As a member of our team, you won't just work for the city; you’ll co-create it.

Here, your ideas and efforts directly shape the places where you and your community live, work, and play.

Do you like working outdoors and learning new skills? This could be the perfect opportunity for you to earn as you learn! Becoming an Apprentice with the City of Newcastle (CN) will provide you with the opportunity to combine on-the-job learning with structured training.

As a Horticulture Apprentice, you will work in conjunction with highly experienced Field Supervisors and Coordinators, focusing on a variety of projects and acquiring skills in planting and pruning trees, shrubs and other plants, operating basic machinery, maintaining and operating irrigation systems, and identifying and controlling weeds, pests and diseases.

This is a 4-year fixed-term contract based within our Open Space Operations team, where you will gain exposure to all elements of horticulture through on-the-job and technical training.   

Find out more about your new career by viewing the position description here.

Life at City of Newcastle (CN)

You’ll get to experience your work up close alongside the brilliant minds of your colleagues who care for one another and the region.

You’ll chip away at ambitious plans with a talented, passionate crew alongside you, shaping the very fabric of our community. Showing up for neighbours not shareholders.

Every single day offers the chance to think big and act local. Planning and prioritising to achieve the most important outcomes with the community.

You’ll add value in the moments that matter. From librarians to lifeguards, in a range of iconic places, we achieve a better Newcastle together.

Whether we’re planning to host major events, providing essential services or supporting creative artists, it’s what we do when the cameras aren't rolling that matters most.

And we’ll be there for you in important times in your life. We embrace flexible work arrangements to find a balance that allows us to enjoy the city we shape.

Our focus on inclusion and respecting culture, will help you feel a deeper connection with others. You'll connect with internal communities that will help you to feel a sense of belonging and reflect the diversity of the growing region.

You’ll do meaningful work and do it sustainably as you take ideas from plan to play, in your own backyard.

With hundreds of different roles, each person adds their uniqueness to our culture and plays their part as we head towards our 2040 vision.

With natural assets and a focus on the environment, co-create a sustainable region with us.

Why join CN? 

At CN, we value our employees, and their wellbeing takes priority. We encourage employees to make time for what's important and provide the benefits to enable a work life balance that allow us to enjoy the city we shape. To read more, visit here! 

• 38-hour working week with flexible/hybrid work arrangements/model as well as an optional 9-day fortnight

• 4 weeks of annual leave, 3 weeks of personal leave plus 2 additional paid public holidays

• 17.5% annual leave loading yearly payment

• Paid parental leave for primary carers

• Industry leading employment conditions

• Corporate Fitness program from as little as $12.90 per fortnight

• Access to a range of exclusive CN employee benefits programs, including Novated Lease options as well as access to reward and recognition vouchers

• Annual performance development plans and ongoing training and development opportunities

• Leading the CN Way leadership program

• Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (IDE) employee networks and initiatives

• Access to Health & Wellbeing programs including an Onsite Physiotherapist, Yoga and Mental Health Ambassador Groups

We champion inclusion so that everyone is valued, and we encourage innovation and creativity. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where different styles, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, encouraged, and respected.

People with diverse lived experiences (including but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from different cultural, racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, carers, and veterans) are encouraged to apply.

Don’t just work for the city, co-create it. Join and expand your career at the City of Newcastle.

What is next? 

If you are successful in progressing to the next stage of our recruitment process:

You will be required to attend 1 x group assessment centre for a 3-hour period on Thursday 12 February 2026.

If you are successful in progressing to the next stage of the recruitment process after the assessment centre: You will be required to complete a Pre-employment medical scheduled to take place on Tuesday 16, 2026 - Friday, 19 February 2026

Application Closing Date: Sunday 18 January 2026

Remuneration:  From $37,856.48 + 17.5% annual leave loading, yearly payment + 12% Superannuation per annum for a 38-hour week 

Contact: If you require further information, please refer to our FAQ’S sheet here and or, send an email to our team via [email protected]