Being a correctional officer in the Northern Territory is a more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a difference while progressing your career.
You can positively influence people who need it most, while developing your skills and broadening your experience. That’s why we are dedicated to recruiting and supporting a diverse and multi-skilled workforce through professional training and career opportunity.
If you’re currently an experienced correctional officer in New Zealand, join our team and work with us in Alice Springs.
We can offer you a two-year contract with relocation assistance, funded accommodation for up to eight weeks and $10,000 attraction and retention paid. $2500 at 3 months, $2500 at 6 months, $5000 at 12 months (for Alice Springs only).
About us
The Northern Territory Department of Corrections (DoC) has:
correctional centres
work camps
of the adult offender population is Aboriginal
DoC staff
Northern Territory snapshot
of the population are Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander
is the median age of Territorians
Territorians
of Territorians live rural or remote
- Up to $35,000 relocation allowance for a family and up to $25,000 for an individual (motor vehicles, boats, caravans not included)
- Up to $1,500 per person for one-way flights from New Zealand to Alice Springs for immediate family (dependants under 18years)
- Up to $500 for a family room or $250 per night for a single/double room if overnight transit accommodation is required
- Up to $800 for car hire for up to two weeks (not inclusive of fuel costs)
- Up to two months paid accommodation in Alice Springs on arrival to assist while you find a place to live.
A career in Department of Corrections is rewarding, meaningful and progressive. Experienced correctional officers can increase their knowledge and build their skills by working in different streams.
We’re committed to supporting your career path with training and professional development.
There are various career pathways for experienced correctional officers in the Northern Territory. These include a wide range of opportunities to advance and specialize within the correctional system. These paths are divided into three main streams:
- Custodial Stream: This pathway focuses on leadership and operational roles within the custodial environment, progressing from Correctional Officer First Class to Senior Correctional Officer, Chief Correctional Officer, Deputy Superintendent, and ultimately to General Manager or Superintendent.
- Industries Stream: This stream emphasizes overseeing and managing various vocational programs and services, such as horticulture, food services, laundry, metal fabrication, and carpentry. Officers can progress from Senior Industries Officer to Chief Industries Officer and eventually to Principal Industries Officer.
- Other Specialization Opportunities: Officers can branch into specialized roles, including immediate assistance teams, drug dog detection units, intelligence units, sentence management, prisoner security, and staff learning and development. Opportunities also exist at the Department of Corrections head office in Darwin and regional offices in the Northern Territory.
These streams allow experienced officers to pursue diverse career avenues based on their skills, interests, and long-term goals.
We’re looking to grow our workforce with motivated and committed people who have:
- New Zealand citizenship
- Employment as a correctional officer within the last two years
- A minimum of two years’ experience working as a correctional officer
- Completion of Level 3 Offender Management Certificate
- Current driver’s licence with the ability to drive a manual vehicle
Being an experienced correctional officer with the Department of Corrections comes with benefits you'll find only in the Northern Territory:
- Employment security
- Minimum 6 weeks annual leave
- Study assistance
- Wellness allowance
We’re proud to offer a competitive salary package that comes with an additional $5000 (AUD) lump sum payment for every twelve months of continuous service at Alice Springs Correctional Centre.
* Our Experienced Correctional Officers start on $69,074 - $75,784 plus 40% consolidated allowance with 11.5% superannuation, totalling a remuneration package of $107,825 - $118,299.
You may apply to negotiate the commencement salary to a higher increment during the recruitment process.
The base rate salary is determined by length of service, experience and classifications of prisoners you have worked with.
A two year contract will be offered upon commencement.
Within this two year period you will need to complete the Certificate III in Correctional Practice. Once the Certificate III in Correctional Practice has been completed with a satisfactory job evaluation you will be offered permanent employment. The costs associated with the Certificate III are covered by Department of Corrections.
Get in touch
Kia ora!
Are you interested in learning more about a career with Department of Corrections? We're here to help. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about moving to the Northern Territory.
Email: ntcs.recruitment@nt.gov.au
Phone: +61 8 8928 7400
We will work with you during the recruitment process.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the Northern Territory and bringing you into the team.
progress to abilities and psychometric test
Meet the Department of Corrections
Undertake a medical check
Successful applicants notified about their application
proof of credentials, criminal history check and disclosure of criminal convictions