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 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).