The new Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW, and for Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, is supporting the launch of the second phase of the Local Land Services (LLS) graduate program to future-proof the next generation of veterinarians.
LLS veterinarians play a key role in protecting NSW from biosecurity threats through regular disease surveillance, animal welfare investigations and by working with farmers to provide quality extension services and advice.
Minister Moriarty said graduates will be mentored by these experienced veterinarians, as well as biosecurity officers, and put their studies into practice working alongside the NSW farming community.
“Following the success of the inaugural Local Land Services graduate program, I’m pleased to see the second phase up and running and encourage budding veterinarians to apply,” Ms Moriarty said.
“This is a great opportunity for graduates to kickstart their careers and work with producers to help implement best practice biosecurity measures on their farms.
“Local Land Services is one of the largest employers of field vets in Australia and with shortages of vets, this program is helping shore up our future workforce, while also providing a pathway to keep highly skilled graduates in regional communities.
“Biosecurity is one of my top priorities and increasing the number of veterinarians on the ground is crucial to protecting our primary industries sector from threats like foot-and-mouth disease.”
Six veterinary graduate roles are available across the South East, Western, Northern Tablelands, Central West and Greater Sydney LLS regions.
Local Land Services veterinary graduate Ashleigh Harrigan said anyone considering a graduate position should definitely apply.
“What I enjoy most about the role is getting outside and working with farmers, helping them to do what they love doing and working on the common goal of improving the productivity of their livestock enterprises,” Ms Harrigan said.
“In my first two months I’ve been involved in an emergency management response, worked closely with sheep, cattle, goat and pig producers, conducted health and wellness audits at our regional saleyards, and been involved in notifiable diseases traces and disease investigation workshops.”
Recruitment closes Sunday May 14 but recruitment for additional agriculture and natural resource management graduates will occur from July onwards.
To find out more or apply for one of these positions visit the Local Land Services website at lls.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/our-major-projects/graduate-program
