Casual Garbage Truck Drivers

Walgett Shire Council; Lightning Ridge; On-site; AUD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer superannuation contributions

Modern, well maintained equipment

Training and development support

Role variety across waste collection, 

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Walgett Shire Council is seeking reliable HR-licensed drivers to join our Environmental Resources team for casual waste services across Walgett and Lightning Ridge. In addition to driving, you may operate loaders, skid steers, compactors, excavators, and other equipment at landfills and quarries.

Applicants should be comfortable outdoors, performing physical tasks, and committed to safety. Roles span waste collection, landfills, quarries, and related operations with flexible hours.

Qualifications

• Current HR driver’s licence or higher is required.
• Experience driving heavy vehicles such as garbage/tipper trucks.
• Willing to undertake regular kerbside waste collection.
• Experience operating plant/equipment or willingness to train.
• Able to look after vehicles and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate modern waste collection vehicles and assist with plant operations at landfills, transfer stations, and quarries.
• Perform duties across waste collection, landfills, quarries and plant operations.
• Support daily checks and maintain records as required.

Skills

HR licence

Heavy vehicles

Outdoor work

Daily checks

Teamwork

Tools

Loader

Skid steer

Excavator

Job description

• Operate modern waste collection vehicles, including Council’s brand new Isuzu side lift and front lift garbage trucks


• Varied work across waste collection, landfills, quarries and plant operation


• Casual hourly rate (includes loading) starting from $41.67 and up to $50.89 depending on skills and experience

About the roles:

Walgett Shire Council is looking for reliable and capable HR-licensed drivers to join our Environmental Resources team and perform casual waste services across the Walgett and Lightning Ridge communities.

These are not just driving jobs. When you are not undertaking waste collection, you will assist with operations at Council’s landfills, waste transfer stations and quarries. Depending on your experience and licences, this may include operating loaders, skid steers, compactors, excavators, tipper trucks and other plant and equipment.

The work is practical, varied and important to maintaining living conditions within the Shire area and supporting the production and movement of quarry materials across the Shire.

Applicants with experience in transport, waste services, civil construction, quarry operations, agriculture, mining or general plant operation are strongly encouraged to apply. Previous local government experience would be useful but is not required.

About you:

The successful applicants will:

• Hold a current Australian HR driver’s licence or higher


• Have experience driving heavy vehicles, such as garbage trucks, tipper trucks or similar vehicles


• Be comfortable undertaking regular kerbside waste collection


• Have experience operating plant and equipment, or are willing to undertake training


• Take pride in looking after vehicles, plant and equipment


• Are reliable, punctual and able to work safely with limited supervision


• Are comfortable working outdoors and undertaking physical duties


• Can complete basic records, daily checks and operational paperwork


• Communicate respectfully with colleagues, contractors and members of the community


• Are willing to assist across waste, landfill, quarry and other operational activities when required


• Willing to work across both the Walgett and Lightning Ridge areas


• Have a strong commitment to workplace safety and responsible environmental practices

Experience is important, but attitude matters just as much. We are looking for people who are dependable, willing to learn and take genuine pride in doing a good job.

• Casual hourly rate starting at $41.67 per hour up to $50.89 depending on experience


• Employer superannuation contributions


• Modern, well maintained equipment


• Training and support to develop additional plant and operational skills


• Role variety across waste collection, landfills, quarries and plant operation


• Employee Assistance Program support for you and your family


• A supportive team environment within a regional Council.

About us:

Walgett Shire Council proudly serves a diverse and unique region in the heart of outback New South Wales. Covering over 22,000 square kilometres, with a population of approximately 7,000, the Shire supports key industries such as agriculture, grazing, grain handling, opal mining, and tourism.

Life in Walgett Shire offers the best of outback living—open skies, a strong sense of community, and endless opportunities to explore. Whether it’s fossicking for opals, exploring underground art galleries, soaking in naturally heated artesian springs, or enjoying the tranquillity of river fishing, the region offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience. For more information about Walgett and the Lightning Ridge area.

Closing date for applications:

Applications close at 9.00am on Monday, 23 November 2026.

Council reserves the right to close, withdraw or extend vacancies without prior notice.

Walgett Shire Council is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse persons, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Walgett Shire Council is a child safe organisation.

Walgett Shire Council proudly serves a diverse and unique region in the heart of outback New South Wales. Covering over 22,000 square kilometres, the Shire includes the towns of Walgett, Lightning Ridge, and Collarenebri, along with the villages of Carinda, Cumborah, Rowena, and Burren Junction, as well as expansive rural areas. With a population of over 7,000, the Shire supports key industries such as agriculture, grazing, grain handling, opal mining, and tourism.

Nestled at the junction of the Namoi and Barwon Rivers, Walgett is rich in history and natural beauty. Once a bustling paddle-steamer port, it is now the northern gateway to the iconic Darling River Run, offering breathtaking landscapes and a deep connection to Australia’s heritage.

Just an hour north, Lightning Ridge is famed for its vibrant opal mining culture and distinctive outback charm. Whether it is fossicking for opals, exploring underground art galleries, soaking in naturally heated artesian springs, or enjoying the tranquillity of river fishing, the region offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

At Walgett Shire Council, we are rebuilding with a people-first culture. Safety, our people, and service to the community are at the core of everything we do. We are looking for passionate and committed professionals who are aligned with our core values: Respect, Integrity, Ethical Conduct, Courage, Honesty, Accountability, and Responsibility.