FAQ
Questions, answered plainly.
If your question isn't covered here, it's still a confidential one — get in touch and we'll answer it directly.
General
Is it legal to hire a private investigator in NSW?
Yes. Private investigation is a licensed activity under the NSW Security Industry Act 1997. We work strictly within that framework and within NSW privacy and surveillance law — you are not doing anything unlawful by engaging a licensed investigator for a legitimate purpose.
Is my enquiry confidential?
Yes, from the first message. We don't discuss a matter with anyone outside the engagement, and we don't confirm to a third party — including the subject of an investigation — that an engagement exists.
Can I contact you without committing to anything?
Yes. The initial consultation is about understanding what you need and whether it's lawful and achievable. You're under no obligation until you formally instruct us.
Do you operate outside Newcastle?
Yes. We're based in Newcastle and regularly work across the Hunter Region, Central Coast, Sydney metro and regional NSW. Let us know your location when you enquire.
Legal & Compliance
How do I know Factum is actually licensed?
Factum Investigations holds NSW Master Licence 000111255, regulated by the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED). You're welcome to verify this independently before engaging us.
Will the evidence you gather hold up in court?
Evidence is collected and logged with a defined chain of custody, and reports are prepared to a standard suitable for legal proceedings. Admissibility ultimately rests with the court hearing your matter, and we're available to give evidence where required.
Can you help locate someone who doesn't want to be found?
Only for a lawful, legitimate purpose — such as reconnecting family, recovering a debt, or serving legal documents. We will not assist in locating a person where we reasonably believe it may facilitate harassment, intimidation or stalking, and we screen every locate request accordingly.
Are your background checks compliant with privacy law?
Yes. Checks are conducted using lawful, publicly available or properly authorised sources, consistent with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and NSW privacy legislation. See our Privacy Notice for more detail.
Engagement & Fees
How much does an investigation cost?
It depends on scope, method and duration. We provide a clear fee estimate after the initial confidential consultation. There's no fixed public rate because every matter is different.
How long does an investigation take?
Timeframes vary by service — a due diligence check may take days, while surveillance or a locate can take longer depending on the circumstances. We'll give you a realistic estimate at the consultation stage.
What happens after I make an enquiry?
We respond to confirm receipt and arrange a confidential consultation. From there: we agree a scope and fee, carry out the work under licence, and deliver a written report with supporting evidence.
What information do I need to provide to start?
Enough detail for us to assess whether the matter is lawful and achievable — who or what is involved, what you're trying to establish, and any relevant timeframes or locations. We'll ask follow-up questions during the consultation.
Do you provide affidavits or give evidence in court?
Where a matter proceeds to legal action, we can provide a statement or affidavit and, where required, give evidence in relation to the investigation we conducted.
Still have a question?