Ron Hoenig
Minister for Local Government
Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
MEDIA RELEASE
Hundreds more apprenticeships available in councils under the Fresh Start Program
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
Councils across NSW can now apply for grants to employ up to 574 additional apprentices, trainees and cadets through the next round of the Minns Labor Government's Fresh Start Program.
The positions include 400 new roles funded through the multi-million dollar expansion of the Fresh Start announced in July, as well as 174 positions remaining from the program's previous three funding rounds.
Since the Program was announced in 2024, more than 1,100 apprentices, trainees and cadets have started work in NSW councils, helping councils fill skills gaps and build their workforce for the future. Of those recruits, 726 are working in rural and regional councils.
Recent data from Public Skills Australia's NSW Local Government Skills Audit identified significant skills gaps across local government, including in engineering, building surveying, town planning, mechanics and horticulture.
The Fresh Start Program gives councils the opportunity to train people in the skills they need, build they own long-term workforce and reduce reliance in outsourcing. It also gives people a pathway into a local government career while earning, learning and gaining practical experience in their own communities.
This is particularly important in rural and regional NSW, where attracting and retaining skilled workers can be difficult.
Broken Hill City Council is among the regional councils already using Fresh Start to create pathways into local government careers and strengthen local workforce capability.
Through the program, Broken Hill City Council has welcomed 11 Fresh Start recruits, with 10 of these recruits aged under 25 years old. The program is providing valuable career opportunities for young people in the local community, helping them build skills and experience while exploring pathways into local government.
The recruits are helping build the next generation of the local government workforce, with the program providing a pathway to long-term careers close to home.
Applications for Round 4 of the Fresh Start Program close on 2 October 2026, with new recruits able to begin work from July 1 2027.
More information for councils, including how to apply, is available on the Office of Local Government website.
Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig said:
"Councils do essential work every day, but they can only deliver for their communities if they have skilled people to do the job.
"Fresh Start is about something very practical - helping councils train and keep the people they need, while giving people a genuine pathway into a long-term career.
"This is especially important in rural and regional NSW, where councils often face the greatest difficulty attracting skilled staff.
"Here in Broken Hill, you can see what the program can mean for a community. Local people can earn, learn and build a career while contributing to the place they call home.
"More than 1,000 people are already working in councils through Fresh Start, including 726 in rural and regional NSW.
"There are now another 574 positions available, and I encourage councils to look at the skills they will need in the years ahead and use this opportunity to build that workforce locally."
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:
"One of the biggest challenges facing regional communities like Broken Hill is attracting and retaining the skilled workers councils need to keep delivering for local residents.
"Fresh Start is creating real opportunities for people to earn while they learn, gain practical skills and build secure, rewarding careers close to home.
"That's why the Minns Labor Government is backing rural and regional NSW communities with a record $3.46 billion investment in skills, training and TAFE NSW, because local councils need a strong local workforce. Fresh Start is helping develop that workforce and create long-term career opportunities in our regional communities."
Mayor of Broken Hill, Tom Kennedy said:
"The Fresh Start program has already become an important pathway for young people in Broken Hill to secure employment with Council and begin a meaningful career.
"I commend the NSW Government for their ongoing support of this program, and their investment in the youth of our communities."
Member for Barwon, Roy Butler MP said:
"Local councils are expected to perform at the same professional standard at metropolitan councils while also filling gaps in their communities such a childcare, all with less funding and while drawing from a smaller pool of potential workers.
"The Fresh Start program is very welcome because it offsets the costs required for local councils to educate local people to fill the roles required.
"Over the medium to long-term, training up more local apprentices also helps local businesses struggling with a shortage of qualified tradespeople."
General Secretary of the United Services Union, Graeme Kelly said:
"Fresh Start round 4 is a continuation of the Minns Government's commitment to reskill the NSW Local Government Sector with benefits right across the 128 councils in NSW.
"With over 1200 apprenticeships, traineeships, and early education traineeships, local government skills are returning ensuring that the needs of local communities will be delivered."
