Physical Assessment

To ensure all Prison Officer recruits are able to undertake the physical requirements of Pre -Service Training and carry out the job itself safely, without risk of injury to themselves or others, we require you to pass the Prison Officer Pre-Service Physical Capability Assessment.

This is based on the physical requirements of Prison Officer Pre-Service training, as well as the inherent requirements of the Prison Officer role. You will perform a number of graded tasks which have been designed to assess:

 

Flexibility

Lumbar flexibility measured by how far you can reach towards your toes in a seated (flat) position with legs extended.

Hamstring flexibility is measured by how high you can raising your straight leg from a lying position

 

Percentage of body fat

This measurement is made by assessing skin fold thickness with a skin calliper.

 

Upper body strength

Upper body strength is assessed by performing a series of push up style exercises. The exercises increase in difficulty -

  • supporting your own body weight in a vertical position,
  • supporting your own weight in a kneeling position
  • performing push ups from the horizontal, legs extended position

 

Abdominal strength

Abdominal strength is assessed by performing sit-ups from a horizontal position.

 

Aerobic capacity

Your aerobic capacity (VO2max) is measured by a step test. Your aerobic capacity is rated against accepted normative data as an indicator of your fitness.

  • step up and down from a step height of 41.25cm for 3 minutes
  • Men : 24 steps per minute,
  • Women : 22 per minute (timed by an electronic metronome)
  • Your pulse rate is taken 5 – 20 seconds after the test, and is then multiplied by 4 to give your recovery pulse rate per minute. Your recovery heart rate is then used to calculate your VO2max using a pre-determined formula

Note : Your final assessment will be a compilation of performance indicators in each component of the assessment process.

Preparing for the Physical Capability Assessment

If you exercise regularly and maintain a base level of fitness, you should not find the assessment difficult. If you don’t do regular exercise, it may be more of a challenge. For the best chance of success we recommend you start some sort of fitness training at least four weeks before your assessment. This could involve a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes every day, but it’s up to you to find a fitness routine that suits your circumstances and prepares you for the assessment.

Note : If you have any pre-existing medical conditions that might impact on fitness training, we advise you to consult your doctor for advice before you start.

Please contact the HOBAN Recruitment and Projects Team if you have any concerns or would like to discuss this further.
1300 304 128 or projecte@hoban.com.au