Get your foot in the door

When you’re close to finishing your university studies, it’s the perfect time to seek entry-level positions with councils.

Apply your learning to real-life situations, gain valuable experience for your résumé and potentially secure a job in your field right after you graduate.

High-demand roles

Councils need workers with tertiary qualifications for these roles:

What are graduate programs and cadetships?

Graduate programs

Graduate programs offer entry-level professional positions in local government. They're usually restricted to people who have completed or will complete a relevant degree or qualification within 2 years of joining the program.

Graduate positions usually last for about a year, and often lead to further employment with your host. Each council and career area will work with graduates differently.

Graduate positions usually offer:

• opportunities for you to demonstrate and apply your skills and learning
• additional professional development to improve your understanding of the local government context
• support and mentorship by a senior officer
• work in a team of graduates to deliver a special project
• learning progression and increased responsibility as you become more familiar with how the council works
• rotation through different areas or teams in the council.

Cadetships

A cadetship is a fixed-term, paid placement intended for people in the final years of their studies. The content and delivery of cadetships will vary greatly between councils and specialisations.

Cadetships generally offer:

• practical, hands-on experience in your field before you graduate
• credit towards a course requirement to complete an internship or industry placement
• additional training or resources specific to local government
• rotation through various teams
• a particular task or project to complete.

Career areas for graduates and cadets

Graduate programs and cadetships are commonly offered in the following areas:

• accounting
• asset management
• building (surveying and inspecting)
• engineering
• environment and sustainability
• ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
• planning and development.

Find a graduate program or cadetship

To find opportunities you can:

• use our job search to see what is currently available
• contact your local council and ask what they might offer.

The Careers Counsellors and Course Coordinators at your university are likely to know about relevant programs. They should be able to give you advice about putting together an application or preparing for an interview.

Work experience

Councils welcome high school students interested in trying out occupations through short-term industry placements.

Contact your local council to find out what types of work experience programs they offer, or talk to your school’s Careers Counsellor.