Local Land Services graduate program

The LLS graduate program offers a 12-month opportunity for university graduates to immerse themselves in the frontline services we provide, supporting regional communities, landholders and the environment. 

2 lls graduates squatting down and smiling at the camera against a sunny bushland background
On this page

Local Land Services graduates have the opportunity to put what they've learned at university into practice in a dynamic and supportive team focused on improving community outcomes across NSW.

2025 graduate intake

Applications for the 2025 intake closed on 15 September 2024 for graduates with degrees in: 

  • agriculture, agricultural science or farm management, or
  • environmental science, environmental management or similar, or
  • veterinary science degree recognised by the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW. 

The successful candidates will commence in February 2025 for a 12-month period.

Applications for the 2026 cohort are scheduled to open in August 2025. Keep an eye on our website or email organisational.development@lls.nsw.gov.au to be notified of dates.

About the Local Land Services graduate program

We help graduates find opportunities across the department. Mentors ensure they get support to transition from university to the start of their career. This includes facilitating relevant training, support and opportunities for career progression.  

Graduates start together in February for a year of teamwork and learning. They become part of an experienced and professional team within a friendly rural community. 

Each graduate gets a mentor and regular feedback to help them succeed. There are also progress and support check points at regular intervals throughout the year.  

Local Land Services prioritise employee wellbeing by offering great working conditions, including flexible work practices.

Whilst there is no guarantee of ongoing employment at the end of the program, the experience prepares graduates to be a strong candidate for ongoing roles with Local Land Services or other public sector agencies.  

1:30

LLS Graduate Program

Read transcript
Video transcript

LLS Graduate Program

Grad Programs in Local Land Services

Grad programs are really important in terms of value for local land services. Why grad programs are important is because we've got a lot of experienced staff and we need to bring young people through so we get succession planning. They've been educated in the state of the art, up to date technology and learnings, and I think that's really important to bring that enthusiasm, that new knowledge into existing programs and it gives a better outcome for the customers that we serve.

Fantastic opportunity for those people to get a really positive start to their career. We'll provide great opportunity for them, and we hope after 12 months that they have had a great experience and continue their career journey within local land services.

What I hope to get out of the local Land Service graduate program is just some really practical experience in Extension. It's experiencing a new production system, so I'm moving to Broken Hill in Western New South Wales, so I'm really excited to learn about what agriculture is out there. Natural resource management and support landholders in sustainability.

It's been really pleasing the way they've slotted into local land services. So with the mentoring program, each young grad has a mentor that checks in with them regularly, weekly, and make sure that they're on the right path and gives 'em a chance to ask questions and learn. And it's a learning by doing, which is really important on the job. So it really builds their skills and experience, and we're seeing them really flourish.

 

The application process 

Local Land Services’ graduate roles are assessed against the GSE Comparative Assessment process. 

The Comparative Assessment process involves 5 discrete assessment steps: 

  • written application 
  • pre-screening video interview 
  • interview with a three person panel 
  • presentation at interview 
  • referee checks.  

Stage 1: Initial application

Applications for the 2025 intake closed on 15 September 2024.  

Stage 2: Pre-screening

Eligible candidates undertake an online pre-screening interview.

Stage 3: Interviews

Candidates who progress to this stage will be invited to a virtual interview with the recruitment panel. 

The panel interview will include:

  • a 5-minute presentation on a topic that will be provided at least 72 hours prior to the interview 
  • a small number of behavioural style questions to assess the candidate against the capabilities described in the graduate role description.  

More info on behavioural questions can be found at Interviews - NSW Public Service Commission.

Stage 4: Post-interview checks

Referee checks will be undertaken for preferred candidates.

Stage 5: Offers of employment

Preferred candidates may receive an offer of employment. This offer will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks (citizen, visa, qualifications and criminal history). Candidates may also be asked to undertake a pre-employment health check. 

Some candidates may be placed into talent pools that can be used when future employment opportunities at this grade arise. 

Past graduate programs

We are proud of our Graduate Program which is a commitment to the regions we service, helping to develop and keep professionals in regional NSW, and bringing the latest skills and knowledge into our communities to work alongside our experienced teams.

The 2024 program was launched in Wagga Wagga where 13 graduates were inducted over 3 days.

a group of graduates from the LLS graduate program smiling in the sun standing in a rural field facing the camera
Graduates from the 2024 program. Left to right: Sarah Ireland, Rachel Faulkner, Tina Nguyen, Jazz Beddows, Maz Hoelscher, Savannah Kelly, Elizabeth Polley, Marlee Clayton, Tayo Jimoh, Brianna Hatty, Dan Siratkov, Carrie Evans, Elias Christofi.

 

I have loved every moment of the graduate program! I am a part of an amazing, motivational, and supportive team, learning something different and exciting each day. Erosion intervention, native seed collection, weed surveillance, spotlighting and drone surveillance, threatened species booklet, carbon neutral farming workshop, and grant application assessments are just some of the projects and activities I have been involved in.

Rachel Faulkner, 2024 NRM Graduate – Murray

In 2023 LLS launched the inaugural graduate program, welcoming 10 graduates to agriculture, district veterinary and natural resource management teams. 

group of graduates smiling at the camera with a lush bushland background
Graduates from the 2023 program. Left to right: Back row – Cameron Kirk, Ashleigh Halligan, Luella Champ, Kate Jenkins, Ellie Ireson. Front row – Eloise Haigh, Brianna Carney, Lauren Adler, Claire Rogers, Divya LaBrooy.

Since starting with LLS, I’ve been involved in emergency management response, presented at field days, worked closely with sheep, cattle, goat and pig producers, conducted health and wellness audits at our regional saleyards, traced notifiable diseases such as footrot, and been involved in disease investigations.

Ash Halligan, 2023 Vet Graduate – Riverina
Download as PDF Print this page
Top of page