Probation Officer

A Probation Officer supervises individuals who have been placed on probation instead of serving time in prison. You might work within the court system, correctional facilities, or in community-based programs. Probation Officers ensure compliance with court-ordered conditions, provide guidance on rehabilitation, and assist in the reintegration process. You’ll prepare reports, monitor progress, and intervene when necessary to prevent re-offending.

Probation Officers play a crucial role in supporting offenders’ rehabilitation and protecting the community. You’ll need to be empathetic, firm, and have strong communication skills to engage effectively with probationers, their families, and other stakeholders. You’ll also need to maintain detailed records and work closely with law enforcement and social services.

Future demand Medium
Average yearly income $73,424
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a probation officer?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended

Bachelor of Criminal Justice
Blended, On Campus, Online
3 years
$0 - $48,960
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Crime Analyst Probation Officer Correctional Officer
Correctional Supervisor Legal Advocate
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Crime Analyst Probation Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Supervisor Legal Advocate + 2 more
CHC43315

Certificate IV in Mental Health
Blended, On Campus, Online
6 - 18 months
$0 - $5,997
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Mental Health Worker Family Support Worker Peer Support Worker
Support Worker Outreach Worker Crisis Support Worker Mental Health Practitioner Mental Health Clinician Mental Health Counsellor Mental Health Support Worker Relationship Counsellor Student Counsellor Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Community Services Officer Mental Health Advocate Community Psychologist Healthcare Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Home Care Nurse Pastoral Care Worker
+ 20 more
CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services
Blended, On Campus, Online
8 - 18 months
$49 - $9,900
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker
Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator
+ 59 more
CHC42021

Certificate IV in Community Services
Blended, On Campus, Online
6 - 12 months
$30 - $4,995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Youth Worker Housing Officer Family Support Worker
Case Manager Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Community Support Worker Community Care Worker Intake Worker Mental Health Support Worker Peer Support Worker Residential Care Officer Residential Care Worker Support Worker Volunteer Coordinator Youth Case Worker Rehabilitation Counsellor Animal Shelter Attendant Life Coach Case Worker Migrant Support Worker Community Outreach Coordinator Behaviour Support Specialist Community Worker Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Youth Officer Probation Officer Social Welfare Officer
+ 33 more
CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services (Case Management)
Blended, On Campus, Online
16 - 24 months
$960 - $6,450
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Case Manager Aboriginal Community Care Worker Youth Case Worker
Rehabilitation Counsellor Case Worker Correctional Case Manager Migrant Support Worker Caseworker Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager
+ 11 more
CHC43215

Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
On Campus, Online
12 - 14 months
$1,209 - $4,995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Substance Abuse Counsellor Welfare Worker Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
Rehabilitation Counsellor Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Alcohol and Drug Tester (AOD) Mental Health Advocate Law Enforcement Officer Probation Officer
+ 6 more
CHC53315

Diploma of Mental Health
Online
12 months
$7,995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Mental Health Worker Family Support Worker Peer Support Worker
Support Worker Outreach Worker Crisis Support Worker Mental Health Practitioner Intake Worker Mental Health Support Worker Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Advanced Personal Trainer Community Worker Community Services Officer Human Rights Advocate Mental Health Advocate Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager
+ 18 more
CHC53215

Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Online
12 months
$7,995
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Substance Abuse Counsellor Welfare Worker Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
Rehabilitation Counsellor Human Rights Advocate Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Probation Officer
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Substance Abuse Counsellor Welfare Worker Drug and Alcohol Counsellor Rehabilitation Counsellor Human Rights Advocate Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Probation Officer + 5 more

Bachelor of Criminology
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $91,200
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Parole Officer Probation Officer Law Enforcement Officer
Correctional Officer Correctional Supervisor Correctional Case Manager Criminal Defence Lawyer Legal Advocate
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Parole Officer Probation Officer Law Enforcement Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Supervisor Correctional Case Manager Criminal Defence Lawyer Legal Advocate + 5 more

Graduate Diploma in Criminology
On Campus
6 - 12 months
$0 - $25,080
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Criminologist Crime Analyst Probation Officer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Criminologist Crime Analyst Probation Officer
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Community Corrections Officer

Community Corrections Officers aid offenders in rehabilitation and resource education while reporting to authorities to assess parole eligibility.

Avg yearly income $78,988
Skill level Advanced

Prison Officer

A Prison Officer supervises inmates, monitors behaviour, conducts patrols, and ensures security while demonstrating leadership and teamwork skills.

Avg yearly income $79,040
Skill level Advanced

Correctional Officer

Correctional Officers oversee prison operations, supervise inmates, and handle security, requiring fitness, leadership skills, and teamwork.

Avg yearly income $78,000
Skill level Beginner

Correctional Supervisor

Correctional Supervisors lead officers, ensuring safety and security while managing training and incidents, requiring strong leadership and communication skills.

Avg yearly income $93,600
Skill level Advanced

Correctional Case Manager

Correctional Case Managers support inmates by arranging rehabilitation and addressing needs, requiring flexibility, strong leadership, and communication skills.

Avg yearly income $88,400
Skill level Advanced

Correctional Emergency Response Officer

A Correctional Emergency Response Officer handles emergencies in correctional facilities, manages unsafe behaviour, conducts risk assessments, and evaluates incidents.

Avg yearly income $90,480
Skill level Advanced

Criminologist

A Criminologist analyses criminal patterns to devise strategies for crime reduction, focusing on specific activities, groups, or areas.

Avg yearly income $94,900
Skill level Advanced

Parole Officer

A Parole Officer supervises offenders on parole, assessing compliance and progress while providing support for reintegration and liaising with authorities.

Avg yearly income $92,560
Skill level Advanced

Further reading

Choosing a security licence course in Australia: A step-by-step guide for jobseekers

10th November 2023)

What do social workers do?

11th December 2019)

How to start a career in counselling

7th September 2020)

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