Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked most, answered plainly. If yours is not here, call 0417 312 416 — it costs nothing to ask.
Skip tracing basics
What is skip tracing?
Skip tracing is the process of locating a person whose current address or contact details are unknown. A licensed investigator gathers information from lawful sources — public records, registries, credit-header data and open-source intelligence — then verifies each lead before reporting a confirmed result. More on skip tracing →
What does "skip" actually mean?
The term comes from the debt-recovery industry — a "skip" is someone who has "skipped" town, moving on without leaving a forwarding address. In practice the work extends well beyond debt: beneficiaries, witnesses, family members and company officers are all located the same way.
Is skip tracing legal in Australia?
Yes, when carried out by a licensed investigator, for a legitimate purpose, using lawfully obtained information. The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles govern how personal information may be handled, and investigator licensing is regulated separately by each state and territory. Licensing and compliance in detail →
What is the difference between a skip trace and a people-search website?
A people-search website resells aggregated data and returns whatever is on file, current or not. A skip trace tests those records against independent sources and confirms a result before reporting it. The difference matters most when the answer is being relied on — at service of process, or in a recovery action.
Can you find anyone?
Most people, yes. Not everyone. Someone who has left Australia, is deceased without a recorded notification, or has no recent footprint in any accessible source may not be locatable. We tell you when that is the case rather than continuing to bill a file with no leads left.
Cost and quoting
How much does skip tracing cost in Australia?
Across the Australian market a comprehensive skip trace commonly costs $350 to $500, with complex matters quoted higher. Our skip tracing starts from $100, quoted as a fixed fee once we understand the matter. Full pricing →
Do I have to pay to get a quote?
No. Enquiring and receiving a quote costs nothing, and there is no obligation to proceed.
Is the price fixed?
Yes, and confirmed in writing before work begins. The exception is field work and surveillance, charged hourly because duration genuinely varies — there we agree expected hours upfront rather than accumulating time silently.
Do you offer no-find-no-fee?
No. Tracing is charged for the work performed. What we do instead is assess your information honestly before you commit — if there is not enough to work with, we say so rather than taking a fee for a search we expect to fail.
Starting a matter
What information do you need from me?
A full name and date of birth is the strongest starting point. Last known address, phone numbers, email addresses, employer, vehicle details, or the names of associates and family all improve the result. We can often work with less — send what you have. Start an enquiry →
What if I only have a name?
Workable if the name is uncommon, difficult if it is not. A date of birth, an approximate age, a last known suburb or the name of a relative changes the picture substantially. Tell us what you have and we will assess it before you commit.
How quickly can you start?
Most matters can be instructed the same day. Company, director and asset searches are typically returned within 24 hours; standard traces within 7 to 10 business days.
Can I send you a file or spreadsheet?
Yes. Send the enquiry first and we will reply with a secure way to transfer documents, ledgers or bulk files. Please do not attach sensitive material to a first email.
Process and reporting
How do you actually conduct a trace?
Five stages: assessment, collection, analysis and reduction, verification, and reporting. Raw matches are filtered against known identifiers, same-name records are separated, and what survives is confirmed against independent sources before it is reported. Our methodology →
What do I receive at the end?
A written report containing the confirmed result, a record of every search performed and the information obtained at each stage, and a clear statement of anything that could not be confirmed. The report is written to be relied on, including by a court.
How do you make sure it is the right person?
Identity resolution is a distinct step, not a by-product. Candidates are tested against date of birth, prior addresses, associates and employment history before one is accepted. Where two people cannot be separated confidently, we report that rather than choosing the more likely.
Do you visit addresses in person?
Where a matter warrants it, yes. A field call confirms occupancy directly and is often the difference between a probable address and a confirmed one — particularly before documents are served or enforcement action is taken.
Privacy and confidentiality
Will the person know someone is looking for them?
No. A trace is conducted without contacting the subject or alerting them in any way. We only make contact if you specifically instruct us to — for example where documents need to be served.
Is my enquiry confidential?
Yes. Your identity and the fact of the enquiry are not disclosed to the person being located. All documentation and information remains confidential and is held at a secure location.
What do you do with my information afterwards?
Information supplied to us is collected only for the purpose of the engagement, used only for that purpose, and stored securely. It is not repurposed, resold, or used for another client.
Are there matters you will not take?
Yes. We decline instructions where an intervention order, family violence order or similar protective order may be in place, or where the purpose appears to be harassment, stalking or intimidation. We confirm the purpose of every engagement before work begins.
Coverage and services
Do you work across all of Australia?
Yes — every state and territory, across metropolitan and regional areas. An interstate matter does not require a second agent or a separate engagement.
Which service do I need?
To find someone: skip tracing for commercial matters, locate a person for personal ones. To have documents formally delivered: process serving. To establish what someone owns: company, director and asset searches. If you are unsure, call us — we will tell you which applies, and if none of them do, we will say so. All services →
Can you handle a whole ledger rather than one file?
Yes. Bulk work — datawashing — is priced per file from $50, with a sample assessed before quoting so you see a realistic hit rate on your own data before committing. Bulk skip tracing →
Do you work with individuals, or only businesses?
Both. Most volume comes from law firms, collection agencies, insurers and lenders, but individual matters are regular work — locating family, beneficiaries, or confirming who you are dealing with online.
Still have a question?
Not every matter fits a standard answer. If you are unsure whether we can help, whether your information is enough to work with, or whether the approach you have in mind is appropriate, ask — we will give you a straight answer, and it costs nothing.
Need to locate someone?
Tell us what you know and we'll tell you honestly whether we can help — before you commit to anything.
Licensed by Victoria Police · 20+ years' experience · Australia-wide