Correctional Officer

Looking for a change?

At Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW), we're looking for people ready to make a meaningful career change. If you've worked in trades, security, health, retail, farming, hospitality or care work, you may already have what it takes to get started.

We'll support you with paid training, including a nationally recognised Certificate III in Correctional Practice, so you can gain the skills and confidence you need to thrive in the role.

What's the job about?

Correctional Officers help keep our communities safe. They supervise and manage inmates in correctional facilities, including prisons and court cells throughout NSW.

This is a stable, hands on career that values common sense, teamwork, and strong communication skills.

Your role might include:

• Keeping inmates accounted for during daily routines like meals, headcounts, and movements
• Watching for safety or security risks and reporting concerns
• Searching cells or common areas to help keep the environment secure
• Supervising activities like work programs or visits
• Treating people fairly and consistently while enforcing rules

To find out more, watch our ‘Day in the Life of a Correctional Officer' video.

We are taking applications for the following centres.

• Cooma Correctional Centre

What's in it for you?

• A comprehensive 12-week paid training course.
• Casual and Ongoing opportunities available.
• Competitive base Salary rate of $75,151 pa plus superannuation and penalties for Ongoing Roles
• Casual rate $37.90 per hour
• Take advantage of 6 weeks of annual leave for Ongoing Roles
• Earn a nationally recognized Certificate III in Correctional Practice.
• Explore exciting career development opportunities into specialized roles.
• Plus, we offer additional study leave to support your continued growth and development.

Requirements of the role:

• Minimum age of 18 years old
• Hold a minimum of a current Provisional P1 Drivers Licence
• Australia or New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Willing to complete Certificate III in Correctional Practice.
• Meet the medical standards to be a correctional officer and have reasonable level of fitness.
• Body art or modifications that are on the face, scalp, ears, neck, or hands as well as tattoos or modifications of an offensive nature are prohibited. For this policy, the prohibited areas of the neck and hands are anything visible beyond the fastened collar or buttoned cuff of a long sleeve shirt. - Please refer to the dress manual below for further information.

It is important to note, that you can only apply for a Correctional Officer role with Corrective Services NSW ONCE in every 12 months and we will withdraw your application if you:

• Have applied for a Correctional Officer (Casual or Ongoing) or Overseer role within Corrective Services NSW within the last 12 months.
• You are currently going through the recruitment process for another location or Correctional Officer role within a Correctional Centre

Talent Pool

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.  Offers are based on location preference, capabilities, knowledge and experience.

Interested in applying?

Our application guide provides clear and practical advice on navigating the recruitment process — from preparing your resume and cover letter to responding to targeted questions and interview preparation. Check it out here.

What do you need to apply?

• A cover letter (max. 1 page) tell us why you're interested in becoming a Correctional Officer and What skills or experience you have that would make you a good fit for the role
• An up-to-date resume (max. 2 pages)
• Answer all questions on the online application form accurately and honestly.

For more information, visit the following helpful links.

• Role requirements, pre-employment checks and videos
• Dress Manual
• Recruitment process, recruitment adjustments and talent pools
• Download the role description  

Need help with your application?

For more information regarding the role, recruitment process or recruitment adjustments, please contact Rebecca Chippindale via rebecca.chippindale@dcj.nsw.gov.au or 02 8688 7149.

Alternatively, you can reach out to Talent Acquisition, or speak to one of our advisors on 1800 810 316 (option 1) and inform us of your preferred method of communication.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit.

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, women, people identifying as LGBTQIA+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.

Visit our careers site for more information about Inclusion & Diversity.