Council Careers Victoria
Local government is one of the biggest and most diverse sectors, and with 79 councils across Victoria, there are plenty of employment locations to suit your lifestyle.
From planning and building to community events and festivals, technological development to sports and recreation – each council provides over 100s of services. Regardless of what career you want to pursue, councils have roles for everyone!
In every corner of Victoria, councils search for future leaders and specialists wanting to improve their community. Here are just a few reasons you should consider a career with us:
- Be a Community Leader:
- Join us in Victoria to make a difference in your community.
- Explore diverse career options in local government.
- Connect with Your Community:
- Work closely with people, addressing their needs and concerns.
- Be part of large, exciting projects that transform your town.
- Your Impact Matters:
- See how your efforts improve lives and create a better future.
- Share our passion for helping others and building a proud community.
- Grow with Us:
- We care about our people and their growth.
- Access development opportunities, well-being initiatives, and more.
We proudly put our people at the heart of what we do. With personal and professional development opportunities, staff well-being initiatives, mentoring programs and study assistance all on offer, councils are focused on improving their communities and employees.
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Why Work For Council
Values driven
Councils strive to create equal and inclusive communities. They lead local programs that promote social justice and human rights, social inclusion, prevention of violence, and freedom from discrimination. These in turn support the provision of council services that are inclusive, accessible and equitable to everyone.
Councils are passionate about making Victorian communities a better place to live, work and play. They help to raise community living standards,
drive the local economy, develop major infrastructure projects, protect our natural environment and provide essential community services.
Student skills development
Councils assist local students to develop their practical workplace skills and experience through a range of employment programs for secondary students and/or work placements for further education and tertiary students.
While each council is different, the types of programs they may offer students include apprenticeships, traineeships, Tertiary job placements, cadetships, graduate programs and pre-trade youth work experience.
Career growth
Working at council gives you handson experience in a range of fields and diverse tasks. From engineering to parks and gardens, public health to digital media – there are more than 100 career options available.
Councils provide access to mentoring and support networks, exposure to senior leaders and the chance to work alongside the best experts in their fields. There are also training opportunities to help accelerate your learning and gain multiple skills. You can work across different business areas and teams to expand your knowledge and expertise so that your career grows with you.
Equal opportunities
Victorian councils value and embrace diversity within their workforce and work environment.
Applications are encouraged from everyone including graduates, working parents, people with disabilities, people from Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander and non-English speaking backgrounds, people of diverse sexual orientation, and people of varied ages, ability and faith.
Councils offer flexible work arrangements and workplace adjustments necessary to accommodate the needs of their prospective and existing staff.
Your wellbeing is a priority
Councils value their employees and recognise their role as an employer to ensure the ongoing wellbeing of their team. Many councils offer staff wellbeing initiatives such as employee assistance programs, social clubs, discounted health insurance and gym memberships, vaccinations and health checks.
Work Experience
Councils are major employers within their communities. Across Victoria, councils employ more than 43,500 staff in more than 300 different job roles.
Many councils assist local students in developing their practical workplace skills and experience through a range of employment programs for secondary students and/or work placements for further education and tertiary students.
While each council is different, the types of programs they may offer students could include:
- Apprenticeships
- Traineeships
- Tertiary job placements
- Cadetship
- Graduate Program
- Pre-trade youth work experience.
Applications need to be made directly with the council through their preferred process.
To find out more about potential work experience or work placement opportunities, contact your local council or visit their website.
Volunteer
Councils greatly value the significant contribution made by community members who volunteer their time.
Everyone has something unique to offer. Whether it’s accounting or technical skills or an interest in making social connections, there are many diverse opportunities for volunteers who have a variety of skills, interests and life experiences.
Councils seek volunteers to help provide a wide range of community services including home delivery of meals and library books to older people, acting as tour guides and reading buddies, walking dogs at pounds, and administrative support for council cultural facilities, festivals and events.
Volunteers can also help with local conservation initiatives to protect our environment, or use your professional skills to assist a community organisation with everything from accounting, marketing and web development.
Benefits of volunteering
People can give up nothing more valuable than their time, and many councils offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering is a fun and fulfilling way of contributing to your community while also gaining valuable experience in work you are passionate about.
It provides you with an opportunity to:
- Contribute to the spirit and well-being of your community
- Be part of a team and make friends
- Learn new skills and share your expertise
- Demonstrate your skills to future employers
- Gain personal satisfaction and have fun.
Things to consider
If you are interested in donating your time and skills, there are many opportunities out there for you, so it’s important that you consider which opportunity would be best for you and for the person, group, or organisation that you are volunteering for.
You will need to think about:
- How much time you are able to commit
- What kind of skills you can offer
- How much enjoyment and satisfaction you would get from your role
- How much responsibility you would feel comfortable taking on.
A council may require you to undergo a Police Check before you commence your volunteering role. Some roles also require a driver’s licence. Relevant training and ongoing support are provided to volunteers.
Graduates
Local government is passionate about making Victorian communities a better place to live, work and play.
Councils help to raise community living standards, drive the local economy, develop major infrastructure projects, protect our natural environment and provide essential community services.
They are keen to employ people who share their passion, want to make their work count and contribute to making the community a better place.
There are lots of opportunities for graduates to make a difference, while kick-starting your career with invaluable learning experiences and developing your professional skills.
Did you know?
Local government in Victoria:
- employs 43,500 people
- offers more than 300 different occupations
- delivers over 100 services to communities
- boasts 79 potential employers
- covers hundreds of employment locations
- manages budgets between $10 million and $700 million per year.
Why local government?
Councils are always on the lookout for future leaders and specialists to help shape their city or region.
A council career gives you the opportunity to work closely with the community and respond to people’s needs. The scale and scope of council responsibilities also offer the opportunity to be part of large-scale transformational community projects.
Working at council gives you:
- hands-on experience and accelerated learning
- opportunity for diverse tasks and being multi-skilled
- access to mentoring and support networks
- exposure to senior leaders
- work alongside the best experts in their fields
- professional development and study programs
- flexible working arrangements
- employee health, well-being and recreation programs.
Career paths
- Health and community services
- Early Childhood, Disability, Health & Social Science, Psychology & Humanities, Social Work, Arts/Youth Affairs
- Engineering
- Civil, Design, Construction, Performance, Project, Structural, Traffic
- Corporate and business services
- Accounting, Business Management, Commerce, Communications, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, Law, Marketing, Policy
- Environmental management
- Landscape Architecture, Park Management, Science, Environmental Health
- Planning and development
- Town Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, Property & Construction Management, Building Safety
