How to become a prison officer in Australia
Prison Officers supervise and control the activities of inmates in prisons and other correctional institutions.
The all-jobs median is $1,852 a week. Jobs in the prison officers group are projected to grow 9.5% between May 2025 and May 2035, slower than the 13.3% projected for all jobs. Projections are indicative, not forecasts, and JSA says they don't yet reflect generative AI.
What the job involves
- Observing the conduct and behaviour of prisoners to prevent disturbances and escapes
- Inspecting and maintaining the security of locks, window bars, grilles, doors and gates
- Supervising prisoners during work assignments, recreational periods, sporting activities and meals
- Assisting with the implementation of education, rehabilitation and other programs organised for prisoners
- Searching prisoners and cells for weapons, drugs and other contraband items
- Patrolling assigned areas and reporting breaches of rules, unsatisfactory attitudes and prisoner adjustment problems
How to get there
What it usually takes. A Certificate II or III. This is the skill level Jobs and Skills Australia gives the prison officers group, and some roles differ.
What people in the job have. Highest qualification held: 13% a degree or higher, 15% a diploma, 45% a Certificate III or IV.
Apprenticeship or traineeship. This job isn't on the current Priority List we checked, which only covers occupations in demand, so that doesn't rule one out. Ask a TAFE or an Apprentice Connect provider.
Many jobs also need registration, a licence or a specific accredited course. Check the professional body or regulator before you choose.
Courses that can lead here
Estimate your ATAR and this page shows the gap to each course. Your marks stay on your device.
We haven't matched this job to courses in the admissions lists. It usually starts with training on the job or at a registered training provider, not a course through an admissions centre. See Your Career.
Does it fit your interests?
Strongest interest areas for this kind of work: Realistic, Conventional, Social.
From O*NET ratings for "Correctional Officers and Jailers", the closest US occupation in JSA's correspondence (a good match). US ratings are a guide to Australian jobs, not a measurement of them.
Careers with similar interests
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Share your storyJob data: © Commonwealth of Australia, Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles, February 2026 and Employment Projections, May 2025 to May 2035 (Victoria University), CC BY 4.0. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.2 to O*NET-SOC 2019 Taxonomy correspondence.
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Curve ATAR has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.