Vacancy Details

Gardener Trainee

  • Fixed Term Full Time
  • Monday to Friday, 76 hours per fortnight, 9 day fortnight
  • Order – Apprentices and Trainees Wages and Conditions
  • Location – Rockhampton

Earn While You Learn

Looking to start a meaningful career in horticulture while making a real difference in your community? Rockhampton Regional Council is offering a unique opportunity to join our team as a Gardener Trainee, working across Council’s cemeteries.

In this full-time, 12 month, Fixed Term Full Time traineeship, you’ll gain hands-on experience in horticultural maintenance and cemetery operations, while studying towards a Certificate II in Horticulture and gaining your Excavator ticket. You’ll be supported by experienced mentors and work in a respectful, team-oriented environment that values professionalism and care.

Beyond the practical skills and qualifications, this role offers the unique opportunity to contribute to a space of reflection and remembrance. By helping to maintain and beautify our cemeteries, you’ll be providing comfort and dignity to families and individuals navigating grief, making a meaningful difference for our community.

What we are looking for

  • A genuine interest in horticulture and a desire to build a career in the industry.
  • A team player with a proactive mindset and strong communication skills.
  • Eager to learn and committed to completing formal training requirements.
  • Passionate about contributing to the upkeep and improvement of the region’s cemeteries.
  • Reliable, enthusiastic, and able to follow instructions while showing initiative.

What you'll get in return

As an employee of Rockhampton Regional Council, you will join a diverse and innovative team of more than 1000 employees supported by good leadership, who proudly deliver services and make a difference to the lives of people living and working within the region.

  • Supportive Work/Life Balance
  • A large employer with a strong values driven culture
  • A generous superannuation scheme – Up to 18% superannuation (conditions apply)
  • Ongoing training and development opportunities
  • Corporate membership discounts
  • Payroll deductions and salary sacrifice options
  • 17.5% annual leave loading
  • Wages paid fortnightly
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Fitness Passport and active social clubs

Curious about where a career with Council could take you? Join us on Tuesday, 12 August 2025 for an inspiring Information Session where you’ll connect with current employees and supervisors, meet the recruitment team, discover real stories and career journeys and explore exciting opportunities and pathways within Council. See link below for more information.

To be eligible for this role, applicants must be

  • Aged 15 years or older and no longer at school.
  • Able to meet citizen, residency, and visa requirements to undertake a traineeship.
  • In possession of a C Class Driver Licence (Minimum Provisional).
  • Able to complete a satisfactory Criminal History Check - Police Certificate (Australia Wide Name Only Police Check).

Rockhampton Regional Council Traineeship & Apprenticeship opportunities are made available with the assistance of government funding. This position is subject to further eligibility requirements. Applicants must meet one of the following identified groups (you can meet more than one requirement):

  • Young people (aged 15 – 24 years)
  • People with disability
  • Long-term unemployed job seekers
  • Displaced workers
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Women re-entering the workforce
  • Mature-age job seekers (45 years or older)
  • Veterans and ex-ADF personnel and their families
  • Migrants and refugees from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

To apply for this opportunity, please submit three (3) documents

  1. Completed application form – find linked below with the position description.
  2. Your Current resume and your most recent school report card (if you are at school or have left school in the last three years).
  3. Please provide a 1-2 page Cover Letter addressing each dot point below.

Application Criteria

  • Your desire to pursue a career Horticulture and your suitability for the traineeship.
  • Please tell us about your skills, work experience and/or volunteer work that may be relevant to the role.

Please use Council’s cover letter template and ensure you clearly label each Application Criteria in your cover letter.

Click the ‘Apply’ button to complete your online application.

Unlock more insights by visiting this link.

Applications Close: Monday 1 September 2025 at Midnight (AEST)