Trainee Customs Officers

Looking for a job where you can make a real impact?

Interested in being on the front line, playing a vital role in securing our borders?

Want interesting career progression opportunities, professional development and training?


We're looking for Trainee Customs Officers for our August and October 2025 intakes. Don't miss this opportunity to start a career with purpose!

Apply now to become a Customs Officer and join us in protecting Aotearoa's borders, facilitating trade, and making a real difference.

A career at Customs | Te Mana Ārai could take you anywhere.


About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

Customs | Te Mana Ārai is the government agency responsible for ensuring the security of New Zealand's borders, regulating international trade, upholding Customs, Immigration and Excise laws. We operate at the forefront of New Zealand's security and economic activities.

We believe it's our people that make the difference. Customs | Te Mana Ārai is a "welcome home and a welcome here". People are at the heart of what we do. We believe compliance should be easy to do and hard to avoid. We are here to protect and promote Aotearoa New Zealand through world class border management.

We have Trainee Customs Officer roles available as follows:

Deployment*: You will work in our deployment teams who work on rostered shifts (6 days on 3 days off) and who move through a variety of work areas and locations including: Auckland International Airport, the International Mail Centre, Air Cargo Inspection Facility, Sea Cargo Inspection Facility (based at Ports of Auckland), as well as our Integrated Targeted Operations Centre and Service Delivery which are based at Customhouse in central city Auckland.
(*) Deployment Trainee Customs Officers: are rotated through different operational areas of Customs including airports, marine, client services and inspections over a period of 7 years. You'll spend a year in each operational area. Throughout your career in Customs, you'll be continually expanding your technical and leadership skills. Learning opportunities include specialist technical skills through to university level study in security and border management.


What you'll do | He aha tāu e mahi ana

Our deployment Trainee Customs Officers will:

Conduct inspections, examinations, and audits to ensure compliance with Customs laws and regulations, and prevent the illegal import or export of goods
Screen passengers and cargo for the detection of prohibited items such as drugs and objectionable material, security threats to New Zealand, and goods subject to duty and GST
Work alongside law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders at the border to combat illegal activities
Provide professional assistance to international travelers, answering questions and facilitating their transit
Engage in risk assessment techniques and intelligence gathering to identify potential threats and trends that contribute to the security of New Zealand.

As a Customs Officer working in deployment your base salary will be $58,718 per annum. An additional allowance for working across a range of shifts including weekends, nights and public holidays (on a 6 days on and 3 days off roster) is paid per annum of $15,860.

We will train you - which includes both on the job and classroom training including Officer Safety Tactics (self-defense) training. We'll also provide you with a full uniform.


Working for Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa…

To join Customs|Te Mana Ārai in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident*.

(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resided here continuously 5 years ago from the date of this application. You must also be residing in New Zealand at the time of this application.

OR a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who:

resided in NZ for the last 5 years
resided in NZ 5 years ago from the date of this application
resides in NZ at time of this application but may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of not more than 6-+ months within the past five years (preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA). Note, you will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.

You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level.

Due to the nature of Customs work you must have a clear Police record. Successful applicants are also required to pass a medical assessment and drug test and need to hold a full NZ Drivers' license.

Customs does not currently require new employees to be up to date with vaccination against COVID-1+ as a condition of employment. Customs may however reintroduce a requirement to be vaccinated if our health and safety risk assessment or government requirements change.


About you | Ko wai koe…

We're looking for people with…

a passion for protecting our borders, and who have an affinity with what Customs does
excellent communication skills and the ability to handle diverse situations professionally and tactfully
great attention to detail and the ability to make sound judgments under pressure
a high level of integrity and a commitment to an enforcement role, upholding laws, policy and procedures
ability to adapt quickly, work in an often fast-paced environment and be comfortable embracing technological advancements and procedural changes
a good fitness level and who can manage the requirements to work on a rostered shift work pattern.
New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.