New Accelerated Training Program boosts Prison Officer numbers

The six week paid Accelerated Training Program (ATP) takes half the time of a standard 12-week paid Prison Officer training program and supports efforts to boost Prison Officer numbers State-wide.

The ATP is already delivering extra staff to WA prisons, with 12 graduates celebrating their completion of the 6-week “refresher” training course at the Corrective Services Academy this week.

Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said it meant more skilled staff entering the workforce faster.

“I’m extremely pleased to welcome these experienced Prison Officers back to join our team,” he said.

“As they celebrate their completion of accelerated training, two more classes comprising close to 50 probationary Prison Officers have simultaneously graduated the standard 12-week training course.”

“This equates to almost 60 extra staff joining prison teams across WA,” Commissioner Royce said.

The Accelerated Training Program is available to qualified individuals from Australia or New Zealand who hold a Certificate III in Correctional Practice.

They must have completed their probationary period and had no more than 2 years break in service.

“The introduction of accelerated training is just one innovative strategy we’ve rolled out as we push to recruit and train more staff,” Commissioner Royce said.

“Last year we announced a regional-based training initiative that’s seen Corrective Services Academy trainers travel to Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie to train Prison Officers locally, where they live, instead of requiring applicants to travel to Perth,” he said.

“We’ve also introduced generous new regional financial incentives, including a bonus of close to $12,000 for every three consecutive years Prison Officers serve at Eastern Goldfields and West Kimberley Regional Prisons.”

Last year, Corrective Services Academy staff trained close to 400 people to work in WA prisons, detention centres, work camps and the community, and this year are looking to top those numbers.

“The outstanding achievements of our trainers is reflected in the Department of Justice winning a prestigious WA Training Award for 2025,” Commissioner Royce said.

The Department won the WA Training Awards 'Large Employer of the Year category.