical, and do you have a keen eye for detail? Take the next step in your career with our online private investigator course.

Our flexible training programme is ideal for those who want to become a PI, those already working in a related area of law and justice and those who wish to carry out their own personal private investigations rather than hiring a PI. They are also designed for those looking to advance their skills in a range of other professions, from fraud prevention to journalism.

Explore our course breakdown below or enrol now to get started.

  • Course Outline: What You Will Cover

    When you enrol on our private investigator course, you’ll be taught the tricks of the trade and discover what normally takes years of on-the-job experience to learn. 

    You will complete the following units of study:

    1Criminal Psychology
    • Comprehending Crimes through Psychology
    2Locating People / Factual Inquires
    • How to Locate and Track People Down
    3Starting an Investigation
    • Assessing the Matter
    • The Complainant
    • Objectives
    • Investigation Plan
    4Obtaining Results
    • Consulting Experts
    • Examinations
    • Surveillance
    • Scene Inspection
    5Tracing Missing Persons
    • Why People Disappear?
    • Tracing Methodologies
    6Matrimonial and Domestic Cases
    • Means Reporting
    • Child Care and Custody Matters
    • Adoption Enquiries
    • Peace of Mind Reports
    7Counter-Espionage & Counter-Surveillance
    • Detecting Surveillance
    • Methods of Surveillance
    • Team Surveillance Techniques
    • De-bugging
    8Commercial Espionage
    • Areas of Vulnerability
    • Classification
    • Handling, Storage, Disposal Procedures
    • Clean Desk Policy
    • Access Limitation
    • Electronic Surveillance Countermeasures
    • Computer Security & Hacking
    9Statement Taking and Reporting
    • Report Writing
    • Statement Taking
    • Interviewing Witnesses
    10How to Investigate Different Cases
    • Personal Injury Cases
    • Malpractice Suits
    • Investigating Workers Compensation & Insurance
    11Fraud Cases
    • Investigating Theft Cases
    • Investigating Collections & Repossession Cases
    • Investigation Missing Persons Case
    • Skip Tracing & Public Record Searches
    • Pre-texting for Information
    • How to Spot a Bug or Wiretap
    12Surveillance
    • Stationary Surveillance
    • Moving Surveillance
    • Pre-texts and Cover Stories
    • Preparation & Techniques
    13Carrying Out Search of the Public Record
    • Searching the Public Record
    14Operating a Private Investigation Business
    • Finding Clients
    • Getting Paid
    • Price Strategy
    • Contracts
    • Marketing
  • How Will You Benefit?

    There are many benefits associated with our private investigator training. For example, you will: 

    • Expedite your career as a private investigator
    • Study a course that has been developed in consultation with senior members of the PI profession
    • Learn at your own pace, allowing you to fit your PI training around your existing commitments
    • Have access to your own personal tutor
    • Save time and money by learning remotely rather than in-person
    • Pay upfront for a 10% reduction in your course fee, or sign up to our interest-free weekly payment plan

    Start reaping the benefits by enrolling on our private investigator course today!

  • Career Prospects

    Successfully completing our private investigator course can open up many career opportunities. As a PI graduate, you could offer services in areas such as:

    • Family lawprivate-investingation-img1
    • Unfaithful spouses
    • Harassment and stalking
    • Insurance
    • Asset tracing
    • Intellectual property
    • Service of documents
    • Due diligence
    • Identity vetting
    • Personnel screening
    • Theft
    • Fraud
    • Kidnap / ransom / extortion
    • Missing persons
    • Malicious damage
    • Hidden camera and bug detection
    • Surveillance and counter-surveillance
    • Addictions

    You may work for a range of public and private organisations, including:

    • Government agencies
    • Councils
    • Insurance companies
    • Banks, building societies and credit unions
    • Solicitors and barristers
    • Private citizens

    You can decide whether to seek work with an existing organisation or set up your own PI business.

    Private Investigator Licensing & Regulations:

    The regulation of private investigators varies from each state, territory and country. Even if your state or country does not require a specific amount of training, you will still need training in order to obtain the necessary skills to run your own investigations, get hired or start your own agency.

    The ICI Private Investigations course is NOT designed to fulfil the licensing requirements of any particular state or country’s jurisdiction.

    Depending on your location you may be required to be licensed to provide private investigation (PI) services for a fee or to be employed as a PI. In NSW, QLD, Victoria, Tasmania, SA and WA it is required that a “Cert III” be completed as a pre-condition of being licensed as a private investigator. However, residents of the ACT and the Northern Territory have no set training requirements to qualify to work as a private investigator. The United Kingdom does not require private investigators to be registered or hold any qualifications while in the United States almost no states require educational qualifications to register as a PI.

    Related professions that can benefit from PI training

    Our PI course provides you with a wide range of transferable skills that are highly valued in other professions too. For example, it can benefit people working as:

    • Auditors / forensic accountantsprivate-investingation-img2
    • Corruption investigators
    • Counsellors / psychologists
    • Customs officers
    • Complaints officers
    • Corrective service officers
    • Council compliance officers (eg rangers)
    • Covert surveillance team members
    • Criminal investigators
    • Detectives
    • Debt collectors
    • Environmental protection officers
    • Forensic specialists
    • Fraud prevention officers
    • Genealogists / family historians
    • Investigation managers / supervisors
    • Insurance claims assessment officers
    • Interviewers
    • Journalists
    • Ombudsman / consumer affairs staff
    • Parks and wildlife officers
    • Professional standards officers
    • Police officers
    • Policy development officers
    • Quarantine inspectors
    • Research officers
    • Security officers
    • Tertiary and school education managers
    • Legal professionals (lawyers, solicitors, barristers) and paralegals
    • Workplace health and safety inspectors

    Completing our private investigator course will give you a competitive advantage over others in your field, helping you to advance your career. 

  • Course Levels Explained

    Diploma

    This course leads to the awarding of an Diploma. This qualification recognises the graduate’s capacity for initiative and judgement across a broad range of technical and management functions. Diploma holders typically have personal responsibility and autonomy in performing technical operations or organizing others in the workplace.

  • Prerequisites

    There are NO previous work or education requirements for entry onto this course.

    So if you want to take your career to the next level, simply register for our PI training programme today.

  • Course Length

    Students take an average of:

    DIPLOMA LEVEL31 WEEKS

    Our private investigator course allows you to study at your own pace. There are no assignment deadlines. This means you determine how quickly you complete the learning programme.

    If you wish to finish as soon as possible, you can fast track your studies and graduate in a matter of months. If you would prefer to take longer, we allow up to three years to finish the course.

  • Study Mode: Online Learning

    Our private investigator course is carried out entirely online via distance learning, also known as correspondence learning. This approach puts you in the driving seat. It allows you to fit your studies around any commitments you may have, such as work or family, and it means you are not locked into a timetable.

    With access to your own personal tutor who will answer your questions and provide guidance, you can learn and submit assignments whenever you wish. You can also complete your studies wherever you are in the world, and there is no need to factor in time and travel costs to attend lessons in person.

    Like all of our courses, it is designed to be highly relevant and engaging, making the learning process stimulating and rewarding.

  • Recognition & Accreditation

    recognition-img
    Our private investigator course is recognised and accredited by the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC) and the International Approval and Registration Centre (IARC). ICI courses are not AQF qualifications. ICI is an independent global awarding body that develops and administers career-related curriculum and training programs. When you graduate from an ICI training program you join ICI graduates in over 150 countries around the world.

    The learning programme goes far beyond the theory of being a PI. Written and delivered by experienced industry professionals, it provides key practical information and insights that will enable you to thrive in your career.

  • Already in the Profession or Industry?

    Already working as a private investigator or in a related profession? This course is for you. It will help you to reinforce and update your knowledge and skills in this fast-paced, competitive and challenging field. As well as providing you with added confidence, it will further your professional development and make it easier to secure new roles and promotions.  

    You can claim the fees for our PI course as a tax deduction as long as the learning programme is sufficiently connected to your work activities.

  • What Do I Get?

    All the materials you need to complete our private investigator course are included in the course fee. Once you enrol, you will receive:

    • All required study materials and course notes
    • Assignment projects with constructive tutor feedback
    • A tutor who will answer your course and career questions and provide guidance.

    On successful completion of the course, you will receive:what-do-iget-img2

    • A graduation certificate officially recognising your completion of studies and qualifications
    • Transcripts indicating the units completed
    • A letter of recommendation and validation for current and future employers
    • Post-nominal letters placed after your name which indicate that you hold the relevant qualification (for example: John Smith, ExeDipPI)
    • Job search assistance: discover more about our Graduate Career Services Programme.
  • Cut Off Date

    Friday, 2nd June 2023 is the next enrolment cut off date. Places are limited, in demand and entry into the course is on a first come first served basis.

    Your enrolment is processed and acknowledged within 24 hours of the Institute receiving your application. You can expect to receive your course within days of enrolling. When you start your ICI course it’s at your own pace and you determine when you finish.

    Don’t miss out. Enrol today!

Course Investment & Payment Plans

SAVE 10%
 
One off payment
$1,450
Course Level
DIPLOMA
ENROL NOW
Weekly Instalment Plan
$49 x 32 weeks
Interest Free
$1,611
Course Level
DIPLOMA
ENROL NOW

How do I get started?

Click on one of the Enrol Now buttons above and you could be working on your first lesson – and towards a new career as a PI – in a matter of days!

How Does Online Studying Work?

As an ICI student, you’ll be able to train at home in your spare time, learning in the easiest possible way. There are no classes or lectures to attend, and no need to leave your job or change your schedule.

How does it work?
Enrol, Study at Home, and Graduate

ICI is committed to the successful completion of your course. The typical ICI student experience goes like this:

  1. The Enrolment Process
  2. Begin Your Studies
  3. Getting Help When You Need It
  4. Getting Assessed
  5. Graduation
1The Enrolment Process

Select the course that interests you. The International Career Institute website offers course overviews, course outlines, course fees, student testimonials, and information on career services for graduates.

When you are ready to enrol in a program, simply complete the online enrolment form, or call our toll-free number to speak with an enrolment adviser.

2Begin Your Studies

On enrolment students receive a welcome email and letter with instructions on how to login into your course and access your course and tutorial support. You will not be required to purchase any further materials. Courses are divided into modules with assessments located at the end of these modules. Assessments (written assignments) are based on what you have been learning about. No exams are involved.

Study at your own pace

One of the many great benefits of our courses is their modular format creates an easier and more effective way for you to learn. And with no need to follow a fixed timetable, you get to study and submit assignment for each module at your own pace.

3Getting Help When You Need It

Your courses are designed so that you can study independently. However, if you have a question about anything in your course, just contact one of our industry based tutors. Contact details are provided in your welcome email and letter. Your tutors are industry professionals who are ready to answer any questions about the course, assessments and industry for which you are training for.

4Get Assessed

At the end of modules you are asked to complete assignments. With no fixed assessment dates ICI students can submit their assessments at any time. This allows students to progress through the course at a pace that suits their needs. Assignments can be submitted via the student portal or email directly to the tutor.

Your assignments and projects will be graded on the following scale:

Grading scale
Lesson Grade (%)Letter EquivalentRating
100 - 80AOutstanding level of achievement
79 - 60BHigh level of achievement
59 - 50CSatisfactory level of achievement
49 - 40DMarginal level of achievement
0 - 39FFailed to complete course requirements

You must pass all modules and achieve a minimum of a C or higher in all studies to graduate. Should you not pass an assignment you are able to retake assessments as many times as you need (free of charge) in order to improve your results. Full tutorial support is available to guide you towards successfully completing your course.

5Graduation

Graduates of the Institute are eligible for assistance under the Graduate Career Services Program which includes assistance in job searches (by career and region), preparing cover letters, tips on interviewing, and much more. As part of your graduation package, we offer a Certified Professional Resume Writer free of charge to help you compose your resume. All graduates receive a certificate of completion at the relevant level (Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma / Executive Diploma), transcripts and a letter of recommendation.