Apprentice Parks and Gardens

Love working outdoors? Turn that passion into a career with a Parks and Gardens apprenticeship. Gain practical experience, work on diverse community projects, and complete a nationally recognised qualification while enjoying life in the beautiful Bellingen Shire.

Whether you're finishing school, exploring a new career path, or ready to learn a trade you're passionate about, this is your opportunity to gain practical horticulture skills and build a rewarding future in parks and gardens maintenance.

About Us

Working with us means more than just a job – it's an opportunity to make a real difference at a local level. We're a small but impactful council known for innovation, collaboration, and community connection. With around 160 dedicated employees, our team is passionate about delivering services that support the people and places that make our shire special.

Bellingen Shire is a picturesque and diverse area located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and just south of Coffs Harbour. Covering 1,605 square kilometres with around 10km of coastline, the region is renowned for its stunning natural beauty – from lush rainforests and pristine rivers to the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. Our towns and villages are known for their charm, creativity and strong community spirit.

Living and working here offers the perfect blend of lifestyle and purpose. With a focus on sustainability, cultural richness, and a warm, welcoming community, Bellingen Shire is an inspiring place to grow your career, enjoy work-life balance, and contribute to something meaningful.

What's in it for you

• Earn while you learn – complete a three-year paid apprenticeship combining work while studying a Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
• Learn from experienced team members and gain practical, hands-on skills every day
• Valuable on-the-job experience working on a variety of community spaces, gardens, and landscaping projects across the Bellingen Shire
• Access to wellbeing programs, learning opportunities and Council benefits

What you'll do

• Assist with the maintenance and improvement of parks, gardens, playgrounds, and sporting grounds
• Learn to plant, prune, fertilise and care for trees, shrubs, lawns and gardens
• Safely use hand tools, power tools, and small machinery
• Take part in both on-the-job and formal off-the-job training
• Follow workplace health and safety requirements and environmental practices
• Work collaboratively with your team to deliver quality outcomes for the community

What we're looking for

We are seeking someone who: 

• Has completed a minimum of Year 10 (a pre-apprenticeship or previous exposure to horticulture, landscaping or outdoor work will be highly regarded, but not essential)
• Is genuinely interested in horticulture, landscaping or parks maintenance and enjoys practical, hands-on work outdoors
• Is committed to learning and completing the apprenticeship qualification
• Is safety conscious, with an understanding of safe work habits and the importance of following procedures
• Is reliable, responsible and a good communicator, who works well in a team environmentIs physically capable of performing manual work in varying outdoor conditions

Recruitment timeline

A Group Assessment Centre will be held at Council's Depot at 4 Alex Pike Drive, Raleigh, on Tuesday 2 December 2025 from 8:30am to approx. 1:00pm and all shortlisted applicants must attend.  Please ensure you are available on this date, as this session will not be rescheduled.

• Interview invitations sent - Week of 17 Nov 2025
• Assessment Centre - 2 December 2025
• Reference Checks commence - 8 December 2025
• Pre-employment medicals - 8 & 9 December 2025
• Employment Offers - Week of 15 December 2025
• Start date - 2 February 2026

Please note:  All notifications and updates will be sent via email.  It is the applicant's responsibility to check their email (including junk/spam folders) regularly to ensure they do not miss important information.

On offer

Some of the benefits working for Bellingen Shire Council include:

• Access to Fitness Passport
• Access to employee wellbeing programs
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Salary packaging options 

Weekly wage is dependent on age and will range from $482.00 for a 15 year old to $827.40 for 18+ years.

Still Have Questions?

• For further information regarding this role please contact Mick Cooper, Works Supervisor - Urban, on
• For enquiries about the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team at  

Sponsorship/work rights for Australia

Please note you must be an Australian citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident to be eligible for appointment to this apprenticeship.

How to Apply

Please read the Position Description by clicking the link at the bottom of this page to gain a full understanding of the responsibilities and requirements of the role. 

No candidate meets every single desired qualification or skill.  If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined but you believe you could add value to the role, we would love to learn more about you

If this sounds like you, click the 'Apply for this job' button at the top of the page.  You will need to complete the application form and upload your current resume with a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Applications close: Sunday, 9 November 2025 at 4pm

Important information

As part of the recruitment process, suitable candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening which can include relevant background checks, functional capacity assessments, psychometric testing, and drug and alcohol screening (where relevant to the role).  We may also review publicly available information (such as social media) and, with your consent, contact previous employers not listed on your application.

Our recruitment process is managed via system generated emails.  Please ensure your email address is entered correctly to avoid missing important updates and outcomes.  Notifications may include application confirmation, interview invitations, reference requests, and application outcomes.  Remember to check your email regularly, including your junk/spam folder.

Bellingen Shire Council is a 2025 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.

Bellingen Shire Council as an equal opportunity employer is committed to a merit-based workforce that encompasses inclusiveness and diversity in an environment of mutual respect. We invite, encourage, welcome and value candidates of all ages, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and people who have lived experience of disability to apply to work with us.

Bellingen Shire Council is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.

If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please contact the People and Culture team on or You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.