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
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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 10 successful candidates will commence commenced with LLS 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 are proud of our Graduate Program which is a commitment to the regions we service, helping to develop and keep professionals in regional NSW.Bringing the latest skills and knowledge into our communities while working alongside our experienced teams. ​

The primary purpose of the program is to support succession planning through attraction of highly skilled and qualified graduates from agricultural, environmental and veterinary science, creating a pipeline of talent into the future.  ​

Our graduates get special support and chances to grow through: 

  • on-the-job experience
  • mentorship  
  • training
  • engagement with landholders and stakeholders. 
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Local Land Services Graduate Program

The Local Land Services Graduate Program provides valuable on-the-job training where graduates work closely with experienced Local Land Services staff to support...

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Video transcript

Local Land Services Graduate Program

The graduate program is kind of designed and inspired by connecting what we do now to our potential to do amazing incredible work into the future. It gives us a much better outcome for our customers and our farmers and our land managers, because we get that continuity of, you know, new ideas coming through. Plus the experience of the older staff. I've decided to join LLS as I was fortunate enough to grow up in the dairy industry surrounded by an amazing community. And I thought, what better than to try for this program and be able to give back to the community that supported me. Servicing local needs with local peoples as part of what creates, the point of difference for local land services. we're able to provide to our customers and rural land managers. They will get to learn on the job. They will get to experience some incredible joy and richness from delivering those services. What do I hope to get out of the program? As I said mainly hands on experience. On the field work. getting out there and actually contributing where it where I can or where it's needed, is certainly what I'm trying to do as early as I can. One of the values of this program that we've run over the last three years, this being the third year, is all of the recent grads have gained either full time employment with LLS or with other organisations.

 

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

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

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

The success of the 2023 and 2024 programs led to increased interest in 2025 with Local Land Services now recognised as an employer of choice in our industry.  For the 2025 recruitment round, we received over 120 applications which led to the employment of another 10 graduates across Agriculture, NRM and Veterinary Science in February 2025.

A group of young people stand in a room posing for the camera.
Graduates from the 2025 program. Left to right: Back row - James Mettam, Mikayla Cole, Bridie Mulligan, Emily Hegarty, Rob Grant, Front row - Ryan Cope, Danielle Fordham, Hannah Shields, Kaitlin Hutchings and Amelia Whyman.
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’ve had countless opportunities to learn new things and break out of my comfort zone. I have felt warmly welcomed into the Ag team and have had the privilege to learn from some of the best experts in their fields. The invaluable experience of learning to project manage, combined with the practical outdoor work on the farm and the opportunity to network with others, has been extremely rewarding.

Sarah Ireland 2024 Ag Graduate - Central Tablelands 

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.
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