Job Description

Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places, and economies.

• Drive impactful land use planning initiatives in a fast-paced, strategic setting
• Temporary Full-Time Opportunity until July 2027 – potential to extend
• Parramatta with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience ranges from $115,853 - $130,547 + Super

At the heart of the New South Wales (NSW) planning system, the Planning Group takes centre stage. Driven by the NSW Government’s unwavering commitment to tackling the critical housing issue, we provide essential support and strategic guidance.

The Planning Land Use Strategy, Housing and Infrastructure (PLUSHI) teams are the driving force behind the Department's strategic planning, policy, rezoning, and infrastructure projects, all aimed at making New South Wales a better place to live.

We take pride in our comprehensive approach to planning and development, with our teams actively managing the housing and employment land supply pipeline through strategic planning, policy development, state-led statutory rezonings, and infrastructure planning.

PLUSHI’s work includes significant projects like housing policy reform, regional strategic plans, economic and social policy development, State Significant Rezoning Policy (SSRP), Transport Oriented Development (TOD), and the Urban Development Program (UDP), which help monitor and coordinate housing development, land supply, and infrastructure delivery.

The Role

As a Planning Officer in the Local Planning and Council Support branch within PLUSHI, you will play a crucial role in delivering strategic planning and policy initiatives that shape the future of NSW communities. You will work closely with local government and other government agencies to deliver land rezonings across NSW. You will contribute to housing delivery, economic development, and infrastructure planning to ensure a resilient and liveable NSW.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on a range of planning matters with a focus on inner Sydney councils.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting research and analysis to inform strategic planning and policy recommendations.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of planning policies, strategies, and statutory rezoning projects.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and community groups, to achieve planning objectives.
• Supporting infrastructure coordination and land use planning to enable sustainable development.
• Providing input into policy reviews to improve planning frameworks and processes.
• Briefing planning panels on rezoning projects.

For more information, read the full role description: Planning Officer PLUSHI LPCS PO1B RD 31032026.docx

What You Will Bring

You will bring strong analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate data and inform decision-making, excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities, experience in policy development, strategic planning, or land use planning and demonstrated knowledge of relevant planning and environmental legislation and processes

Essential Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant planning and environmental legislation and processes
• Tertiary degree qualification or other equivalent qualification
• Willingness to travel and Class C Driver’s Licence for regional positions

What’s in It for Me?

Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support. We offer flexibility in work arrangements, diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. Additionally, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to succeed.

About Us

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively; and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities, and entities.

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share opportunities, and provides workplace adjustments where needed.

Join Us

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and a cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close 11.55pm Monday 20 April 2026.

For further information about the role, please contact Emma Hitchens via emma.hitchens@planning.nsw.gov.au or Eva Stanbury via eva.stanbury@dpie.nsw.gov.au

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via talent.acquisition@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 63637676​ - HR Support, option 3, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.