Feeling a strong sense of purpose in our work is increasingly seen as essential for both job satisfaction and mental well-being. When you know your work matters, it can boost your mood, motivation, and overall happiness in life. And considering we spend about a third of our lives at work, our workplace environment plays a huge role in how we feel day-to-day.
Let’s explore why having purpose in your work is so important for your well-being, and how a career in local government can provide exactly that: purposeful work with tangible community impact.
Purpose is the key to well-being and job satisfaction
There’s a good reason mental health organisations emphasise purpose in the workplace. A growing body of Australian research shows that when people find meaning in what they do, their mental health and job satisfaction soar. Beyond Blue, Australia’s leading mental health support organisation, notes that ‘good work’ is beneficial to mental health because it adds structure, social connection, and purpose to our lives, a lack of meaning at work can contribute to stress or burnout.
It’s telling that nearly 1 in 5 Australians experience a mental health condition each year, many of them related to workplace pressures. Purpose is an influential driver of your overall well-being at work. Knowing why your work matters can significantly improve how you feel at work.
Purpose doesn’t just affect mental health; it’s closely tied to how satisfied you feel with your job. Numerous surveys confirm this connection. For example, one global review found 85% of employees report greater job satisfaction when they believe their work is meaningful and contributes positively to society.
It’s intuitive – if your job makes a difference, you’re more likely to wake up excited to go to work, even on the tough days.
Making a difference in your community through Local Government
Councils across Australia deliver a vast array of services that directly improve people’s everyday lives. 537 councils nationwide are at the heart of our communities, responsible for everything from the roads you drive on and the parks your family enjoys, to the libraries, community centres, and sports facilities that bring people together. Working in a council role lets you see the real-world impact of your efforts.
Council employees manage waste collection and recycling to keep our environment clean, ensure public health through water testing and food safety, plan for sustainable development, support local businesses, and so much more. When you fix a pothole, create a new park, or organise a community event, you can immediately see the result in your community – and that’s incredibly rewarding.
Working in a council means your ‘customer’ is essentially the community. As communications manager Maree Tippett from City of Canterbury Bankstown (NSW) puts it, “What we all have in common is a love for people and a desire to make a positive impact on the community.”
This shines through in every council department. Whether you’re in engineering, libraries, environmental management or community services, the ultimate goal is to serve the public interest. That sense of doing good can translate into a deep sense of personal fulfilment. In council roles, success isn’t measured in profit margins, it’s measured in community outcomes like safer streets, engaged youth, or cleaner public spaces.
If you’re a librarian, you see children discovering the joy of reading due to your programs. If you work in waste management, you know you’re protecting the environment and public health through your efforts. If you’re a town planner, you help shape the future of your community in a sustainable way.
This direct connection between effort and outcome can make even the challenging days feel worthwhile. Many council employees report that no two days are the same, but every day brings a chance to contribute. Lily Giles, a Youth Services Coordinator at Ku-ring-gai Council (NSW), shares how her role keeps her motivated: “I’m involved in initiatives that have a lasting impact on the community… I have people come up to me and give me wonderful feedback – it’s a really lovely feeling. That makes me feel a sense of purpose and value in the work that I do.”
This feeling is echoed by Jennie Dang, a Community Development Officer focusing on inclusion at City of Ryde (NSW), “Working with the community is deeply rewarding, and I find it fulfilling to see positive changes in their lives,” Jennie says. Her initiatives, including disability-inclusive volunteering programs and multicultural events, bring people together and improve lives. This fuels her passion for the job and her own well-being.
Even in roles that come with big challenges, council employees find purpose through service. Lawi Too, an Aboriginal Environmental Health Program Officer in the remote Shire of Halls Creek (WA), moved from Kenya to regional Australia to improve community health. His work involves traveling long distances to deliver health education in remote communities. What keeps him going? Seeing gradual improvements in people’s habits and knowing he’s made a difference. “You see the real impact of public health initiatives because you’re working directly with communities… It’s a rewarding career where you can make a lasting impact,” Lawi explains. By teaching kids about handwashing or helping provide safe drinking water, he can literally watch healthier habits take root and ripple out to families.
And it’s not only frontline community services where purpose is found. Even behind-the-scenes roles at council – IT staff keeping critical systems running, HR teams building a positive workplace culture, finance officers ensuring public funds are used responsibly – all tie back to serving the community.
Council employees often talk about the team pride and connection that comes from knowing their collective work benefits others. As horticulturist Deborah Geary from Woollahra Municipal Council (NSW) happily notes, “We have a shared pride in what we do… The general public often tells us we have the best job in the world – and they’re right!” It might be hot, hard work at times, but the appreciation from residents and the visible results makes it deeply satisfying.
Find your purpose
The research is clear that purposeful work boosts well-being, and the experiences of council employees show how life-changing it can be to contribute to your community. When you work in local government, you get to see the immediate results of your efforts. That knowledge can keep you motivated through the daily grind and make you proud of what you do.
If you’re seeking more meaning in your career, why not consider a role in local government? Australia’s councils offer a huge range of career paths, all united by the goal of community service. As we’ve heard, these careers allow you to find purpose and make a real difference. Whether you’re a new graduate, or looking for a career change, now is a great time to explore opportunities with your local council. Don’t settle for work that leaves you empty; a council career might just give you the meaningful work you’ve been looking for.
Explore council job opportunities and take the first step toward a meaningful career in local government – your community (and future self) will thank you.
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