• Temporary Part Time Opportunity (1 day per week) for 2 years  

• Location: Port Macquarie   

• Salary – Skill Level A year 11 hourly rate from $12.08 per hour.  

About the Traineeship  

Traineeship program studying a Certificate III in Business. The trainee will undertake a combination of structured training and work activities to gain experience in business, communications and critical thinking.  

Why this Traineeship? 

• Earn while you learn: Gain a formal qualification and valuable certifications while getting paid 

• Hands on experience: Work in a business setting on projects that have direct impact on your community.  

•  Expert Mentorship: Learn from experienced professionals who are there to guide and support you. 

• Career boost: Set yourself apart with a combination of academic learning and practical industry skills. 

About the Role 

The Trainee Support Officer sits in the Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) team. AED focuses on strong cultural partnerships, and supporting regional Aboriginal business, employment and training aspirations. The AED team consists of a large cohort of Aboriginal staff who are regionally located and connected to the communities they support.  

The Trainee Support Officer is a School-Based Trainee role that provides administration support services to the Aboriginal Economic Development team and broader Regional Economic Development team to enable the efficient operation of the teams and provides support for approved projects.  

This role is for 1x day per week, total 50 days per year, over two years (total of 100 days 2026-2027).   

About You 

Our ideal candidate will have: 

• An interest in learning how to provide administrative support and help a team with everyday office tasks such as filing, data entry, and preparing documents. 

• Willingness to organise information, prepare basic correspondence, and support clear communication within the team. 

• Confidence to respond to simple enquiries and ask for help or escalate matters when needed. 

• Attention to detail and a commitment to keeping records and information accurate and up to date. 

• An interest in supporting projects, workshops, and team events while gaining practical workplace experience. 

Essential criteria: 

• Aboriginality - this is an Identified role under Section 14d of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and as such Aboriginality is an essential requirement of the role. 

• School Certificate (year 10) or equivalent. 

• Willingness to complete a Certificate III in Business (or equivalent by negotiation).  

• Willingness and ability to work from the Port Macquarie Office location.  

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team. 

• Computer skills in Microsoft Office packages. 

Applying is easy! 

Please apply via our online portal and submit:  

✅ A CV (max 1 page)  

✅ A cover letter (max 1 page) Tell us why you're interested in this opportunity.  

For further information about the role please contact Sara Abberton on 0459 918 167 or email sara.abberton@dpird.nsw.gov.au  You can also view the  Trainee Support Officer Role Description.docx

Applications close: 11:55pm, Wednesday 1 April 2026  

About us – together, we are DPIRD   

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) protects, supports and develops primary industries and regional economies.   

Collectively we support strong and sustainable agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries, and regional economies. We actively manage our natural assets: our lands and soils, minerals, waterways and oceans, vegetation and forests.   

The department brings together:   

• Local Land Services   

• NSW Resources   

• Agriculture and Biosecurity   

• Fisheries and Forestry   

• Regional Development and Delivery.   

We have skilled and dedicated teams working in 200 locations across regional NSW. With nearly 5,000 employees, and 75 per cent of the DPIRD team living and working in regional NSW, we are embedded in the regions we serve. Learn more about the benefits of joining our diverse and talented DPIRD team.   

Additional Information 

We are committed to ensuring every stage of the recruitment process is accessible and free from barriers. If you require adjustments or information in an alternative format to participate, please contact talent.advisory@dpird.nsw.gov.au   or the hiring manager listed for a confidential discussion.