Correctional Officer

A correctional officer supervises and manages detainees and prisoners in custodial facilities operated by Australian state, territory, or federal correctional authorities. They maintain security and order within correctional centres, conduct cell inspections and searches, escort prisoners between locations, and respond to incidents using approved restraint and de-escalation techniques. The role involves monitoring prisoner behaviour, enforcing institutional rules, and documenting compliance with relevant legislation including state and territory corrections legislation.

Conduct frisk searches, cell searches, and contraband seizures in accordance with security protocols and privacy legislation. Patrol designated areas of correctional facilities on foot or vehicle to detect security breaches, unusual behaviour, or rule violations. Escort and supervise prisoners during movement between cells, work areas, medical facilities, and court appearances. Monitor closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and security cameras to observe prisoner activity and alert to disturbances. Respond to incidents including prisoner altercations, self-harm, fires, or escape attempts using approved physical intervention and de-escalation techniques. Conduct count procedures at specified times to verify prisoner location and identify absences or irregularities. Complete incident reports documenting rule breaches, injuries, disciplinary actions, and security concerns for management review and legal records. Operate and maintain security equipment including locks, alarms, communication systems, and access control systems.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate II or III (ABS skill level 4). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

The job carries real physical and psychological risk. You'll face violence, threats, and verbal abuse regularly. You'll also witness self-harm, mental health crises, and deaths. Many officers develop PTSD or anxiety. Pay is modest for the stress, and shift work including nights, weekends, and public holidays is non-negotiable. Burnout is common.

Each state runs its own corrections system, so you typically apply to your state's department. Regional and remote prisons exist but are fewer. Most positions are on-site only; remote work is not an option.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 4421, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Active Listeningcore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Case Note Documentationcore
• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliancecore
• Conflict De-escalationcore
• Conflict Resolutioncore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Professional Boundaries Maintenancecore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Trauma-Informed Communicationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
• Escalation Management
• Problem Solving
• Record Management
• Team Collaboration
• Workload Self-Management
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Correctional Officer workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026