Take the first step in your new career at our employment expo
Ever thought about a career in corrections? Join us at the Western Plains Employment Expo on November 6.
Learn about the job opportunities available at Victoria’s newest correctional centre. Have your questions answered by experienced staff.
Tour our state-of-the-art facility and speak to our friendly recruitment team to get your application started.
Becoming a prison officer at Western Plains is a secure role with great benefits and career progression opportunities:
- Earn up to $88,546 with a base salary of $61,620 plus penalty rates and overtime
- Fully paid on the job training plus ongoing learning opportunities
- Generous leave entitlements
- An innovative and dynamic workplace
- $5,000 sign-on bonus*
Expo details
Wednesday 6 November
5:30pm – 8pm
Western Plains Correctional Centre
1150 Bacchus Marsh Road, Lara
Registration to attend the employment expo is essential. Registering for the event is not an application to the role.
Note that you must be an Australian or NZ citizen or have Australian permanent residency to become a prison officer. The department does not offer sponsorship.
Please email wpcc.enquiries@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) for any enquiries.
We’re recruiting now
Prison officers play a vital role in the rehabilitation of people in custody and maintaining the safety and security of the facility. It’s a challenging yet highly rewarding role—often considered one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets.
New prison officers may also be eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus, paid in two increments 6 and 12 months after commencing the role. Conditions apply and are listed below.
No prior experience is needed, as we provide comprehensive paid training. With competitive pay, benefits, and career growth, your new path could be closer than you think.
Western Plains Correctional Centre
Western Plains is Victoria's newest maximum-security correctional facility.
It takes a people-first approach to offender management, with a focus on the well-being of both staff and the people in our care.
Joining Western Plains offers the opportunity of working with innovative and cutting-edge technology to make a positive impact every day.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help shape the future of corrections.
Learn more about Western Plains
Full conditions and eligibility criteria of $5,000 sign-on bonus
To be eligible for the $5,000 sign-on bonus, you must:
- have applied to become a trainee prison officer after 13 September 2023
- not be an employee of the Department of Justice and Community Safety when appointed as a trainee prison officer
- have completed your probationary period and had your employment confirmed in accordance with the provisions within the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024
- not be subject to formal under performance processes or proven misconduct
- be employed as an ongoing prison officer* after 6 months of continuous service† (to receive the first bonus)
- be employed as an ongoing prison officer after 12 months of continuous service (to receive the second bonus).
* Part-time employees will be paid a pro-rata value, based on the percentage of full-time hours they’re contracted to work.
† Continuous service means the total time you have spent working as a custodial officer (including time as a trainee prison officer).