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 excellent 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.

Planning Cadet

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 (or are you enrolled or eligible to enrol) and want to help shape the future of cities and communities?

About the opportunity

Join 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 Learn​

- Strategic and statutory planning principles and practices
- How Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), Development Control Plans (DCPs) and planning policies are developed
- Development assessment processes and planning legislation
- Research, analysis and reporting techniques for planning projects
- Stakeholder engagement and community consultation practices
- Professional communication and presentation skills




- How local government contributes to sustainable growth and liveable communities ​

What You’ll Be Doing​

- Assisting with strategic planning projects across Wollongong and the Urban Release Areas of West Dapto, Calderwood and Tallawarra
- Supporting the preparation of planning policies and planning controls
- Undertaking research, data analysis and reporting on planning issues and initiatives
- Assisting with the assessment of development applications under supervision
- Preparing written reports, presentations and project documentation
- Working 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.
- Is currently enrolled in a planning related degree and has completed no more than 12 months of study, or is eligible to enrol in a planning related degree by 1 February 2027.
- Appropriate 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.

​Learn more about our learning pathways program and the benefits of working at council HERE​

​Our learning pathways program provides you with:​

Learning about local government and how we contribute to our community.





- Exciting and meaningful work that has a real impact.
- Regular mentoring with your supervisor to help develop your professional skills.
- A tailored professional development plan to help you succeed and be your best.
- Valuable skills, knowledge and experience.
- Enrolment fees paid by Council.
- Paid time release to attend classes or undertake distance education required for your study.
- Completion of an industry recognised qualification.

A fun, friendly and supportive work setting!​

Why you’ll love working at Wollongong City Council!

- True work-life balance We know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes.
- Great working conditions Enjoy a 35-hour work week or a 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
- Career growth and recognition

We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.

- Generous leave provisions Benefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years.
- Health, safety, and wellbeing
We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks and discounted gym memberships.
- A vibrant social culture Join our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events!

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 11.59pm Sunday 27 September 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.

📌 Planning Cadet (Wollongong)
🏢 Wollongong City Council
📍 Wollongong