Official Visitors

Description:

Department for Correctional Services
Job reference: 667944
Location: - VARIOUS -
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Official Visitors Scheme

On 19 January 2022, the commencement of section 9 of the Correctional Services (Accountability and Other Measures) Amendment Act 2021 (the Amendment Act) amended the Correctional Services Act 1982 (the CS Act) providing for a new Official Visitors Scheme (OVS). The OVS is designed to meet the requirements of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) by preventing the mistreatment of people in detention and improving conditions. As set out in the Amendment Act, Official Visitors are independent and are appointed by the Governor.

The functions of Official Visitors include receiving complaints by prisoners, advocating for prisoners, conducting prison inspections, and providing advice and recommendations on prison management, quality, care, and treatment of prisoners to the Minister for Correctional Services or the Chief Executive of DCS. Prisoners may request to contact an Official Visitor and may be interviewed in private.

Official Visitors are authorised by the CS Act to free and unfettered access to South Australian correctional institutions (inclusive of cells and vehicles and relevant information). Where exercising functions and powers, an Official Visitor must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that those functions and powers are exercised in a manner that is not likely to adversely affect the good order and security of a site.

Duties

• Visit and inspect metropolitan and regional prisons for the purpose of conducting regular inspections of DCS prison sites;
• Receive and investigate complaints of prisoners;
• Act as an advocate for prisoners to promote the proper resolution of issues relating to the care, treatment or control of the prisoners and to promote the best interests of prisoners;
• Inquire into, investigate and provide advice to the Minister or the CE on any matter relating to the management of prisons, or the care, treatment or control of the prisoners;
• Make recommendations to the Minister or the CE on any matter for the purposes of improving the quality of care, treatment or control of prisoners in the correctional institution;
• Consider the needs and circumstances of prisoners who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or have a physical, psychological or intellectual disability while carrying out these functions;
• Provide annual written reports to the Minister on the outcomes of the prison inspections conducted, including any findings in relation to any complaint investigated;
• Provide other written reports to the Minister on any matters arising out of prison inspections or other Official Visitor functions as required;
• Work as part of a team of Official Visitors and attend team meetings as required; and
• Attend conferences and training in relation to performing the role, as required.

Special Conditions

• Must be prepared to undertake a National Criminal History Record Check.
• Must be prepared to travel to and visit metropolitan and regional prisons regularly, as required.
• Some intrastate travel may be required, which may necessitate overnight absences.
• Must be prepared to be available at short notice to conduct a prison inspection.
• Current driver’s licence is essential and must be willing to drive a Government vehicle.
• Must be prepared to undertake mandatory training as required.

Requirements

To ensure the independence of the position, employees of the Department for Correctional Services and members of a Visiting Tribunal are not eligible for appointment.
Official Visitor (Legal): Applicants for this position must be admitted (or eligible for immediate admission) as a solicitor, barrister, or legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia.
Official Visitor (Aboriginal): The Department for Correctional Services (DCS) considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 56(2) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). Therefore, this position is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants.

Remuneration

Remuneration is determined by the South Australian Remuneration Tribunal and can be located at https://www.remtribunal.sa.gov.au .

Enquiries

Mrs Michelle Philp
A/Director, Integrity and Information Services
Office for Correctional Services Review
8429 3854
michelle.philp2@sa.gov.au

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted online via I Work for SA.
Applicants are required to attach a current CV and additional information (covering letter) addressing the specific criteria outlined in Role and Function document attached.
Applicants are required to complete the Pre-Employment Declaration.

Additional Information

This is a temporary part time vacancy for up to 3 years.
There is more than one position available.

DCS is an equal opportunities employer, and our workplace reflects the diverse communities that we serve. Safety at Work is central to our mission — emphasising respectful relationships, psychological wellbeing, and the physical and cultural safety of all employees.

We strongly encourage applications from women, Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQA+, neurodivergent people, people living with disability, people of all ages, and other diversity groups. We support flexible ways of working including part-time working arrangements, wherever reasonably possible, and strive to ensure a fair, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment process. We encourage you to share any support or access needs when you apply.

Applications close: 11/05/2025 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- Official Visitor Role and Function (Aboriginal).pdf
- Official Visitor Role and Function (General).pdf
- Official Visitor Role and Functions (Legal).pdf
- Pre Employment Declaration - Official Visitor.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.