Change lives and serve with pride

Role model, custodian, diplomat, community member — and so much more. Discover all that you can do as a Correctional Case Officer or Supervisor with Serco today. Click on the links below to learn more about the job duties, requirements, application process, and more.

Looking for an opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives? Then a career as a Correctional Case Officer or Correctional Supervisor may be for you.

The role of correctional staff is multifaceted — and no two days are ever the same. You’ll provide safe and secure custody to those entrusted into our care, protect the community and reduce reoffending. Corrections is a people-first profession that can instill a real sense of pride as you play a key role in the positive transformation of inmates’ lives and the wider community.

You will be supervising individuals and supporting them throughout their rehabilitation journey. You’ll be in a key position of influence and set an example by building positive relationships with those in our careinmates and guiding them along the behavioural change process toward a crime-free life.

Correctional Case Officers have a number of core responsibilities, including:

• professionalism
• safety and security
• inmate interaction
• risk management
• cultural responsiveness
• teamwork

Sharing the core responsibilities of the Correctional Case Officer, the Correctional Supervisor has additional accountability, including:

• management and support of Correctional Case Officers
• care and well-being
• management of accommodation and core day
• support of operational regime
• contractual and legislative governance
• resource management

Apply here

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Make the move to make a difference

This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to transition into a new career with the promise of bringing about positive and lasting change in the lives of others. We will provide you with all the training and qualifications you need to succeed, and the role comes with plenty of room for advancement into other specialities. Learn more about all that awaits you below.

Work in a state-of-the-art facility

The Clarence Correctional Centre is a new state-of-the-art facility located just outside Grafton, NSW. Opened in 2020, the facility is already the largest correctional centre in Australia. View the video below to get a virtual tour of this groundbreaking new location.

Live in Grafton

The charming town of Grafton, NSW is located on the banks of the Clarence River. Its extensive green space (the city boasts some 24 individual parks), close proximity to beaches and charming restaurants and pubs make it an ideal location to hang your hat at the end of the day.

Join a diverse and supportive team

This job can be challenging, but your colleagues will always have your back. Serco is committed to building diverse workforces with equal opportunity for all. In this spirit, the Clarence Correctional Centre welcomes applicants from all genders and backgrounds to strengthen and enrich its existing team.

Grow your career with Serco

More than just finding a job, embarking on a career through Serco can help you get the continual training and development you need to advance your career.

If you wish to continue with your correctional career, you can progress and/or specialise in corrections. There are also other departments within the centre that you can move into, such as facilities management, industries, education, security and intelligence. The Correctional Case Officer role is the stepping stone to a career pathway and may specialise in areas such as industries, dog unit, emergency response team, rehabilitation and reintegration and leadership roles.

Think you've got what it takes? Read on for a full list of job and eligibility requirements to see if a role in corrections is right for you.

Can you do it?

You can if you've got resilience, integrity, and professionalism to handle an ever-changing day, irrespective of the challenging situations you may face.

Every inmate reacts differently, and you will see a full range of emotions — from apathy and anger to remorse and trauma. For the person in custody, it can be one of the most stressful situations they will ever encounter, but for you, it’s an everyday part of your job. Your natural patience, understanding and commitment to helping people will put you in good stead and give you the authority needed for this role.

Our team is looking for candidates who have:

• tolerance and understanding
• resilience and self-awareness
• respects diversity and cultural differences
• tenacity to resolve practical problems
• exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• a commitment to supporting their colleagues and working in a team based environment
• the highest level of integrity and ethical behaviour
• role model responsible behaviour that will have a positive impact on inmates making our communities safer

Are you eligible to be a Correctional Case Officer?

First, you'll need to meet our essential criteria, which includes having the right to work in Australia. Beyond that, we'll check things like your general health and physical fitness. We'll also expect you to pass a basic language, literacy, and numeracy test—alongside the ability to demonstrate the personal qualities we're looking for — when you come in for an assessment day.

These tests aren't just to make the selection process easier, they're designed to make sure you have the right skills and attitude to get the most from the role.

If you would like to pursue a correctional career with Serco, you will go through the following recruitment journey, which will take approximately 12 weeks. 

1. Online application

All applicants will be required to apply online, where you will need to complete an applicant profile and upload your resume. You will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your application.

If you’re not yet ready to apply, you can subscribe to our talent community to stay updated with new jobs and employment information. To create an account, click here. 

2. Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) online testing

You will then be invited to complete an online LLN assessment, which covers aspects of reading, writing, oral communication, learning, and numeracy to confirm your ability to undertake the role. You can practice a similar test using this sample link. This is a sample test only and not the full test that will form part of the recruitment process. This sample test provides feedback on whether you may require more development.

3. Screening and video interview

If successful in the LLN assessment, you will then be invited to complete a prerecorded video interview, where you will be required to record yourself answering specific behaviour-based questions.

4. Assessment centre

If successful in the video interview, you will be invited to attend a one-day assessment centre, which involves a number of aspects, including:

• welcome and introduction to working as a Correctional Case Officer
• behaviour-based interview
• teamwork exercise
• report-writing exercise
• agility test

5. Online testing

If successful in the assessment centre, you will be invited to complete online psychometric and emotional intelligence testing to evaluate your ability to empathise with others and assess others' emotions.

6. Probity and medical assessment

You will then be asked to undergo probity checks and a medical assessment, including:

• two (2) work reference checks
• completing and submitting compliance paperwork
• a national criminal history check, ID check and work rights
• various security checks and clearances
• full pre-employment medical and physical functional assessment, including drug and alcohol testing.
• if required, have in ready reach your qualifications and transcripts

7. Verbal offer

If you are a preferred applicant, you will be verbally offered a position subject to obtaining state approval.

8. State approval

Once you accept your verbal offer, Serco will coordinate your employee authorisation and clearance with Corrective Services NSW.

9. Formal offer

If your application is approved, you will be given a formal written offer that sets out your terms and conditions of employment, including your start date.

10. Onboarding and initial training course (ITC)

After you have received your formal offer, you will attend an initial training course and be required to have 100 percent attendance.

The ITC will provide high-quality training where you will obtain your nationally accredited Certificate III or IV in Correctional Practice. Experienced officers will support those commencing their career as a Correctional Case Officer.

A correctional centre work environment can involve many activities that require lifting, bending and quick response. To effectively measure an employee’s risk in safely performing these duties, we require corrective services staff to have a good general level of fitness and health — a standard which will be evaluated annually throughout the extent of their employment.

As part of the application process for a Correctional Case Officer or Supervisor, you will be asked to complete an agility assessment while attending the one-day assessment centre. An instructor will lead you through the activities, but as a guide, you can expect the following:

• a warm-up consisting of a range of motion exercises and light stretching
• holding yourself in the plank position for a maximum of one minute
• completing a multistage shuttle run (of about 150 m)
• completing as many sit-ups as possible, to a maximum of 10
• completing as many push-ups as possible, to a maximum of 10
• lifting a heavy weight (maximum 30 kg) and carrying for 20 metres
• jumping and hopping on the spot

You don't need to be super fit or an athlete, just capable of fulfilling the duties of a Corrections Officer. If it has been a while since you got your body moving, you may want to get some advanced practice in now and build your general fitness level.