Custody Officer

Make a real impact. Build a secure career in Justice.
Are you looking for meaningful work, strong conditions, and a long term career pathway - without sacrificing pay certainty or work life balance?
Ventia is proud to deliver custodial services on behalf of the WA Department of Justice. We’re currently seeking motivated and resilient individuals to join our Custody Officer team at the Karratha Courthouse.
This role offers structured training, guaranteed conditions under an Enterprise Agreement, and the opportunity to work in a variety of professional justice environments.
About the role
As a Custody Officer, you play a critical role in maintaining the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of people in custody while supporting the smooth operation of the justice system.
You’ll work as part of a highly supportive team across courts, prisoner transport, and secure medical escorts - no two days are the same, and every shift has purpose.
Why join Ventia?
Paid training & clear career entry

• Fully funded Certificate III in Correctional Practice
• 5 weeks of fully paid training before going operational
• No prior custodial experience required

Hourly rate with structured increases

• $27.35 per hour during 5-week training
• $29.50 per hour post training
• $30.93 per hour after 12-months and completion of Cert III

Additional government endorsed pay

• Western Australian State Government Pay Contribution Allowance (PCA): $256 per fortnight (before tax)

Guaranteed hours & premium penalty rates

• Guaranteed minimum hours under the Enterprise Agreement
• Overtime rates apply when working:
• Over 7.6 hours in a day
• Before 5:00am or after 7:00pm
• 175% of base rate on Saturdays
• 200% of base rate on Sundays

Allowances that add real value

• $10,189 per year regional allowance (spread over fortnightly payments)
• Meal allowances when working over 9.6 hours or staying overnight
• On Call Allowance: $25.73 per day when on call (where applicable)
• Officer In Charge (OIC) Allowance: $3 per hour when undertaking additional duties
• Paid travel time and allowances for approved regional secondments
• Parking reimbursements where applicable

Work variety & professional experience

• Court security and custody
• Prisoner transport and escorts
• Secure hospital and medical duties
• Opportunities for regional secondment

Leave and other conditions

• Uniforms and footwear provided
• Paid breaks and TOIL options
• Five weeks annual leave for shift workers
• Ongoing paid training and refresher courses

Long term career pathways

• Structured progression through accredited classifications
• Opportunities to step into senior, specialist, or supervisory roles

What you’ll be doing

• Safely supervising and transporting people in custody
• Maintaining security during court proceedings
• Conducting welfare checks and upholding duty of care
• Managing challenging situations calmly and professionally
• Completing accurate reports and records
• Working collaboratively within a close knit operational team

What we’re looking for

• Availability to complete full-time training (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm)
• Willingness to commit to 12 months to complete the Certificate III
• Australian citizenship or permanent residency
• A respectful, resilient, and professional approach
• Ability to pass pre employment medical, fitness, and background checks

Launch your career in Custodial Services
If you’re looking for secure employment, guaranteed conditions, and work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.

About Ventia
As a leading services provider, we maintain, operate, and manage the essential infrastructure that makes modern life possible across Australia and New Zealand. With more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors across 400 sites, joining Ventia means becoming part of a team that values its people, supports career growth, and helps everyone go further towards their full potential.

Our commitment to Fairness, Inclusion and Respect shapes how we lead, collaborate, hire and support one another. We welcome applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs and caring responsibilities. We are dedicated to providing an accessible recruitment process and encourage you to request adjustments at any stage.   

How to apply  
Click the Apply Now button to start the journey to find your further with Ventia.  

Position Reference Number: 168346