Queensland Corrective Services
Write a review
    Queensland Corrective Services
    (46 reviews)
    Write a review
    Write a review

    Company Reviews

    Working at Queensland Corrective Services

    2.346 ratings in total
    5
    6
    4
    7
    3
    4
    2
    7
    1
    22
    76%
    Rate salary as high or average
    33%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    2.7(45 ratings)
    Career development
    2.2(45 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    2.4(44 ratings)
    Management
    1.8(45 ratings)
    Working environment
    2.0(45 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    2.6(45 ratings)
    Ratings for Queensland Corrective Services are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 46 reviews sorted by most recent
    Sort by
    most recent
    4.0
    Custodial Correctional Officer
    Apr 2026
    Wacol QLD 40762 to 3 years in the role, current employee
    Your attitude is your outcome.
    The good thingsThe job is what you make of it - either you go in with a positive attitude, willing to learn from the ones with knowledge, and leave your arrogance at the door. Or you join thinking it makes you better than others, and you'll crumble quickly. If you're a kind person that can set boundaries with both offenders and staff, you should be just fine.
    The challengesStaff are the tougher challenge of the job. Opinions clash, ways to manage offenders will clash, working styles clash, and it can make for a toxic work environment. If you're good at your job and you can adapt to work with others without being a doormat, you can get through these bumps.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    CCO
    Mar 2026
    Wacol QLD 40764 to 5 years in the role, current employee
    "toxic culture" characterized by a lack of support, and favoritism soul-reaping" and backstabbing.
    The good thingsNo good things will suck your soul
    The challengesManagement, supervisors and officers horrible culture to the extreme, and super toxic
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Accommodation services officer
    Mar 2026
    Wacol QLD 40762 to 3 years in the role, former employee
    Wish I could delete this part of my life, wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy.
    The good thingsThe other team members are great. The fact I moved interstate to get away from it.
    The challengesManagement have no idea what's going on, 1 day you can do a task the day after it's not allowed. Zero policy and procedure to follow and I mean literally zero. You have to guess most of your work
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Rostering Officer
    Mar 2026
    Spring Creek QLD 43431 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    A soul-crushing experience that left me demoralised and deeply depressed.
    The good thingsKnowing the day would eventually end.
    The challengesThe organisation is frequently understaffed, resulting in excessive workloads and burnout that are not effectively addressed. Raising concerns with senior management often leads to intimidation, micromanagement, and a lack of support. Hostile and exclusionary behaviour is widespread, with custodial officers often allowed to act with bias and poor conduct, while administrative staff are treated as inferior. Training is inadequate, and managers sometimes prioritise self-preservation over their teams, undermining staff by speaking about them behind their backs or shifting blame. Staff are also regularly required to work extra hours without compensation, and a pervasive culture of narrow-mindedness and favouritism further erodes collaboration and inclusivity.
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Custodial Correctional Officer
    Feb 2026
    Townsville QLD 481011 to 12 years in the role, former employee
    Tough gig, you have been warned, consider only if all other options have failed.
    The good thingsChallenging myself in a high stress environment and learning new practical tactical skills. Shift work means 12 hr days but lots of time off with manipulation of roster and 5 weeks leave, don't try to take any leave over Christmas or school holidays.
    The challengesWhere do I start.....please talk to someone who knows the place first hand before joining.Be prepaired to wait at least 6 mths before your application gets processed fully and then a 10 wk course with great trainers but pay will be without shift allowance. Once graduated straight on the ground potentially running a Secure unit on your first shift or night shift without any guidance, recruit staff are lying to you if they say this will not happen.1st yr will your toughest with many Officers treating you poorly as they will not be bothered, you take up overtime spots and the turnover rate is super high(some officers are lovely though they are very outnumbered)Management/Supervisors will favour certain officers. Most prisons are over capacity and many prisoners will treat you like dirt till you break(some are surprisingly nice though, they progress quick though) CCOs will not carry much in the way of protection, depending on area/normally work only in pairs except for unlock/lockaway
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Custodial Correctional Officer
    Feb 2026
    Townsville QLD 481013 to 14 years in the role, former employee
    Please consider this job carefully-acute resilience and high level stress management is essential.
    The good thingsShift work lifestyle and ability to adjust monthly income with overtime. Learning hands on Tactical applications and engaging with multiple support services/agencies.
    The challengesToxic culture, nepotism and victim mentality governed the environment with new officers thrown in the deep end after only 10 weeks of training.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    CCO
    Jan 2026
    Mareeba QLD 48801 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Don't do it unless your despreate for a job.
    The good thingsThe roster gives you good amount of days off the less days in that place the better.
    The challenges The workplace culture is deeply unhealthy and damaging. A number of staff display inflated egos and misuse their positions of authority. Management practices are heavily influenced by favouritism; employees who do not align themselves with certain individuals are often undermined, treated unfairly, and blamed for issues beyond their control. Those contributing most to the toxic environment are rarely addressed. There is little to no support for new staff members. Basic professionalism is lacking, with supervisors often unapproachable and dismissive, making it difficult to integrate or seek guidance. The most challenging aspect of the role is the behaviour of colleagues. The environment is characterised by backstabbing, gossip, excessive reporting, and a strong “boys’ club” culture. Employees who choose not to engage in this behaviour or mistreat others are isolated and subjected to poor treatment themselves.
    6 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Correctional Officer
    Dec 2025
    Wacol QLD 4076Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    My experience was poor, has the potential to be a great work place but has horrible culture.
    The good thingsThe Academy was great, instructors and trainers were very helpful and new there content.
    The challengesCulture and and overall management. Senior staff are complacent which leads to risks when working with prisoners. Staff do not treat new people well at all and do help train up new staff.
    4 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Psychologist
    Dec 2025
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Corrections offers experience, but you will be traumatised, and there is no accountability above
    The good thingsThe prisoners are generally very receptive to help and due to their general neglect as a population, and small interventions can be very impactful.
    The challengesNeglectful leadership in the higher up in the agency, minimal opportunities to develop your therapeutic capacity, no flexible work arrangement (despite advertising so), no supervision beyond core business, and a generally high risk of vicarious trauma and psychological injury.
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Custodial Correctional Officer
    Nov 2025
    Woodford QLD 45143 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Would not recommend to anyone
    The good thingsThe only positive is the block days off.
    The challengesHR don't look after staff, there is too much nepotism within the centre. People are promoted based off of who the know, not what they know. The culture is horrible.
    5 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Senior Developer
    Sep 2025
    Brisbane QLD 40005 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    I have been working for over 30 years and in the past 12 months this has been by far the worst place I have ever worked.
    The good thingsSome work colleagues.
    The challengesNo challenges, the work is very easy. The latest project I have been assigned is going to fail due to a fundamental archictual flaw, because mangement no longer listen to anyone with intelligence in the department. On the hand when upper management are not threating to fire you, you have all the red tape to enjoy.
    4 people found this helpful
    2.0
    do not wish to note
    Sep 2025
    Wacol QLD 40761 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Stagnation: there is no opportunity to develop your skillset beyond legislative approved areas and promotion/professional development is discouraged actively. The people working here have great and compassionate hearts which makes the overall toxic environment that much harder to bear. Micromanagement is not only evident within this branch but endorsed, both through formal practices and informal acceptance of poor behaviors of management.
    The good thingsdiverse working environment. You get exposure to a range of administrative and risk minimization applications. Individually, a great group of people to work with. If you have a support role background this role will suit you well. Great role if you are looking for a job to retire at.
    The challengesvery administrative heavy. If you have any clinical skills or hope to develop them this is not the role for you. There is no outlet for professional development and you will find yourself doing mostly administrative tasks regardless of your formal designation. Very small client pool and there is 5 administrative staff members for every clinician. Huge burnout in this branch which could be due to (ironically) a lack of structure in the role and vague chain of command. Management is very risk adverse - which for the most part translates to piling junior members with all the risk with little or no training in either how to preform duties assigned or outlets for mentorship. Poor behavior and siloed practices are often promoted under the guise of 'legislation' adherence. Work culture reminds me of a high school, equipped with its own clicks and social barriers, this is exasperated by the catchphrase "if you have a problem here is the number for EAP".
    2 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Senior Case Manager
    Sep 2025
    All Brisbane QLD3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Disappointing, unsupportive and exhausting
    The good thingsSupports community safety.
    The challengesManagement are motivated by self interest and surround themselves with mates who support them putting little value on anyone else despite the hard work they do.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Senior Case Manager, Community Corrections
    Aug 2025
    Rockhampton QLD 47004 to 5 years in the role, former employee
    This could be good job if management supported staff in their work and not trying to blame staff for poor managment decisions.
    The good thingsIf you manage to get a permanent Senior Case Manager position, the pay is adequate.
    The challengesToxic workplace culture which is based on toxic positivity, management that practices gaslighting and blind siding staff, not listening to staff when concerns about management are expressed, vague and confusing policies called "guidelines", very difficult to get a permanent position depending on location.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Administration Officer Level 2
    Jun 2025
    Cairns & Far North QLDLess than 1 year in the role, former employee
    An Amazing ExperienceI had the pleasure of previously working for QCS in both Administration, Mail Desk & Sentence Planning and it was an amazing experience. I felt like part of a family, great colleagues, great work environment and great employer
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Senior Case Manager
    Oct 2024
    Cairns QLD 48701 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Honestly have loved every week working for QCS, challenging but rewarding
    The good thingsGreat colleagues, interesting and challenging work, you get to make a difference, autonomy to mange your own day and make decisions, good work life balance, decent pay and benefits, opportunities in different areas and secondments
    The challengesNot a job for everyone given the nature of the work it can be full on - and definitely don't expect any gratitude from your clientele lol... you can expect to work hard for your money, if you want a cushy govy job this isn't the place for you! but if you have the passion, strong work ethic, some life experience and want to make a difference its great. I wouldn't really recommended for fresh graduates.
    10 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Staff
    Aug 2024
    Cairns QLD 4870former employee
    Soul destroying leads to burnout
    The good thingsStaff wishing to help community
    The challengesManagement, culture, competitive, ,negative behaviours, staff always crying including supervisors melt downs, mundane work, no opportunity, nepotism, ethics
    17 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Correctional Officer
    Sep 2023
    Wacol QLD 4076
    The Dept ruined my life & broke me... Then they left me to rot
    The good thingsYou have the opportunity to earn a great living, but at the detriment of your personal life & soul
    The challengesSurprisingly it's the staff & upper management in the department that will throw you under the bus the first chance they get .
    40 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Prison Officer
    Jul 2023
    Woodford QLD 4514
    Its a mundane job, not a career
    The good thingsNot much at all, what can I say apart from banking leave and rearranging your roster to get weeks off at a time.
    The challengesThe staff not the prisoners
    27 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Business Support Officer
    Feb 2021
    17+ Years - What an Adventure!
    The good thingsQCS provides me with opportunities to expand my knowledge and share my thoughts and ideas; great working conditions; working with a great team of people who nurture and support my growth.
    The challengesSometimes there are a lot of hoops. Patience is a virtue.
    7 people found this helpful
    1.0
    CCO
    Mar 2020
    Unless you’re desperate for work, don’t bother.
    The good thingsDo workers are generally pretty good
    The challengesLow pay for what you are required to do
    18 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Correctional Officer
    Mar 2020
    Wish decision I have done by working was.
    The good thingsThe days off. It means you arent there at all.
    The challengesManagement is the challenge.
    18 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Correctional Officer
    Mar 2020
    11 to 12 years in the role, current employee
    If you can do something else do it.
    The good things12 hour shifts, only working 3 or 4 days a week.
    The challengesManagement's so disconected with the job on the floor. Too many egos across the workforce.
    24 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Senior Case Manager
    Mar 2020
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    I’ll continue to work here, but it could be improved with more internal oversight and scrutiny of management.
    The good thingsInteracting with a diverse client base. Challenging but rewarding.
    The challengesInternal politics and lack of Career Progression.
    10 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Liaison Officer
    Mar 2020
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    No support from work colleagues and management
    The good thingsSome staff were supportive
    The challengesNo support from Management
    12 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Cco
    Mar 2020
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    You can say Top Tier all you like, it’s a putrid agency.
    The good thingsNothing, handing in your notice
    The challengesManagement, very poor conditions, horrible pay, zero support from the agency, make sure you have you own lawyer if you have a bad day.
    21 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Probation and Parole Officer
    Jan 2020
    horrible place to work
    The good thingsPay salary was decent, some of the employees were helpful
    The challengesI felt that we were very overworked and expected to do a lot more than what we were capable of doing in a typical work day. There was no proper training put in place and you were meant to just sink or swim. Management and a lot of the people who worked there were unhelpful and cruel.
    15 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Correctional Officer
    Jan 2020
    Challenging job not for everyone
    The good thingsworking with a different type of people
    The challengesknowing how management are going to be from week to week
    3 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Intelligence Adviser
    Nov 2019
    Challenging but Satisfying, working with friends and making a difference
    The good thingsProfessional, forward thinking, ethical, accountable, protecting the public
    The challengesLow pay compared to other states public service
    4 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Senior Case Manager
    Nov 2019
    7 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    I thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Queensland Corrective Services.
    The good thingsWorking in remote communities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, developing strong relationships with key stakeholders.
    The challengesSome travel away from family.
    2 people found this helpful
    Company Reviews published on our site are the views and opinions of their authors and do not represent the views and opinions of SEEK or its personnel. SEEK does not verify the truth or accuracy of any reviews and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted. SEEK posts reviews for what they are worth and for informational purposes only to assist candidates to find employment.
    Reviews by location
    All Brisbane QLDCairns & Far North QLDNorthern QLDRockhampton & Capricorn Coast QLDSomerset & Lockyer QLD