Prison Officer Salary: How to Check Your Rate Against the Legal Minimum

Understanding the prison officer salary landscape

When you search for a "prison officer salary" in Australia, you will find a range of figures. This guide helps you separate the legal minimum from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries. The key is to know which pay floor applies to you and how your current rate compares.

Legal minimums: the national minimum wage and award rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. This is the absolute floor for award-free employees in the national system.

However, most prison officers are not award-free. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Corrections and Detention (Private Sector) Award 2020, which covers private operators of correctional facilities, custody centres, court custody services, and detention facilities. This award sets minimum rates higher than the national minimum. For example, a Correctional Officer Level 1 must be paid at least $28.32 per hour, while a Correctional Supervisor Level 2 receives $36.51 per hour. Trainee custodial officers start at $26.35 per hour. These rates are from 1 July 2026 and include the 4.75% increase to modern award minimum wages.

Public sector prison officers (e.g., those employed by state corrective services) are typically covered by a state public sector award or an enterprise agreement. Those awards often have different classification structures and rates. If you work in a state system, you should check the relevant state award or your enterprise agreement for your minimum entitlement.

Survey averages: the ABS median prison officer salary

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), through Jobs and Skills Australia, provides median earnings data for occupations. For prison officers, the median full-time weekly earnings before tax is $2,080, and median hourly earnings are $53 (based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). This figure is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It is not a minimum or a guarantee; it reflects the middle point of what prison officers earn. About half earn more and half earn less. This median is well above the award minimums, indicating that many prison officers receive above-award pay, possibly through enterprise agreements or experience-based increments.

How to compare your rate

To check your own prison officer salary against the legal minimum:

1. Identify your coverage. Are you in the private sector under the Corrections and Detention Award? Or are you a public sector employee under a state award or agreement? If you are unsure, ask your employer or check your employment contract.
2. Find the minimum rate for your classification. For private sector, use the award rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman. For public sector, refer to your state award or agreement.
3. Compare your hourly rate (excluding overtime, penalties, and allowances) to the minimum. Remember that superannuation of 12% is paid on top of your ordinary time earnings, not included in the hourly rate.
4. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. However, if you are a junior (under 21), an apprentice, or a trainee, lower rates may apply. For award-free juniors, the percentages range from 36.8% at age under 16 to 97.7% at age 20.

Important notes

• The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces the law, but the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage and modern award rates.
• An enterprise agreement can set higher rates than the award, but never lower.
• The median earnings from the ABS are a guide, not a legal requirement. Your salary may differ based on location, experience, and employer.
• Always check the latest rates, as they change each year on 1 July.

For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies guide or browse our Rate tables for award classifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage for a prison officer?

There is no single minimum wage for all prison officers. If you are covered by the Corrections and Detention (Private Sector) Award 2020, the minimum hourly rate ranges from $26.35 for a trainee to $36.51 for a Correctional Supervisor Level 2 (from 1 July 2026). If you are award-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. Public sector prison officers may be covered by a state award or enterprise agreement with different rates.

How does the median prison officer salary compare to the award minimum?

According to the ABS, the median full-time hourly earnings for prison officers is $53 per hour (May 2025), which is well above the highest award minimum of $36.51 for a Correctional Supervisor Level 2. This median reflects experienced officers and those in senior roles. Your actual salary may be higher or lower depending on your classification, experience, and employer.

Do prison officers get superannuation on top of their salary?

Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee, currently 12% of ordinary time earnings, on top of your base salary. This applies to all employees covered by the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, including prison officers. The super contribution is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional payment into your nominated super fund.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.