Planning Cadet

Planning Cadet
Targeted Opportunity for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Term Contract: 5 Years
Salary $1,291.32 per week plus superannuation
Qualification: Planning-related Bachelor Degree
Commencing: 1 February 2027

Have you completed at least one year of a planning related degree and want to help shape the future of cities and communities?At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong for our community. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community. Our aim is to work toward the community's goals in the Our Wollongong Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2035.Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play! Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.We lead with courage, openness and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here.

About the opportunityJoin Wollongong City Council as a Planning Cadet and gain valuable professional experience while completing your university studies. Working within Council's City Strategy Division, you will learn alongside experienced planning professionals and contribute to projects that help shape Wollongong's future. From supporting strategic planning initiatives and urban growth projects to researching planning issues and contributing to development assessment activities, this cadetship offers a unique opportunity to build practical skills in a professional environment while earning an income. Throughout the five-year program, you'll gain exposure to a range of planning disciplines and have opportunities to work across different areas of Council, developing the knowledge and experience needed to launch a rewarding career in planning.

What You'll Be DoingAssisting with strategic planning projects across Wollongong and the Urban Release Areas of West Dapto, Calderwood and TallawarraSupporting the preparation of planning policies and planning controlsUndertaking research, data analysis and reporting on planning issues and initiativesAssisting with the assessment of development applications under supervisionPreparing written reports, presentations and project documentationWorking collaboratively with a range of Council teams and stakeholders

We are looking for someone who:
Demonstrated interest in and understanding of key contemporary planning issues.Has completed at least one full time year of a Degree in Urban Planning or a related planning qualification by February 2027Appropriate language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills to manage the educational and professional requirements of the cadetship.Ability to work with data and information to identify trends, analyse issues and communicate insights to support planning initiatives.Appropriate professional judgment and maturity which continues to develop through exposure to a professional work environment and variety of work tasks and challenges.Works well in a team.Ability to adapt to and work effectively within a variety of challenging situations.Ability to seek and accept constructive advice from mentors and more experienced colleagues.Is reliable, self-motivated, and takes ownership of their learning and development.Can seek and accept constructive feedback from others.Has a commitment to understanding Work Health and Safety principles.
This position is targeted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples under Section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). This opportunity aligns with Council's commitment to supporting employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.Learn more about our learning pathways program and the benefits of working at council HERE

Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.For more information, click on 'Apply' to be redirected to Wollongong City Council's job vacancy page.Applications close 11:59pm11.59pm Sunday 23 August 2026.We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you'll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.