Custody Officer

Role Overview

Ventia is hiring motivated and resilient people to join its Custody Officer team at the Broome Courthouse in Western Australia. The position supports custodial services delivered for the WA Department of Justice and offers a stable career path, structured training, and conditions set under an Enterprise Agreement.

This is meaningful work in a professional justice setting, with a strong focus on safety, dignity, wellbeing, and reliable operational support. The work spans courts, prisoner movement, and secure medical escorts, so the day-to-day responsibilities remain varied and purposeful.

What the Job Involves

In this role, you will help supervise and transport people in custody, maintain security during court proceedings, perform welfare checks, and respond calmly to challenging situations. You will also prepare accurate records and work closely with a small operational team to keep justice services running smoothly.

Training, Pay, and Career Support

The role includes fully funded training toward a Certificate III in Correctional Practice, along with five weeks of paid pre-operational training. No previous custodial background is required.

Pay and conditions are structured as follows: $27.35 per hour during the five-week training period, $29.50 per hour after training, and $30.93 per hour after 12 months and completion of the Certificate III. In addition, a Western Australian State Government Pay Contribution Allowance of $256 per fortnight before tax is provided.

Employees receive guaranteed minimum hours under the Enterprise Agreement and may be eligible for premium overtime rates when working more than 7.6 hours in a day, before 5:00am or after 7:00pm, at 175% of base rate on Saturdays, and at 200% of base rate on Sundays.

Allowances and Additional Benefits

The position includes several extra payments and support measures, such as a regional allowance of $10,189 per year paid across fortnightly instalments, meal allowances for shifts longer than 9.6 hours or overnight stays, an on-call allowance of $25.73 per day where applicable, and an Officer In Charge allowance of $3 per hour when performing added duties. Approved regional secondments may also attract paid travel time and related allowances, and parking reimbursement may be available where relevant.

Uniforms and footwear are supplied, breaks are paid, TOIL options are available, shift workers receive five weeks of annual leave, and ongoing training and refresher learning are part of the package.

Career Path

This role is designed to support long-term growth, with structured progression through accredited classifications and opportunities to move into senior, specialist, or supervisory positions over time.

About Ventia

Ventia is a major services organisation operating across Australia and New Zealand, with more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors across 400 sites. The company focuses on maintaining, operating, and managing essential infrastructure while promoting fairness, inclusion, and respect in the workplace.

Applications are welcomed from people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs, and caring responsibilities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Accessible recruitment support is available, and candidates may request adjustments at any point in the process.

Application and Contact Details

Interested candidates can submit an application for this position or contact Meg Petsa at meg.petsa@ventia.com for further information. Position reference number: 167746.

Working Conditions and Requirements

The training schedule runs full-time from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Applicants must be willing to commit for 12 months to complete the Certificate III and must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. A respectful, resilient, and professional manner is essential, and candidates must be able to pass pre-employment medical, fitness, and background checks.

Who This Role Suits

This position suits people seeking secure employment, strong conditions, and work that contributes directly to the justice system. It is also appropriate for candidates who are ready for structured training and a long-term career in custodial services.