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How to Become a Correctional Officer: Australian Careers in Criminology

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What is a Correctional Officer?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Correctional Officer?

A Correctional Officer watches over inmates in Australian prisons and detention centres. Their job is to keep order, enforce rules, and protect staff and inmates. They also back rehabilitation by helping inmates join education and skills programs.

Officers work in shifts to run the daily life of a centre. They do security checks, search for banned items, and watch for signs of conflict or distress. Good communication and fitness are both needed in this role.

Correctional Officers work for state or territory corrections departments or private operators. The role suits those who want a career in public safety. Entry-level jobs are open to applicants without a degree.

On-the-job training often leads to nationally recognised qualifications. Officers can move into senior roles, case work, or expert areas such as intelligence or programs delivery.

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Career snapshots For Correctional Officers

Around 19,800 people work as Correctional Officers in Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Almost all roles are full-time. Officers average 43 hours per week.

The median age is 40 years. Women make up 26% of the workforce. NSW employs the largest share at 30%, followed by Queensland at 21% and Victoria at 20%.

Median full-time weekly earnings are $2,080 (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). That is about $108,000 per year, including shift penalties and allowances.

Annual employment growth is slightly negative, with JSA recording a net decline of around 1,500 positions per year. Ongoing demand exists across all states and territories.

What will I do?

Correctional Officers keep prisons and detention centres safe every day. They watch over inmates, enforce rules, and back rehab programs. The role needs calm, focus, and clear communication.

  • Watching inmate conduct to prevent trouble and escapes
  • Checking locks, window bars, grilles, doors, and gates
  • Supervising inmates during work, recreation, meals, and sport
  • Helping to run education, rehab, and skills programs
  • Searching cells and inmates for weapons, drugs, and contraband
  • Patrolling assigned areas and reporting rule breaches or inmate concerns
  • Managing requests for inmates’ clothing, toiletries, and reading material
  • Supervising and moving inmates between courts, prisons, and other centres

What skills do I need?

Clear communication is the top skill for a Correctional Officer. Officers must speak plainly with inmates, colleagues, and outside agencies. They also need to listen well and stay calm when things get tense.

Fitness matters too. The role can mean moving fast in an incident or restraining someone. Good observation helps officers spot problems early, making the centre safer for all.

Emotional strength is a must. Officers deal with people under great stress each day. The ability to stay fair and calm, even in hard moments, is what sets strong officers apart.

Skills/attributes

  • Clear verbal and written communication
  • Ability to stay calm under pressure
  • Conflict resolution and de-escalation
  • Attention to detail and observation
  • Physical fitness and stamina
  • Problem-solving and quick thinking
  • Empathy and emotional resilience
  • Teamwork and reliability
  • Knowledge of correctional law and procedures
  • Ability to enforce rules consistently and fairly
  • Critical thinking in high-pressure situations
  • Adaptability to changing circumstances
  • Strong situational awareness
  • Commitment to safety and security
  • Discretion in handling sensitive information

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.