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Correctional Services

Overview

Within Australia’s justice system, the Correctional Services industry plays a major role in the management and supervision of offenders in both custodial and community-based corrections.

Within the correctional services sector there is the aim to reduce the risk of re-offence through services and programs focussed on successful reintegration.

What does this industry cover?

  • Prisoner rehabilitation
  • Maintaining good order & the security of prisons
  • Supervising offenders in the community
  • Case management

Industry Information

The correctional services industry in 2012 employed approximately 30,000 people working across around 114 custodial facilities across Australia.  It has a projected growth rate of 4.2%.

Correctional facilities are typically managed by state and territory governments, however, a number of facilities are now managed privately in NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA.

Traineeship and apprenticeship commencements in this sector are quite low.

Employment and wage data for this industry

Apprenticeships Employment Size

This is a small industry for Australian Apprenticeship commencements. In the year to September 2018, commencements were: 364

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 28/03/2019. AATIS analysis.

Commencements Change

Commencements in the year to September 2018 in this industry have decreased, compared with the previous year.

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 28/03/2019. AATIS analysis.

Apprentice Employment Outcomes

For Australian Apprentice graduates from this industry, employment outcomes are high.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2017, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Employment Size

This is a small to medium sized industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2018. AATIS analysis.

Industry Employment Change

Over the past 5 years, change in employment in this industry has increased.

Source: Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2018. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

The average wage of all employees in this industry is medium.

Source: Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2018. AATIS analysis.

Key Occupations

Community Custodial Officer

Custodial Security Officer

Youth Custodial Officer

Prison Officer

This industry is positioned in the following groups

Industry

Government, Schools, Public Safety & Corrections

Work Types

Helping & Advising

Organising & Clerical

Ready to see where Correctional Services can take you?

Career Pathways

The  Correctional Services Industry has career pathways from Certificate II through to Diploma. Look at the Job Pathway Chart to see what is of interest.

Job Pathway Charts

MyGain - YouTube Channel

Watch videos on apprentices in various industries and their rewarding experiences doing an apprenticeship.

MyGain

Support Services

Apprenticeship Network Provider Finder

Apprenticeship Network providers can give information about starting an apprenticeship or traineeship, eligibility questions, and they also handle the paperwork and ongoing administration of apprentices and trainees.

Group Training Organisations Finder

Group Training Organisations employ apprentices and trainees and then host them out to employers. These organisations can provide great information about starting a career through Australian Apprenticeships.

Work Type Explorer

Search for Job and Training Descriptions by selecting from seven work type descriptions. For more details, take yourself through the Career Interest Explorer.

Further Research

Information

Industry information is published by peak level associations, government and major employers.  Accessing industry association sites, including member lists, is a good way of building up an understanding of an industry.  Visiting employer websites and looking for careers or employment menus helps identify how employers recruit and the skills they are recruiting.

Use Google to search for the organisations listed below. 

Government 

  • Attorney General’s Department
  • Corrections Victoria
  • Corrective Services NSW
  • Queensland Corrective Services
  • Department for Correctional Services South Australia
  • Department for Correctional Services Western Australia
  • Tasmanian Department of Justice
  • Department of Correctional Services - Northern Territory
  • ACT Corrective Services

Career SItes