Council traineeships, apprenticeships and cadetships can give you paid work, structured learning and a practical way into local government. You could work in a library, support a council office, learn a trade or build technical skills alongside study.
Current vacancies checked 13 October 2026. The four opportunities below are open at the time of checking. Closing times are Sydney time (AEDT). Follow the council’s own advertisement, because third-party listings can show different dates. After an intake closes, use the search steps below to find new vacancies.
In this guide
- Four current council opportunities
- Traineeship, apprenticeship or cadetship?
- How Fresh Start funding works
- Check your eligibility and study arrangements
- Find vacancies and prepare an application
Current council opportunities
Woollahra: Library Trainee
Open: closes 14 October 2026 at 11:59 pm. Based in Double Bay, this paid, temporary full-time role runs for 18 months while you complete a Certificate IV in Library and Information Services.
The council asks for a completed School Certificate or HSC, eligibility for the course under Smart and Skilled, no previous library/information-services or related qualification, and a current Working with Children Check. Mature-aged applicants are expressly encouraged. Show customer service, communication and computer skills, and check the physical duties. Read the official Woollahra vacancy and apply (S100-26-1321).
Shellharbour: Horticulture Apprentice
Open: closes 18 October 2026 at 11:30 pm. Work from Oak Flats Services Depot, train at Yallah TAFE and complete a Certificate III in Horticulture. This full-time apprenticeship can run for up to four years; compulsory course costs and approved TAFE leave are provided.
School leavers, mature-age applicants, second-year apprentices and people who have started the qualification are welcome. The application asks about RoSA or equivalent study, work or life experience and your licence class. A White Card is required before starting, alongside the pre-placement medical. Read the official Shellharbour vacancy and apply (SHELL1462).
Gunnedah: Civil Survey and Design entry route
Open: closes 19 October 2026 at 5 pm. This Gunnedah-based, full-time vacancy can be filled at cadet, graduate or qualified level, with training and grading matched to the appointment.
The entry route requires no prior work experience; school leavers and applicants of all ages are welcomed. Australian work rights are required. Explain your interest in surveying/design, mathematical problem-solving and willingness to learn. The senior-applicant diploma and extensive-experience criteria are not the cadet minimum. Ask the council which qualification and study arrangements would apply to you. Read the official Gunnedah vacancy and apply (GSC657).
Cumberland: Business Administration Trainee
Open: closes 23 October 2026 at 11:59 pm. A paid, 12-month full-time contract supporting Engineering and Building administration, based at Auburn with occasional travel between council worksites.
Applicants need a completed HSC and/or experience that supports tertiary study, plus Australian work rights. Use examples of customer service, organisation, Microsoft Office and teamwork. The advertisement does not name the qualification: ask before assuming the certificate level or training timetable. Read the official Cumberland vacancy and apply (CC221240).
These are verified council vacancies. Their advertisements do not establish whether they are funded through Fresh Start, so they should not be treated as confirmed Fresh Start placements.
Choose the pathway that fits the work
- Traineeship: often combines a vocational qualification with a job in administration, libraries, customer service or another occupation. Check the advertised course and contract length.
- Apprenticeship: usually involves a trade pathway with workplace and formal training. Consider the daily work, safety requirements and travel to training.
- Cadetship: may combine employment with tertiary or technical study. The title alone does not tell you which qualification, how much study leave is provided or who pays the fees.
- Graduate role: may require a completed or soon-to-be-completed qualification. Some vacancies accept candidates at several career stages; read the relevant entry route.
Compare these routes with our NSW Government traineeship guide and apprenticeship guide.
Fresh Start funds employers; you apply for council jobs
The NSW Government’s Fresh Start program helps councils employ apprentices, trainees and cadets. Councils, county councils and joint organisations apply for the funding. Individual jobseekers apply for vacancies through the council’s recruitment process.
Round 4 employer grant applications closed on 2 October 2026 and are being assessed. That grant deadline does not close the separate job advertisements above. Read the official information for councils for the funding status, and the official jobseeker guidance for your application route.
Check your fit before you apply
- Check the course eligibility as well as the job requirements. Prior qualifications can affect a funded training place.
- Confirm pay, working hours, the length of employment and what happens when the training finishes. Do not assume a permanent role is guaranteed.
- Ask about study days, course fees, equipment, licences, transport and any travel to the training provider.
- Read age, school-completion and work-rights requirements for the individual vacancy. An early-career label does not automatically exclude career changers.
- Check medical, Working with Children, police and other requirements only where relevant to the role. Ask the recruitment contact about adjustments if you need them.
If study or placement costs are a barrier, explore our scholarships, grants and study-support guide. Funding schemes have their own eligibility rules; they do not automatically cover a council course.
Find vacancies and prepare a useful application
Start with councils you could realistically commute to or relocate for. Use their official careers pages and the Careers at Council route linked by the Office of Local Government. Search for trainee, apprentice and cadet alongside the work you want: library, administration, civil, horticulture, surveying, finance or information technology.
- Open the council advertisement and role description. Save the job reference, closing time and required documents.
- Choose two or three examples from work, study, volunteering or practical projects that match the duties.
- Explain why this occupation interests you and how you have shown reliability, safe work, customer service or willingness to learn.
- Answer the actual application questions. A council form may need more than a resume and cover letter.
- Submit through the advertised route and keep your confirmation.
For a starting structure, read our free NSW Government cover-letter template guide. Adapt it to the council’s questions and document limits.
Explore the Get Started in Government hub for graduate programs, paid training and study assistance, or read about direct entry-level roles beyond graduate programs.