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Prison Officer Salary in Australia: Exploring the Pay Gaps in 2025

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Prison Officer Salary in Australia

The prison officer in Australia plays a crucial role in maintaining order, security, and safety within the correctional facilities. This job can be physically demanding and emotionally challenging, requiring strong communication, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Salaries for prison officers in Australia range widely, with good entry-level earning potential. In this complete article, we will elaborate on the information on prison officer salary in Australia with the major factors that influence the salary breakdown of a prison officer in Australia. 

How Much Does a Prison Officer Earn in Australia? 

The average prison officer salary in Australia varies depending on experience and location. On average, a prison officer earns around AUD 45,100 annually, which is approximately AUD 3,758 per month. Entry-level positions can expect a lower salary, with the lowest annual earnings around AUD 20,900, or AUD 1,741 per month. On the other hand, experienced officers or those in senior positions can earn up to AUD 68,900 annually, equating to AUD 5,741 per month. These figures reflect the salary range for prison officers, offering a broad spectrum depending on career progression and specialized roles within the correctional system

Know about the average Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 

Experience Wise Prison Officer Salary in Australia

Here’s a detailed breakdown of prison officer salaries in Australia based on years of experience. Salaries increase with experience, training, and additional responsibilities.

Experience Level Average Salary Per Year 
0-2 YearsAUD 23,400 
2-5 YearsAUD 30,700
5-10 YearsAUD 44,500
10-15 YearsAUD 55,200
15-20 YearsAUD 59,200
20+ YearsAUD 64,600

Education Wise Prison Officer Salary in Australia

In Australia, a prison officer’s salary can vary depending on their level of education. While formal education is not always a strict requirement for becoming a prison officer, having additional qualifications can influence salary progression and career advancement opportunities.

Education  LevelAverage Salary Per Year 
High SchoolAUD 29,600 
Certificate or DiplomaAUD 53,300

What are the major Factors Affecting Average Salary in Australia 2025

Organisation Wise Prison Officer Salary in Australia

Here’s a detailed breakdown of prison officer salaries in Australia by organization, focusing on government and private operators:

Organisation Average Salary Per Year 
Department of Justice and Community SafetyAUD 63,000- AUD 69,000
Corrective Services NSWAUD 69,000- EUR 91,000 
ACT Public Service Health DirectorateAUD 67,000- AUD 88,000
ACT Auditor-General’s OfficeAUD 65,000- AUD 85,000
Cultural Facilities CorpAUD 67,00- AUD 88,000
The Gro Group of Australia AUD 60,000- AUD 90,000
NSW Department of Communities and JusticeAUD 67,000- AUD 81,000
Government of South AustraliaAUD  66,000- AUD 75,000

Cities Wise Prison Officer Salary in Australia

Prison officer salaries in Australia can vary depending on the city or region where you work, due to differences in cost of living, demand for officers, and allowances for working in remote areas. Here’s a city-by-city breakdown of prison officer salaries:

Cities Average Salary Per Year 
AdelaideAUD 43,500 
BrisbaneAUD 45,000
Canberra-QueanbeyanAUD 41,400
Gold Coast-TweedAUD 42,700
GosfordAUD 39,600 
MelbourneAUD 45,000 
NewcastleAUD 38,900
PerthAUD 45,100
Sunshine CoastAUD 42,000
WollongongAUD 40,000
SydneyAUD 46,400
Prison Officer Salary in Australia

Positions Wise Prison Officer Salary in Australia

Here’s a breakdown of prison officer salaries in Australia by position, detailing entry-level roles through to senior management and specialized roles:

Positions Average Salary Per Year 
Control Room OperatorAUD 27,400
Fire Education SpecialistAUD 81,700
Forensic InvestigatorAUD 94,200
InvestigatorAUD 103,600
Jail OfficerAUD 43,500
Parole OfficerAUD 49,700
Police CaptainAUD 114,300
Security AdviserAUD 103,600
Surveillance OperatorADU 39,800
Traffic ControllerAUD 57,100 

Know about the Detailed Guide on Highest Paying Part-Time Jobs in Australia

FAQs

Q1: How do you become a prison officer in Australia?

Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident 18 years of age or older.
Consider completing a formal qualification.
Apply to become a Correctional Officer through the justice department in your state or territory.
If your application is successful, you’ll join a training program.

Q2: What are prison officers called in Australia?

“Correctional officer” is used in Australia, Canada, Jamaica, and the U.S. In Australia, prison officers were known as turnkeys until the 19th century after which they were known as warders until the late 20th century.

Q3: What is the role of a prison officer in Australia?

The main responsibilities of a prison officer are to contribute to offender rehabilitation and to maintain the safety and security of the prison facility, prisoners and staff.

Q4: Do prisoners in Australia work?

All prisoners undergo reception and assessment before being placed in a prison unit appropriate to the prison and the prisoner’s needs. Generally, all sentenced prisoners are expected to work and are encouraged to participate in vocational education and training programs as well as rehabilitation programs. 

This was all the information about the Prison Officer Salary in Australia, for more such blogs on salary follow Leverage Edu and our official page Jobs Abroad for Jobs and salary updates 

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