Planning Cadet

Wollongong City Council; Wollongong City Council; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Wollongong City Council is offering a Planning Cadet program. You will join the City Strategy Division to learn from planning professionals while completing your degree.

The cadetship covers strategic planning, urban growth, research on planning issues, and development assessment activities, spanning five years to build practical skills and a professional network. You will contribute to projects across Wollongong, preparing reports and presentations, and collaborating with multiple council teams

Qualifications

• Interest in and understanding of contemporary planning issues.
• Completed at least one full-time year of a Degree in Urban Planning or related qualification by February 2027.
• Strong language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills.
• Ability to work with data to identify trends and support planning initiatives.
• Professional judgment, teamwork and openness to mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Assist with strategic planning projects across Wollongong and Urban Release Areas.
• Support preparation of planning policies and planning controls.
• Undertake research, data analysis and reporting on planning issues.
• Assist with assessment of development applications under supervision.
• Prepare written reports, presentations and project documentation.

Skills

Interest in planning issues

Education

Urban Planning degree (or related)

Job description

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.

Learn more about us here.

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 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.
• Has completed at least one full time year of a Degree in Urban Planning or a related planning qualification by 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.

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.

Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.

Applications close 11.59pm 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.