Veterans Employment Program

Your time in the military has equipped you with all the necessary skills required to succeed in Local Government (LG).

Ex-service personnel have such a unique and extensive skills portfolio. 

Leadership, teamwork, initiative, accountability and communication 
are just some of the skills that are transferable into LG.

Your ability to see and understand the big picture clearly, coupled with your skills portfolio, makes you highly employable. 

Your ability to communicate your skills and attributes to an interview panel is paramount; the NSW Local Government Rank 2 Grade Guide and Local Government Capability Framework are two resource tools that were designed to assist both ex-service personnel and hiring managers to understand what transferrable skills are.

You will be quite surprised when you realise the similarities between Local Government (LG) and Defence.

The scale and diversity of the work LG is required to conduct means that there are many different career pathways available. Like Defence, LG's primary role is to serve its community. To be able to achieve this, LG requires a diverse and multi skilled workforce, who are upbeat, resourceful and determined. 

We offer a number of free, confidential services including financial, counselling, marriage and career coaching through our EAP service provider, for yourself and your family. 

The Local Government Rank to Grade Guide was developed to help both hiring managers and veterans understand how ADF skills and experience align with public sector jobs. Use this guide as a tool to help you identify where your skills and qualifications align you to.

The Local Government Capability Framework sets out the essential knowledge, skills and abilities needed to work effectively in Local Government. The guide outlines the requirements of Council roles and how your military experience can fulfil these needs at all employment levels.

Veteran Employment Program (VEP) is a communication and education platform that supports both veterans and hiring managers.

VEP continues to build a network of champions and partners to help promote the skills veterans can bring to Local Government.

Defence Members and Family Support (DMFS) has developed an ADF Member and Family Transition Guide which contains information on the transition process, as well as information on support services and administrative requirements.

• One of the support programs available to transitioning, or transitioned personnel, is the Defence Force Transition Program.
• This program has various workshops, training, programs and advice, which is designed to assist you, and your family with your transition.
• Note: Most of these programs can be accessed for up to 12 months after you transition, with some up to 24 months. However, you will need a referral from an ADF Transition Coach before you can access this program.

ADF Transition & Civil Recognition Project (ADFTCR) was established to undertake the work on aligning military skills and civilian qualifications. They will help you to understand what civilian employers want and how to express your service in a way that any employer can understand and value.

ADF Member and Family Transition Seminar is held nationally throughout the year and is designed to help you and your family plan and prepare for life outside of the military.

Remember: It's not just you who are transitioning out of the military, it's your family as well. Taking your spouse or family member to one of these transition seminars will increase your chances of a smooth and successful transition.

• ADF-Guide-for-Employers-of-Veterans.pdf(PDF, 2MB)
• Skills-Guide-Able-Seaman-AB-Lance-Corporal-Bombardier-LCPL-LBDR-Leading-Aircraftman-Aircraftwoman-LAC-LACW.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Acting-Sub-Lieutenant-ASLT-Second-Lieutenant-2LT-Pilot-officer-PLTOFF.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Captain-CAPT-RAN-Colonel-COL-Group-Captain-GPCAPT.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Chief-Petty-Officer-CPO-Warrant-Officer-Class-2-WO2-Flight-Sergeant-FSGT.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Commander-CMDR-Lieutenant-Colonel-LTCOL-Wing-Commander-WGCDR.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Leading-Seaman-LS-Corporal-CPL-Bombardier-BDR.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Lieutenant-Commander-LCDR-Major-MAJ-Squadron-Leader-SQNLDR.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Lieutenant-LEUT-Captain-CAPT-Flight-Lieutenant-FLTLT.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Petty-Officer-PO-Sergeant-SGT.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Seaman-SMN-Private-PTE-Aircraftman-Aircraftwoman-AC-ACW.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Sub-Lieutenant-SBLT-Lieutenant-LT-Flying-Officer-FLGOFF.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
• Skills-Guide-Warrant-Officer-WO-Warrant-Officer-Class-1-WO1-Warrant-Officer-WOFF.pdf(PDF, 1MB)

Education NSW offers fee-free training for all veterans and their recognised partners.

You can learn new skills and qualifications which will compliment your ADF skills and attributes to help you find the right job and have a rewarding civilian life.

TAFE NSW Ranks to Recognition works in partnerships with NSW Office for Veterans Affairs to assist Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans and their spouses and partners to transition into the civilian workforce.

Ranks to Recognition offers a wraparound service including careers advice, skills assessment, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning (RPL) and training gap analysis to help identify the skills and knowledge acquired in the ADF.