Job Description

Trainee Correctional Officer (automatically converted to a Correctional Officer Grade 1 upon successful completion of training)
n Full time Permanent

n

Details: Do you have what it takes to be a Correctional Officer? Do you have life experience and an interest in community safety? Do you like working in a team and have exceptional communication skills? Are you resilient when faced with challenging situations and environments? Do you have the maturity to be assertive whilst remaining level-headed, non-judgemental, fair and respectful? If so, this may be the role for you!

n

ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS) is seeking suitable applicants to fill several Correctional Officer positions within their Court Transport Unit (CTU).

n

Successful applicants will be required to complete a 12-week(60 working day) Correctional Recruit Training (CRT) course in the first instance and will receive a training salary of $65,146 per annum (+ superannuation) for this period. The CRT will provide you with all the relevant training to be a competent and accomplished Correctional Officer. This includes all aspects of capability ranging from legislation and policies, to report writing and managing challenging behaviours.

n

Following the successful completion of the CRT training, you will automatically become a Correctional Officer Grade 1 earning a salary range between$79,546 and $93,658 per annum, plus superannuation. You will also be supported to complete a fully funded, nationally recognised Certificate III in Correctional Practice.

n

The CTU operates Monday to Friday, with staff required to work eight-hour shifts at the ACT Courts. As a CTU officer, you will also be required to undertake shifts at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) as part of your regular eight-hour roster. This provides valuable operational experience, supporting potential future transfer opportunities to the AMC.

n

ACTCS will be hosting an information session for people interested in learning more about these opportunities.



Senior ACTCS staff will team up with current Correctional Officers to describe what it is like to work in a correctional environment. You will also have the chance to find out more about the opportunities for women, young people and people from diverse backgrounds, as well as details about the required training. (Please note, attendance at the information session is not mandatory).

n

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

n

For more information, please refer to the "Frequently Asked Questions"

n

Eligibility/Other requirements

n

n
- Relevant custodial experience or Certificate III in Correctional Practice are essential. If Certificate III in Correctional Practice is not held it must be attained within 12 months of completion of Custodial Recruit Training.
n
- Current unrestricted full Driver's licence 'Class C' is essential.
n
- Senior First Aid Certificate is essential. (To be obtained during Custodial Recruit Training).
n
- This position requires the following pre-employment testing:n n
- Psychological testing,
n
- Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital testing,
n
- Medical and Functional/Fitness testing
n

n
- Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra
n




- Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check.
n
- To be eligible for permanent or temporary employment within the ACT Public Service (ACTPS) you must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or hold a valid work visa.
n
- If an officer no longer holds a visa that permits them to work in Australia, their employment with the ACT Public Service (ACTPS) will be terminated.
n

n

Notes

n

A Merit Pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months. Current and former ADF members are encouraged to apply.

n

We encourage applications from a diverse range of individuals with varying work and life experiences, in particular applications from women and from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

n

Applications closeWednesday, 28 th of October 2026.

n

There are five stages to this recruitment process: (1) initial application assessment; (2) Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing, Digital Literacy testing and written assessment; (3) psychometric (psychological aptitude) testing; (4) interview; and (5) referee assessment.

n

You will be notified if you do not progress from one stage to the next.

n

Candidates who successfully complete each stage will undergo a functional assessment, medical assessment and a national police check and you will be required to have a current Working with Vulnerable People registration upon commencement of the CRT.

n

If employed as a Correctional Officer, you will be required to complete the Certificate III in Correctional Practice (as varied) within twelve months from completing the Custodial Recruit Training Program.

n

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal .

📌 Trainee Correctional Officer (automatically converted to a Correctional Officer Grade 1 upon success (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Capital Territory
📍 Canberra