Correctional officer salary: award minimum rates and what they mean for your pay

What is the correctional officer salary under Australian law?

When people search for "correctional officer salary", they often want to know the minimum they can be paid. In Australia, the answer depends on which award or agreement covers the job. For private-sector correctional officers, the Corrections and Detention (Private Sector) Award 2020 sets the legal minimum. This award covers employees in privately operated correctional facilities, custody centres, court custody services, detention facilities, and prisoner escort services.

The award minimum rates are updated each year by the Fair Work Commission. From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, a Correctional Officer Level 1 must be paid at least $28.32 per hour or $1,076.20 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. This is the legal floor – you cannot be paid less than this unless you are a trainee, junior, or covered by a different classification.

Separating the legal minimum from other figures

It is important to distinguish between:

• The award minimum – the lowest rate set by the Corrections and Detention Award.
• The national minimum wage – $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, which applies to award-free employees. The award rate is higher, so the national minimum does not directly apply to most correctional officers.
• A survey average – the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all industries were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. Correctional officers may earn more or less than this average depending on experience, location, and overtime.
• A negotiated salary – enterprise agreements can set rates above the award. For example, some private prison operators have agreements that pay above the minimum.

Superannuation is on top

Employers must pay 12% superannuation guarantee on ordinary time earnings. This is not deducted from your salary; it is an additional payment into your super fund. For a Correctional Officer Level 1 on the award minimum, the employer contributes about $129 per week to super.

Penalty rates and casual loading

The award includes penalty rates for work outside normal hours. For a full-time Correctional Officer Level 1:

• Saturday (6am–6pm): $42.48/h
• Sunday: $56.64/h
• Public holiday: $70.80/h
• Night work (6pm–6am Monday to Friday): $32.57/h

Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate, making the casual rate $35.40/h for Level 1. Casual penalty rates are even higher.

When can you be paid less?

Some employees may be paid less than the award rate:

• Trainee custodial officers – minimum $26.35/h (or $32.94/h casual).
• Juniors – if award-free, junior rates apply (e.g., under 16: $9.73/h). But the Corrections and Detention Award does not have junior rates; it only has adult classifications.
• Supported wage employees – for workers with disability, a pro-rata rate may apply.

How to check your correct rate

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a Pay and Conditions Tool to calculate your minimum entitlements. You can also check the award itself for your specific classification. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set a higher rate – the award is only a safety net.

For more information on how minimum wages work in Australia, see our guides:

• Which minimum wage applies
• How the figures work

The role of enterprise agreements

Many private correctional facilities have enterprise agreements negotiated between the employer and employees (often with union involvement). These agreements can provide higher base rates, better penalty rates, or additional allowances. If an agreement applies, the award does not apply for most purposes, but the agreement must still pass the Better Off Overall Test compared to the award.

Public sector correctional officers

This guide focuses on the private sector award. Public-sector correctional officers (e.g., those employed by state governments) are covered by separate state awards or enterprise agreements. Their pay rates are often different and may be higher. For example, Corrective Services NSW has its own award with different classifications and rates.

Summary

For a private-sector correctional officer, the minimum salary from 1 July 2026 is $28.32 per hour ($1,076.20 per week) plus 12% super. Penalty rates can significantly increase take-home pay. Always check your specific classification and whether an enterprise agreement applies. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is a backstop but does not apply directly because the award rate is higher.

If you need to compare rates or understand your entitlements, visit our Rate tables or Topics pages.