As a Prison Officer, you will play an important role in maintaining community safety while supporting people in custody to make positive changes. The role is diverse, rewarding and offers a range of career development opportunities.
Our Prison Officers maintain the safety, security and effective operation of prisons across Western Australia. They also play an important role in supporting rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes for people in custody.
Building professional and respectful relationships with people in custody is one of the most rewarding aspects of the role.
The Department of Justice values a diverse workforce and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures and life experiences.
We recognise the unique attributes that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people bring to the role.
Strong communication skills, professionalism, resilience, sound judgement and the ability to build respectful relationships are important qualities for the role.
As a Prison Officer working for the Department of Justice, you will:
- support the Department in achieving its mission of a fair, just and safe community for all Western Australians
- contribute to the safe, secure and effective operation of prisons across Western Australia.
- support rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes by encouraging positive change and personal growth among people in custody.
Enjoy a rewarding career with excellent conditions and a competitive salary.
More than security
Modern correctional practice is about balancing safety with support. Prison Officers build professional and respectful relationships with people in custody, use communication and sound judgement to manage challenging situations, and contribute to environments where positive change can occur.
Prison Officers work as part of a diverse team committed to community safety, rehabilitation and inclusion.
The role
Prison Officers maintain the safety, security and good order of prisons while supporting people in custody to engage in positive and meaningful activities.
You will build professional relationships with people in custody while maintaining appropriate boundaries, integrity and professionalism at all times. Balancing authority, professionalism and understanding is essential to success in the role.
Your tasks will vary according to the security level of the prison and may include:
- supervising and interacting with people in custody
- maintaining the safety, security and good order of the prison
- conducting patrols, inspections and searches
- escorting and transporting prisoners
- monitoring prisoner activities and movements
- responding to incidents and emergency situations
- preparing reports and maintaining records
- applying prison rules, policies and procedures consistently and professionally
- supporting rehabilitation and reintegration activities
- working collaboratively with colleagues and other service providers.
Who Succeeds as a Prison Officer?
Show moreSuccessful Prison Officers come from a wide range of backgrounds and industries. We are looking for people who are resilient, adaptable, accountable and committed to helping others make positive changes.
Previous corrections experience is not required. Many successful Prison Officers have backgrounds in customer service, hospitality, security, defence, emergency services, healthcare, trades, transport, retail and community services.
The ability to communicate effectively, work as part of a team, follow procedures and remain calm under pressure is highly valued.
The benefits
Show morePrison Officers enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave entitlements and a range of benefits that support career development, wellbeing and work-life balance.
- employment security
- flexible working conditions - prisons operate on a 24 hour roster system, 7 days a week
- generous leave entitlements including:
- up to 6 weeks of annual leave
- personal leave
- parental leave (paid and unpaid)
- study leave
- long service leave after 7 years
- purchased leave
- salary for Prison Officers on shift work as of 11 June 2026 is $97,610 - $111,150 per annum plus superannuation
- training salary at the Academy as of 11 June 2026 is $75,520 per annum plus superannuation
- opportunities for promotion and career development
- supplied uniforms
- regional incentives including a regional incentive allowance of $111.90 or $223.81 per fortnight as of 11 June 2026 (depending on the location)
- the ability to utilise your life experience to help a prisoner turn their life around.
If you are interested in working in a regional area you may be eligible for a number of additional benefits as outlined below. These vary per location and will be explained further to you throughout the selection process.
- Additional annual leave
- Additional allowances
- Annual leave travel concessions
- Subsidised rental (not applicable to local recruits)
- Home ownership scheme
- Subsidised utilities
Recruitment and selection process
Show moreThe selection process for Prison Officers usually incorporates a range of assessments. Some of these may include:
- written application
- employment profile assessment, which includes:
- aptitude test
- language, literacy and numeracy test
- personality questionnaires
- in some cases, an interview with a psychologist
- selection panel interview
- reference checks
- medical assessment
- Physical Readiness Test (PRT)
- criminal history and integrity screening
- any other assessments or checks as noted in the job advertisement.
Eligibility Requirements
Show moreTo be eligible for appointment as a Prison Officer position, you must:
To apply, you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or hold Australian permanent residency.
- hold a current unrestricted C-Class Driver's Licence (or recognised equivalent).
- if you are a former Department employee, you must not have previously had a re-engagement application declined or had your employment terminated by the Department.
- submit only one application per advertised vacancy. Multiple applications for the same vacancy may result in all applications being excluded from consideration.
Important: You must meet all eligibility requirements at the time of application. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not progress.
Pre-Appointment Requirements
Before appointment, successful applicants must:
- complete and pass all required pre-employment assessments, including medical, psychological and physical readiness assessments
- obtain a satisfactory National Criminal History Check
- successfully complete the Department's Integrity Assessment Process
- hold a current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid qualification (or equivalent).
Important: Your First Aid qualification must have at least three months validity remaining at your commencement date.
Training
Show moreAll Prison Officers complete a paid Entry Level Training Program (ELTP) designed to provide the knowledge, skills and practical experience required to perform the role safely and confidently, through the Department of Justice Registered Training Organisation (0843). Located at the Corrective Services Academy in Bentley, the Department of Justice RTO is an enterprise RTO, established to support workforce capability and professional standards at Corrective Services.
During the ELTP, you will cover topics such as communication skills, the judicial system, welfare skills, cross-cultural awareness, addiction studies, writing skills, offender management, prisoner programs, self-defence, security and emergency procedures and communicable diseases.
Following successful completion of Academy training, VET students continue learning on the job, working towards attainment of the nationally recognised qualification, CSC30122 Certificate III in Correctional Practice (Custodial). After nine months of probation, officers may be recommended for permanency, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of the qualification.
During the initial training component of the ELTP you will be required to complete physically demanding activities essential to providing a safe work environment. To ensure you are ready for this physical work you will be required to complete a physical fitness assessment during your pre-selection, and again at the beginning of the ELTP course. All participants must pass this assessment to progress.
Accelerated Training Program
Show moreAn Accelerated Training Program (ATP) may be available to applicants with prior prisoner-facing custodial experience. Accelerated Training Programs are designed for experienced correctional officers with significant custodial experience and relevant qualifications. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Officers must have achieved their Cert III in Correctional Practice (Australia) or Level 3 in Offender Management (New Zealand) and served their probationary period in Australia or New Zealand, with no more than 2 years break in service.
Our Recruitment team will be in contact to discuss options.
Custodial Staff re-engagement
Show moreIf you have been previously employed as a Custodial Officer with Department of Justice, Western Australia, you may be eligible to re-engage.
Re-engagement is available to Prison Officers, Youth Custodial Officers and Prison Officers – Special Operations Group who have resigned within the last two years and have completed their probation.
Complete the online form and the Recruitment Team will progress your application to re-engage to the Delegated Authority for consideration. You will be advised of the outcome and next steps in due course.
