Join us to put what you've learned at university into practice in a supportive team that is all about improving communities across NSW.
2025 graduate intake
We're seeking university graduates with qualifications in agriculture, environmental science, or veterinary science. Our 12-month program starts in February 2025.
Applications for the 2025 intake are open until 15 September 2024.
Some of the benefits of working for Local Land Services include:
- flexible working hours and enhanced work life balance
- uniform allowance
- dedicated training and support through our mentor and buddy program
- foster connections with industry experts
- strong links between work and community
- opportunity to get involved in major projects, emergency management and disaster recovery
- a safe and inclusive workplace
- be part of a large team committed to making rural areas thrive
- opportunities to apply for ongoing roles with Local Land Services at any time during your graduate year.
About the Local Land Services graduate program
We help graduates find opportunities across the department. Ensuring that you get support as you transition from university to the start of your career.
This includes facilitating relevant training, exceptional mentor support and opportunities for career progression.
You will start together with other graduates in February for a year of teamwork and learning.
Each graduate gets a mentor and regular feedback to help you succeed. You will have progress and support check points at regular intervals throughout the year.
Whilst there is no guarantee of ongoing employment at the end of the program, the experience will make you a strong candidate for ongoing roles with Local Land Services or other public sector agencies. We seek to keep graduates who have performed well in the course of the program.
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LLS Graduate Program
Read transcriptEligibility
To be eligible for the Local Land Services graduate program, you must:
- have a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate degree (AQF Level 7 and above) 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
- have completed your undergraduate or postgraduate studies between 1 June 2022 and 31 December 2024. Confirmed by your university transcript.
- be available to start work in February 2025
- have the right to work full-time in Australia until at least 3 February 2026. This includes Australian Citizens, permanent residents and visa holders.
Role details
These are full time roles, for a 12-month period commencing February 2025.
Local Land Services staff work a 38 hour week. You will have leave entitlements including:
- 4 weeks annual leave
- 20 days of sick leave and family leave
- 5 days community service leave per year
- flex time and superannuation entitlements in line with your employment contract.
Graduates working in the Western division receive an extra week of recreational leave each year, according to the Local Land Services Award.
Learn more about the role for graduate veterinarians
Learn more about the agriculture and natural resource management graduate role.
Remuneration
Agricultural Science and Environmental Science graduate roles have been assessed as Grade 4 under the Local Land Services Award. Grade 4 roles are remunerated $79,031 (plus superannuation) per annum subject to experience.
The Veterinary science graduate roles have been assessed as Grade 4.4 under the Local Land Services Award. Grade 4.4 roles are remunerated at $86,539 (plus superannuation) per annum subject to experience.
Available graduate fields
Local Land Services is the premier NSW Government organisation for delivering agriculture extension, advisory and capacity building services. Our agricultural services extend across NSW and provide significant value to landholders, industry, local communities and the economy.
At Local Land Services, we provide extension and advisory services that assist producers improve management strategies, practices, decision making, innovation and the adoption of new technologies. These services focus on increasing the productivity of livestock, cropping and horticulture enterprises. We help landholders prepare, manage and recover from major events such as drought, fire and floods and support landholders improve their farms natural assets. From agronomists to livestock officers, our agriculture teams work with a diverse range of customers, industries, and partners to strengthen agriculture in NSW. Facilitating workshops and events, on-farm inspections, seasonal updates and advice, hosting in the paddock events, utilising the latest technology and innovation into property management – we do it all. We are a trusted source of independent information and are well respected by our customers for our collaborative approach and problem-solving attitudes.
- This is a great introduction for graduates to get involved in delivering front line services to farmers, landcare groups and community.
- You’ll have the opportunity to work across various LLS functional areas where required including; agriculture, environment, biosecurity and emergency management.
- Internal support and mentoring are on tap, with collaboration and cooperation across all functional areas encouraged.
This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a supportive and experienced team of veterinarians and biosecurity officers who undertake work in the fields of prevention, preparedness, detection and response activities for animal biosecurity and animal welfare. You’ll be joining a “boots on the ground” organisation that is making a real difference, delivering quality customer service to farmers, landholders and the wider community in regional NSW.
Our district veterinarians diagnose and manage disease in livestock (such as sheep, cattle, pigs, goats and poultry) by doing on-farm investigations and providing advice or implementing legislation. We gather information which allows us to tailor advice on priority diseases across the region and work closely with private vets who treat animals and contribute to disease surveillance. We work closely with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and are always on the lookout for emergency, exotic, or notifiable diseases.
- This is a great introduction for graduates who are interested in production animals.
- You get involved in herd and flock disease investigation and management in a supportive environment.
- Extensive on-the-job training as well as an opportunity to attend our annual district vet conference, which provides networking & learning opportunities.
- Professional development in any production species is encouraged (e.g. vet public health, epidemiology or nutrition).
Our Natural Resource Management (NRM) team coordinates a range of natural resource management projects focusing on sustainable agriculture, threatened species, biodiversity, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and habitat recovery projects and works across the organisation to deliver key support to our customers and community.
Our NRM services are instrumental in changing the norms around productive agriculture and sustainable land use. As we enter a more carbon-constrained and rapidly-changing decade, we are reshaping these services to meet opportunities and challenges through new environmental markets, increasing community expectations for natural resource stewardship, and emerging models for valuing natural capital.
Local Land Services recognises the role of Aboriginal land management practices in contemporary natural resource management. We support land managers and natural landscapes to be prepared for ongoing climate change impacts, and to engage with emerging applications of behavioural sciences to assist land management practice change.
- As a graduate with our NRM team, you will get to work with farmers and communities to better manage our water, land, soil, vegetation, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
- You’ll have the opportunity to work on a range of engagement and project related activities such as sustainable agriculture, threatened species, riparian health, native vegetation restoration, grazing management and cultural burning.
- You’ll support our team with planning, landholder and community liaison and implementation of project activities, including on-ground monitoring and cultural due diligence checks.
Where you will work
The following locations are available for placements in the 2025 graduate program.
In your application, please specify 1-2 preferred locations from this list.
![a regional map of NSW with each lls region labelled.](/sites/default/files/styles/content_x1/public/2024-08/region%20map.png?itok=OdNpyUJZ)
Agricultural/ Natural Resource Management
- Central West: Dubbo, Forbes
- Greater Sydney: Penrith, Gosford (NRM)
- Hunter: Paterson, Taree, Scone
- Murray: Albury, Deniliquin
- North Coast: Grafton (NRM)
- Northern Tablelands: Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield
- North West: Tamworth, Gunnedah
- Riverina: Griffith, Wagga Wagga
- South East: Bega, Berry, Braidwood, Goulburn
- Western: Bourke, Broken Hill, Buronga, Cobar, Hillston.
Veterinary Science
- Central West: Forbes, Nyngan
- Murray: Deniliquin
- Northern Tablelands: Inverell
- North West: Tamworth
- Riverina: Young
- South East: Bega, Yass
- Western: Broken Hill, Buronga, Coonamble.
Ongoing learning opportunities
All Local Land Services staff regularly undertake training and receive support to equip them for productive and safe work, benefiting our customers and the community
As part of the graduate program, you will have access to a series of core learning programs to help immerse you in your new role.
Each graduate will work with their mentor and supervisors to create a personalised learning plan based on their interests.
Core learning topics include:
- goal setting for success
- understanding change and building resilience
- mastering effective conversations
- exceptional customer service
- behavioural insights profiling
- job application and interview skills training
- on Country experience (Aboriginal cultural awareness training).
Additional learning opportunities include:
- writing skills
- project management skills
- negotiation and influence skills.
Diversity and inclusion
We’re committed to providing more opportunities and welcoming more students with a diverse background.
People with disability are under-represented in the NSW public sector workforce. They have the potential to add valuable skills and perspectives to our sector. If you have a disability, you can request a reasonable adjustment at each step of the recruitment process. Send an email to talent.advisory@dpird.nsw.gov.au or contact the hiring manager for a confidential discussion.
We’re committed to making sure our workplaces are safe, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone. If you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and/or queer/questioning (LGBTIQ+), we want you to feel supported to bring your whole and true self to work in the NSW Government graduate program and throughout your government career.
The application process
Local Land Services’ graduate roles will be assessed against the GSE Comparative Assessment process.
The Comparative Assessment process will involve 5 discrete assessment steps:
- written application
- pre-screening video interview
- interview with a three person panel
- presentation at interview
- referee checks.
Stage 1: Submit your application
Candidates are asked to submit their resume, university transcript and covering letter via iworkfor.nsw.gov.au no later than Sunday 15 September 2024. Your cover letter should address why you are interested in the graduate program, your preferred stream and location(s).
Stage 2: Pre-screening
Eligible candidates will be invited to undertake an online pre-screening interview that uses video and can work on any device - your phone, tablet or desktop.
You can complete your videos in a space and time that works for best you.
The focus of these video interviews is to learn more about your interest and motivation in your professional field and working with Local Land Services
Stage 3: Interviews
If you are successful in progressing to this stage, you will be invited to a virtual interview with the recruitment panel.
The panel will ask you to make a 5-minute presentation on a topic that will be provided to you at least 72 hours prior to the interview.
The panel will also ask you a small number of behavioural style questions to assess your fit 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
If you satisfactorily pass stages 1 –4, we may make you 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.
Download the information pack.
For more information or to discuss the recruitment process, please contact amanda.heather@lls.nsw.gov.au or call 0477 998 910.
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](/sites/default/files/styles/content_x1/public/2024-08/lls%20graduates.png?itok=yYw43TdO)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/content_x1/public/2024-08/lls%20graduates%202023.jpg?itok=v4UsHT5q)
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