Custody Officer

Role overview

Ventia is hiring motivated, resilient people for a Custody Officer position supporting custodial services on behalf of the WA Department of Justice in South Hedland Courthouse, De Grey, Western Australia. This is a secure long-term opportunity for someone who wants meaningful work, reliable conditions, and a career path in the justice sector without giving up work-life balance or pay stability.

In this role, you will help ensure the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of people in custody while contributing to the efficient running of justice operations. You will be part of a supportive team working across courts, prisoner transport, and secure medical escorts, so the work is varied and purposeful.

Training, pay, and conditions

This position includes structured paid training and clearly defined conditions under an Enterprise Agreement. No prior custodial background is required. The role includes a fully funded Certificate III in Correctional Practice and 5 weeks of fully paid training before you start working operationally.

Training pay is $27.35 per hour. After training, the rate becomes $29.50 per hour, increasing to $30.93 per hour after 12 months and completion of the Certificate III. A Western Australian State Government Pay Contribution Allowance (PCA) of $256 per fortnight before tax is also provided.

Guaranteed minimum hours apply under the Enterprise Agreement. Overtime is paid when shifts run beyond 7.6 hours in a day, before 5:00am, or after 7:00pm. Saturday work is paid at 175% of base rate and Sunday work at 200% of base rate.

Allowances and additional benefits

The role includes a regional allowance of $10,189 per year, paid across fortnightly instalments. Meal allowances are available when working more than 9.6 hours or when staying overnight. If applicable, there is an on-call allowance of $25.73 per day and an Officer in Charge (OIC) allowance of $3 per hour when performing additional duties.

Approved regional secondments may include paid travel time and related allowances, and parking reimbursements are available where applicable. Uniforms and footwear are supplied by the employer, and shift workers receive five weeks of annual leave. Paid breaks, time off in lieu (TOIL) options, ongoing refresher training, and continued paid training are also part of the package.

What the job involves

You will supervise and transport people in custody safely, maintain security during court proceedings, carry out welfare checks, and uphold duty of care obligations. The role also requires you to respond calmly and professionally to difficult situations, produce accurate reports and records, and work closely with colleagues in a tight-knit operational team.

The work environment can include court security and custody, prisoner transport and escorts, secure hospital and medical duties, and the possibility of regional secondment.

Career growth

Ventia offers a structured pathway for progression through accredited classifications, with opportunities to move into senior, specialist, or supervisory roles over time.

What you need

You must be available for full-time training from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, and be prepared to commit to 12 months in order to complete the Certificate III. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. The employer is looking for people who are respectful, resilient, and professional, and who can pass medical, fitness, and background checks.

About Ventia

Ventia is a major services provider operating across Australia and New Zealand, with more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors across 400 sites. The company focuses on fairness, inclusion, and respect, and it welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs, ages, abilities, and caring responsibilities. Accessible recruitment support is available on request at any stage of the process.

How to apply

If this secure career path in custodial services appeals to you, you can contact Meg Petsa at [email protected] for more information.

Position reference number: 168063.

Additional information

This role is based in South Hedland Courthouse, De Grey, Western Australia, Australia. It is a full-time onsite position.