Planning as a career

Planning shapes tomorrow’s cities, towns and regions.

Every day we benefit from the outcomes of good planning. This might be in the form of potable running water, roads to drive on, parks to play in, nearby shops to meet our daily needs or being able to appreciate our natural environment. It’s not just good luck, it’s good planning and planners play a critical role in making these things happen.

They help create communities where people want to live. Find out more about planning and how it works.

The critical work planners do has gained prominence over time as people place more importance on the ‘liveability’ of their community. This includes carefully balancing the built and natural environment, economic prosperity, educational opportunities, and cultural and recreational possibilities.

Working in state planning

Our department works with other state agencies, local government, industry stakeholders and the community to deliver better planning outcomes for Queensland.

The work carried out by planners in the department is varied.

They may be involved in:

• setting state policy, which includes working with our partners across state government to help maintain our planning legislation
• working with local governments to help create or amend local planning schemes
• regional planning, such as setting regional planning frameworks for state policy through regional plans
• helping to identify and deliver critical infrastructure
• assessment of development proposals

We have offices and teams across Queensland from the Gold Coast to Far North Queensland and out to Central Queensland and the Darling Downs.

Opportunities with us

Working in state planning will expose you to many career opportunities.

Our department places great importance on professional development through on-the-job training, mentoring, continuing professional development programs and formal training.

Through the Queensland Government Planning Awards, students also have the opportunity for a four-week paid internship in the Planning Group. The internships show students first-hand how Queensland’s planning framework drives economic growth and delivers well-planned, sustainable and resilient communities.

The Student Placement Program provides an opportunity for third and fourth year planning students to undertake work experience in two of the department’s key business groups: Planning Group and Economic Development Queensland.

Find a vacancy

Submit an application to the Continuous Applicant Pool (CAP) for consideration:

• AO4 Planning Officer
• AO5 Senior Planning Officer
• AO6 Senior Planner
• AO7 Principal Planning Officer.

If deemed suitable, your details will remain in the Applicant Pool for a period of 6 months and should there be an employment opportunity, you will be contacted to discuss the opportunity further. Additional vacancies are advertised on the Queensland Government Smart Jobs and Careers website.