The 5 Best Private Investigators in Melbourne Worth Calling When Things Get Complicated
Most people imagine private investigators as trench-coat-wearing detectives lurking in alleyways. The truth is, the best PIs are far more discreet than this imagery, and more useful.
From background checks and fraud investigations, they often work quietly alongside legal professionals (like assault lawyers) to uncover the details that matter most.
But hey, not every investigator delivers the same level of discretion or results. Some are excellent at handling cases smoothly, while others can leave you wondering where your money went.
To help narrow it down, we’ve rounded up the best private investigators in Melbourne. Check out the ones who are worth hiring!
How much does a private investigator cost in Melbourne?
Hiring a private investigator in Melbourne typically costs between $85 to $200 per hour. Depending on the complexity of the case, total assignments range from $650 for a brief background check to $4,000+ for a multi-day surveillance.
1. P.I Melbourne
Address: Level 27/101 Collins St
Phone: +61 405 579 900
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 7 AM – 11 PM
If you need someone followed and caught on camera, the PI Melbourne is a group of stakeout specialists. They operate like a shadow with a zoom lens.
Clients praised the flat-rate packages because what you see is exactly what you get. They bundle everything into one neat price. They even include the full written report, without slapping on a hidden fee.
But the real crowd-pleaser here is their flexibility. You can book a full day and split those eight hours across two different days.
Since targets rarely check your calendar before they decide to act shady, being able to pause the clock and use four hours today and four hours tomorrow is smart.
Because of their all-inclusive day rates, they aren’t ideal for the budget-conscious people who just need a basic background check. You can’t ask them to trim the price by skipping the report or withholding the video footage.
I would highly recommend them
“The team were incredibly efficient, proactive, and helpful. I needed support with a complex investigation, and they went above and beyond to deliver an excellent result. Extremely trustworthy—I would highly recommend them. Thank you”
Alannah Brown, Google review
Incredibly quick work
“Incredibly quick work by Hayden and extremely beneficial for all who require the PI Melbourne team. Thank you all very much and would highly recommend for anyone who require their services.”
Nicholas Edmonds, Google review
2. RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions Pty Ltd
Address: Level/5/111 Cecil St
Phone: +61 489 276 222
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
RIVICA Investigations skips that whole amateur vibe. Instead, they bring serious government-level, institutional experience to the table.
They’re great at tactical surveillance and quick communication. One client mentioned how patient and accessible Richard was. He provided round-the-clock availability for both day and night operations.
To make things better, they wrapped up the evidence, packaged photos and videos, and delivered a final report within twenty-four hours.
Another client backed this up, noting that the team kept them updated every step of the way. They did this even when there wasn’t new data, just so the client wasn’t left wondering.
Because of this, we recommend them for corporate entities, legal teams, or those dealing with high-stakes crises. They’re great at their job, no doubt, but that also explains why their pricing is premium.
Five-star service
“Five-star service from Richard at RIVICA. Richard was incredibly helpful, supplying genuine LawMate coffee cup lid Wi-Fi DVR equipment after I’d been burnt by useless counterfeits. His friendly, ethical advice ensured the right solution for a surveillance job. Professional, trustworthy and reasonably priced. Thank you, Richard—your support made the task possible.”
Simone Armstrong, Google review
Very prompt service- would highly recommend
“Very prompt service- would highly recommend. Richard was lovely, patient and understanding of my stressful situation and easy to get a hold of. Communication was excellent from start to finish. They had a lot of availabilities during the day and night in order to gather the evidence I needed as I was not able to gather it myself. They provided photos, videos and a report within 24hrs!”
Shobi Wilson, Google review
3. Spousebusters Melbourne
Address: Suite 299/189 Queen St
Phone: +61 385 089 969
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Spousebusters Melbourne does one thing, and they do it with great expertise: they bust cheating partners. They don’t give you the usual vague detective spiel about hourly retainers. Instead, they roll out these tiered surveillance toolkits.
Of course, we analysed their packages. It ranges from the Basic bundle at two grand all the way up to the Super Plus bundle at five grand.
If you just need to know where your car is going, the Basic gets you a GPS tracker and a voice recorder. But if you want more, the higher tiers throw in mobile phone monitoring and live listening bugs.
We liked that they give their clients these options, depending on what they need.
Clients also appreciate that Rob takes the time to thoroughly understand a case and offers practical advice. Clearly, there’s some real empathetic human intelligence at work.
Their main weakness, though, is their narrow specialisation. They’re laser-focused on infidelity.
I am grateful for his help and highly recommend his services
“Rob provided exceptional legal support. He was always available to answer my questions and ensured I understood every aspect of my case. His expertise and willingness to spend time addressing my concerns made a significant difference. I am grateful for his help and highly recommend his services.”
Maria Crifo, Google review
Rob was a great professional
“Rob was a great professional. He gave me really helpful advice and explained everything clearly. He took the time to understand my situation and supported me every step of the way. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a good private investigator.”
Rodrigo Lopez, Google review
4. Truth Investigations Melbourne
Address: 209/189 Queen St
Phone: +61 1800 878 847
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Truth Investigations handles everything from private family dramas to corporate investigations and government contracts. That broad reach makes them more versatile than other investigators.
But we looked at them closely and saw that they’re great at tracking down missing persons.
One client was initially sceptical but ended up thrilled when the team found his son in just a single week. It’s complete with solid proof of identity and location.
Another person echoes this, noting she used them to find a relative. The thoroughness and speed of the results blew her away. So, when it comes to putting boots on the ground and closing a missing persons case, these guys are the best choice.
We found their tiny flaw in the initial intake process. They can be a little slow when you reach out to make an inquiry. But once you actually get them on the line and lock them down, everything runs smoothly.
He was consistently transparent
“I had previously dealt with another PI and several government agencies, but none provided the same level of assurance that Josh did. Although my search for my father ultimately resulted in a non-locate, Josh gave me the confidence that every possible avenue had been explored through his thorough and detailed reporting. He did not lead me on with vague information and was consistently transparent—something I found especially important in such ambiguous and sensitive matters.”
Kimberly Amatullah, Google review
Excellent communication from Josh
“Very happy with Truth Investigations! I was sceptical at first but they found my son in just 1 week. Excellent communication from Josh, and above and beyond service. Posative proof of identity and location. Wish id found them years ago. Thank you so much Highly recomend!”
Kate Chapman, Google review
5. Private Investigators Now Melbourne
Address: 5/365 Little Collins St
Phone: +61 1200 474 669
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
What Private Investigators Now does best is handling the messiest situations, sometimes requiring a criminal defence. They excel at dissecting complex problems.
From what we’ve heard, they actually sit down with you to map out a strategy. They’re famous for helping clients choose the best course of action to get maximum results at minimal cost.
Everyone loved their extreme professionalism and empathy. People who went to them during the worst moments of their lives felt completely supported.
Even corporate clients raved about them. One business even noted that they’re diligent and knowledgeable on complex business processes while maintaining total discretion.
That said, they’re high in demand, so you have to book them immediately to get your slot.
I was extremely impressed with their professionalism
“I was extremely impressed with the professionalism, high quality service and result I received from PI NOW. They took the time to understand my requirements and make recommendations as I had a very sensitive and complex case, and by far exceeded my expectations. I am very very happy with the outcome, and have no hesitation in recommending PI NOW to others. Great work guys and thank you once again for all your support, in what was a very difficult time for me.”
Chris D, Google review
Hiring them was a wise investment
“My company hired P.I. Now to investigate a sensitive matter regarding one of our staff. Needless to say, discretion was key. P.I. Now showed an admirable level of diligence – and knowledge of complex business processes – throughout the case, and reported back efficiently and consistently. It was a wise investment.”
Daniel D.W, Google review