Correctional Officer (QLD)

State/Territory Specific Information

Education and Training:

You can become a correctional officer without formal qualifications, but employers usually require at least Year 10. After being successfully shortlisted from your written application, you will need to complete an initial assessment examination, which includes literacy and numeracy tests and a psychological questionnaire. Applicants who progress to the interview stage must complete the division's Medical Assessment Declaration and undergo a police clearance.

If your application is successful, you will join Queensland Corrective Services and undertake a 10-week training course at the Queensland Corrective Services Academy in Wacol, covering correctional rules and procedures, law, weapons handling, self defence, social issues and human relations. You will then begin working as a trainee correctional officer under the supervision of an experienced officer. Contact the organisation to discuss your circumstances.

Additional Information:

You must pass a National Police Check to become a correctional officer.

While there is no minimum age requirement to work as a correctional officer, maturity and appropriate life experience are highly regarded.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

  1. Diploma of Justice
  2. Diploma of Justice - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  3. Diploma of Justice Studies *
  4. Advanced Diploma of Justice
  5. Bachelor of Behavioural Science - Psychology / Bachelor of Justice
  6. Bachelor of Creative Industries / Bachelor of Human Services
  7. Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  8. Bachelor of Human Services / Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  9. Bachelor of Human Services / Bachelor of Justice
  10. Bachelor of Justice - Criminology or Policing
  11. Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Employment Opportunities:

Correctional officers are employed in public and privately run correctional institutions. Private institutions are located at Wacol and Borallon. Competition for available positions is strong.

Correctional officers commence at base-grade officer level. Once trainee correctional officers achieve full correctional officer status, further opportunities for advancement exist as correctional supervisors and custodial specialist roles.

For Further Information:

Queensland Corrective Services

(07) 3836 0184
www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au

Information for other states and territories: