Student/Graduate Planner

Apply Now; Sydney; On-site; AUD 89,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym membership

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Inner West Council in Sydney is seeking a Graduate Planner for students or recent graduates in town planning. You will help process development applications and respond to inquiries on development matters. The role offers flexible work options and a pathway to becoming a key contributor in planning decisions.

Graduates with a town planning qualification will work under guidance, with a clear focus on customer service, analysis, and reporting. Closing date 11 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

• Substantial commencement or recent completion of tertiary qualifications in a town planning related field.
• High standard of verbal communication and writing skills.
• Skills in research and analysis of town planning related issues.
• NSW Class C Driver’s Licence.
• Commitment to quality customer service.

Responsibilities

• To efficiently and effectively process development and associated applications submitted to Council under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Local Government Act, and related legislation in accordance with Council's policies and procedures.
• To respond to verbal and written requests for advice concerning development matters, including formal Pre-Development Application advice.

Skills

Verbal communication

Writing skills

Driver's licence

Customer service commitment

Education

Town planning degree (tertiary)

Job description

Inner West Council (IWC) is among Sydney’s larger local metropolitan local government councils looking after a community of 201,000 people living in some of the inner city’s most vibrant, creative, liveable, and diverse suburbs. As we continue to deliver quality, innovative, and inclusive programs and services, we invite you to join in on our journey towards becoming the best council for our community.

The community is at the heart of IWC, and our values of Integrity,Respect,Innovation,CompassionandCollaborationare at the centre of everything that we do.

We offer flexible career life balance with hours that allow you to relax and recharge.We offer a variety of flexible work arrangement options(e.g. flexible hours and working from home) where appropriate giving you even greater quality of work life balance.

Permanent employees benefit from our great valuegym membership from $18.65/week giving access to a vast network of gyms in Sydney.

The Student / Graduate Planner role is intended for students and recent graduates who are either currently undertaking or recently completed their studies in town planning. The purpose of the roles are:

• To efficiently and effectively process development and associated applications submitted to Council under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Local Government Act, and related legislation in accordance with Council's policies and procedures.
• To respond to verbal and written requests for advice concerning development matters, including formal Pre-Development Application advice.

Please note that the commencement date for this role is flexible

Please read the Position Description to familiarise yourself with all the requirements and conditions of the role.

Graduate: $89,733.28 - $101,515.44 + 12% Superannuation

Some of the required skills, experience and qualifications

• Substantial commencement or recent completion of tertiary qualifications in a town planning related field.
• High standard of verbal communication and writing skills.
• Skills in research and analysis of town planning related issues.
• NSW Class C Driver’s Licence
• Commitment to quality customer service.

Enquiries

Christian Hemsley, Team Leader E-Planning (Acting) on 9392 5706

Closing Date

Sunday 11 October 2026, 11:30PM

Eligibility for employment/Pre employment Checks

Successful applicants must be eligible to work in Australia and agree to provide information for pre-employment checks as required for the position. This may include police records checks, certified copies of relevant qualifications, Driver’s Licence and proof of work rights in Australia (please refer to the Position Description for the specific qualifications/requirements for the role). Copies of any sighted documents will be kept by IWC for its records as proof of verification.

Inner West Council is proud to be an inclusive and equitable employer

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to reflecting the diversity of our community. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ people, veterans, young people, and mature age workers.

This commitment to diversity and inclusion is one of the many reasons we were named the 2023 AR Bluett Award Winner as the most progressive council in NSW. We’re also proud recipients of the 2023 Australian Business Awards Employer of Choice and the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Award for Organisational Diversity and Inclusion.

Inner West Council is among Sydney’s larger local government agencies, looking after a vibrant community of 201,000 people living in some of the inner city’s most vibrant, creative, liveable and diverse suburbs. As we continue to deliver quality, innovative and inclusive programs and services, we invite you to join us on our journey towards becoming the best council for our community. We are committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity, WHS, sustainability, continuous improvement and business excellence. The community is at the heart of the organisation, and Council’s values of integrity, respect, innovation, compassion and collaboration guide everything we do. As an organisation committed to child safety, we also recognise the importance of the wellbeing of all children and young people, and the marvelous value they bring to the inner-west community, and it is essential they are safe while taking part in community life. All Council employees share the responsibility to keep them safe while they access services and enjoy Council facilities. Council expects commitment to these values and responsibilities from all its employees as they serve the community and make Inner West a great place to be.

All new workers must be and remain fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to beginning their work or hold a valid medical contraindication.