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Working as a Prison Officer - Application Process

Applicant requirements

Prison officers work in a demanding, challenging and rewarding environment. They are expected to act as positive role models for prisoners and assist in the rehabilitative process. High ethical standards are essential and applicants need to be able to meet Corrections Victoria's offence history policy. Anyone wishing to find out about employment in any of Victoria's private prisons should contact them directly.

Application, selection and initial training

Corrections Victoria recruits prison officers on a needs basis. All Current vacancies and upcoming vacancies are advertised on the Careers in Corrections website and may be seen in press outlets as well as on the Victorian Government Careers website. 

Corrections Victoria periodically facilitates public information sessions where prospective applicants can learn about the recruitment process and prison officer position. Details on all upcoming information sessions can be found on the Careers in Corrections website.

The prison officer recruitment process includes a number of stages and activities that all applicants must successfully complete. Stages include a telephone interview, suitability testing and an assessment centre. An assessment centre is a half day assessment intended to assess candidate's skills and abilities through a variety of activities including a behavioural interview and group exercise.

Applicants will be required to undertake a medical assessment, which is conducted by a Corrections Victoria appointed medical provider, plus a number of checks and security clearance processes in accordance with Victorian Government policy. This will include a Consent to Check and Release National Police Record & Finger Printing Check, also a VicRoads Check.

All successful candidates will be required to complete Corrections Victoria’s Pre-Service Training, which is a 7 week, full time training program.

Specialist streams 

There are two major specialist streams within the custodial officer (prison officer) category:

1. Industry supervisors who manage a caseload of prisoners in an industry setting, providing work-skills training and employment in a variety of industries such as:
   • metal fabrication
   • catering
   • horticulture
   • wooden products.
2. Security and Emergency Services Group who provide a specialist security function including:
   • emergency response to incidents
   • dog squad teams for drug detection and searching
   • intelligence gathering
   • high security escorts
   • specialist training.

Eligibility

Although no formal qualifications are required to apply for the Prison Officer position, there are a number of characteristics that help make an effective officer:

• being team orientated and able to work in a team environment
• having strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• being ethical, honest and accountable in all situations
• being able to work effectively in a high pressure environment
• having high levels of maturity and strong problem solving skills
• having strong people management skills
• being able to reserve judgement and engage others.

Corrections Victoria is looking for people who, along with the above characteristics, have life experience and the necessary skills that they can bring to the position.

It is also helpful for candidates to have completed VCE or at least a Year 10 level of education and/or a trade or TAFE certificate, although these are not essential requirements.

All applicants must also meet the criteria set out in Corrections Victoria offence history policy.