What is required from you

The role of a Customs Officer is highly rewarding, with our people bringing our shared purpose to life, every day.

The role can be physically demanding, requiring extended periods on your feet, moving heavy items, and responding to the varied demands of the operational environment.  Maintaining good physical health and a strong level of fitness is essential, and shift work is standard in many of our roles.

Before you apply, ensure you can meet our requirements, meaning you are prepared to undergo the screening requirements, such as security and background checks, a medical and drug test, and our training and functional fitness tests.

Our 13-week training course is made up of Te Ara Ako, an eight-week foundational learning pathway, and Mahia Te Mahi, a five-week rotational programme which supports on the job training. The full 13 weeks is delivered in Auckland, so this would mean time away from whānau, friends, and your local community. 

Eligibility Requirements

Before you can apply to join Customs, you must be prepared to meet the following requirements:

  • You are 18 years of age or older.
  • You are a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.
  • You are residing in New Zealand at the time of your application.
  • You have resided continuously in New Zealand for the last five years*.
  • You hold a current full New Zealand drivers’ licence or can acquire one when applying.
  • You are willing to undertake a full medical and drug screening assessment.
  • You are willing to undergo security and background checks.
  • You are willing and able to work shift work which may include nights, weekends, and public holidays.
  • You feel confident you would pass a physical assessment test.
  • You are willing to complete the foundational 13-week training course.

*Any exceptions to this will need to be discussed with Recruitment to assess whether you will still be eligible to meet the Organisation's Security Clearance application criteria.

 

Training

Te Ara Ako and Mahia Te Mahi is our 13‑week training course that is made up of two components: an eight‑week formal training programme (Te Ara Ako) followed by a five‑week rotational placement in operational work areas (Mahia te Mahi). 

Recruits who live outside Auckland are eligible for up to two return visits home to maintain connection with family and whānau.

Phase one | Te Ara Ako – Eight‑week formal training

This phase prepares new recruits for frontline duties through classroom learning, practical skills training, scenario‑based exercises, and exposure to real border environments. Recruits receive training on:

  • Border legislation, statutory powers, and operational decision-making,
  • Offences, compliance requirements, and enforcement options,
  • Questioning, interviewing, and communication techniques,
  • Searching baggage, goods, craft, and people,
  • Drug identification, concealment methods, and risk indicators,
  • Officer Safety and Defensive Tactics (OST).

Phase two | Mahia te Mahi – Five‑week operational rotation training

After successfully completing Te Ara Ako, recruits are appointed as Trainee Customs Officers and progress to the five‑week rotational phase. You will have the opportunity to apply and further build your knowledge and skills across operational environments including airports, cargo facilities, maritime operations, and mail centers. You will be supported by experienced officers who provide coaching and guidance throughout the rotation.

Assessment across both phases is pass/fail and focuses on the ability to apply knowledge and skills safely, consistently, and to required operational standards. On successful completion of the full 13‑week training course, you will take the Customs oath and be sworn in as a Customs Officer.

Working as a new Customs Officer

Customs Officers play a frontline role in protecting New Zealand’s borders, communities, and economy. They manage border security and respond to risks associated with the movement of people, goods, and craft, while ensuring lawful collection of customs and excise revenue.

The role is dynamic and requires sound judgement, professionalism, and a commitment to public service.

Depending on your location, the role of a Customs Officer varies:

  • International Airports - processing passengers and facilitating legitimate travel.
  • Cargo Inspection Facilities (Auckland and Christchurch) - inspecting and clearing air cargo entering New Zealand.
  • Auckland Processing Centre - examining and clearing international mail and parcels.
  • Maritime Operations - risk assessing commercial vessels, inspecting and clearing sea cargo, and facilitating cruise passenger movements.
  • City offices - providing service delivery and support to clients, customs brokers, importers and other stakeholders.
  • Integrated Targeting Operations Centre (ITOC) (Auckland) - contributing to intelligence-led targeting and risk assessment activities.

In Auckland, most Customs Officers enter a rotational deployment model. Deployments typically last 45 weeks and provide broad operational experience across multiple environments. This builds technical, operational, and investigative capability and opens pathways across the organisation.

Career progression is diverse. Officers may specialise, lead teams and operations, deploy offshore, or join specialist teams. Hours vary by location and may include early or late shifts in areas operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What is Officer Safety and Defensive Tactics (OST)?

Customs Officers are increasingly required to manage volatile behaviour, non‑compliance, and complex interactions. OST is specialist training designed to support Officers to manage these challenging scenarios safely while upholding legal and organisational obligations and maintaining personal and public safety.

If you are interested in becoming a Customs Officer, the Medical and Functional Fitness components of our recruitment process are designed to ensure you are physically fit and able to participate in OST training. 

Learn more about our recruitment process

Health and Safety and Uniform Requirements

Customs Officers are issued a uniform prior to commencing Te Ara Ako.

Recruits are required to wear a uniform for the duration of training, and this must be worn correctly, and with pride.

As a Customs Officer, you will be deployed across multiple operational areas, and like many employers, Customs has strict Health and Safety requirements that are in place for your safety and those around you.

In addition to meeting uniform and presentation standards, you must comply with all role-specific safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements applicable to your work. This includes using appropriate respiratory protective equipment to the required standard.

Exemptions will only be considered for faith based or certain verifiable medical conditions.

Our Health and Safety requirements also mean that in operating environments, long hair (shoulder-length and longer) must be tied back. 

Benefits

Customs Officers will receive a starting salary of approximately $61,403.00 depending on the location with increase based on performance in the role.

Officers will also receive four weeks' annual leave, three days' service holidays, overtime payments, discounted medical insurance with Southern Cross, and uniform laundering.

We support the growth of our people to help them reach their full potential by providing a variety of learning options, from e-learning to face-to-face workshops.

We offer a suite of NZQA accredited qualifications in Regulatory Compliance, Intelligence, and Border Management, including New Zealand's only NZQA-recognised Diploma and Certificate in Intelligence Analysis. We also offer a range of leadership workshops and programmes for officers who show a real potential to lead teams or become a specialist technical leader.