This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of individuals employed in the supervision and monitoring of offenders and detainees. It allows for the attainment of general competencies or specialisations in Adult or Youth Custodial and Adult or Youth Community streams.
The general qualification covers the competencies required by individuals whose work roles are not defined in the specialist groups. The general qualification reflects the role of individuals who undertake a range of support tasks including:
- administrative
- case work
- translation
- health, safety and clinical
- operational, maintenance and technical
- training and education.
The custodial specialisation covers the competencies required by individuals usually enrolled in an entry-level training program and required to demonstrate their capacity to assume custodial officer responsibilities. At the completion of this qualification, officers will be expected to assume full custodial duties. There are separate specialisation groups with distinct requirements for adult and youth custodial specialisations. These specialisations reflect the role of individuals who undertake a range of custodial tasks including:
- supervising offenders in detention
- monitoring and maintaining the security of physical assets
- monitoring behaviour and ensuring safety of offenders
- delivering services and programs to offenders.
The community specialisations cover the competencies required by individuals who supervise offenders directly or indirectly in the community and within specified parameters of responsibility defined by work activities or by the complexity of assessment of offenders’ needs and risks. There are separate specialisation groups with distinct requirements for adult and youth community specialisations. These specialisations reflect the role of individuals who undertake a range of supervision tasks including:
- working with people subject to a justice intervention, offenders, their families and the community
- supervising and monitoring offenders on community orders
- casework, liaison and local engagement activities.
Statutory/legislative requirements apply to this qualification and may vary across states and territories. Users are required to check with the relevant jurisdiction for current requirements.
Additional qualification advice
Where a defined specialisation is completed as detailed below, the resultant testamur can be titled: Certificate III in Correctional Practice (field of study) e.g. Certificate III in Correctional Practice (Adult Custodial).
-
Financial help
-
Government funding is not available for this course.
-
-
Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
-
VET Student Loans are not available
-
You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
-
-
On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
-
Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
-
Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Qualification only:
-
Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Communicate effectively | Core |
| Contribute to achieving the goals of the organisation | Core |
| Maintain security | Core |
| Prepare and write reports | Core |
| Use safe work practices | Core |
| Apply fatigue management strategies | Elective |
| Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing | Elective |
| Conduct interviews | Elective |
| Conduct searches | Elective |
| Contain incidents that jeopardise safety and security | Elective |
| Control incidents using defensive tactics | Elective |
| Demonstrate first attack firefighting equipment | Elective |
| Engage respectfully with young people | Elective |
| Establish and maintain relationships with community agencies and offenders | Elective |
| Maintain operational security | Elective |
| Maintain security during escort | Elective |
| Maintain the health, safety and welfare of offenders | Elective |
| Maintain the safety and welfare of offenders in short-term incarceration | Elective |
| Manage conflict through negotiation | Elective |
| Manage first aid services and resources | Elective |
| Operate breathing apparatus | Elective |
| Operate central monitoring station | Elective |
| Operate commercial vehicle | Elective |
| Participate in sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Plan and conduct group activities | Elective |
| Prepare offender reports for justice agencies | Elective |
| Process offender induction | Elective |
| Promote cooperative behaviour | Elective |
| Protect the safety and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders | Elective |
| Protect the safety and welfare of vulnerable offenders | Elective |
| Protect the safety and welfare of young people who have offended | Elective |
| Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy | Elective |
| Provide basic emergency life support | Elective |
| Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site | Elective |
| Provide responsible care to offenders with a mental health condition | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Respond to needs of youth justice clients | Elective |
| Respond to offenders influenced by drugs or alcohol | Elective |
| Store, protect and dispose of security information | Elective |
| Supervise attendance at court | Elective |
| Supervise female offenders | Elective |
| Supervise offenders | Elective |
| Supervise offenders outside of a correctional facility | Elective |
| Support a response to medical emergencies | Elective |
| Support offender rehabilitation and reintegration in the community | Elective |
| Support offender to maintain positive relationships | Elective |
| Work effectively in the organisation | Elective |
| Work effectively in trauma informed care | Elective |
| Work effectively with culturally diverse offenders and colleagues | Elective |
| Work effectively with diversity and inclusion | Elective |
| Work effectively with young people and their families | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Correctional Practice sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
-
Parole and Probation Officer
ANZSCO 411714
Parole or Probation Officers supervise offenders who have been placed on probation by court order or released conditionally from corrective service institutions.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Youth Worker
ANZSCO 411716
Support young people in the social, emotional, financial, study and employment aspects of their lives.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Prison Officer
ANZSCO 442111
Enforce rules and order inside prisons; supervise inmates to keep them safe and ensure security of the facility.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Personal Assistant
ANZSCO 521111
Personal Assistants perform liaison, coordination and organisational tasks in support of Managers and Professionals.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Payroll Clerk
ANZSCO 551311
Arrange the payment of salaries and wages to employees of an organisation.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Filing and Registry Clerk
ANZSCO 561311
Filing and Registry Clerks process and handle information and documents to maintain access to and security of database and record management systems.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Correctional Practice
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
-
Asset Training Australia (RTO code 31718)
Contact this provider
-
Corrective Services NSW (RTO code 90075)
-
Department of Justice and Community Safety - ACT Corrective Services (RTO code 6045)
Contact this provider
-
Linked 2 Pty Ltd (RTO code 21789)
Contact this provider
-
Queensland Corrective Services (RTO code 5292)
Contact this provider
-
THE GEO GROUP AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED (RTO code 3570)
Contact this provider
-
TRAINING & SAFETY SOLUTIONS (RTO code 31741)
Contact this provider
-
Ventia Training Pty Ltd (RTO code 31843)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.