BIOSECURITY and agriculture extension jobs are among those to be cut by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Public Service Association of NSW assistant general secretary Shane O'Brien told Weekly Times Now the cuts would have ripple effects through country communities not just the farming sector.

The association understands "at least 300 positions" including 90 extension officers from the department's agriculture section, 110 jobs in catchment management, 50 from the biosecurity and 47 staff from business services, which support the departments, would be slashed.

Mr O'Brien said government officials had met with staff in small groups during the past few days to inform them of the cuts.

"We haven't heard anything from them (the government) but we understand they have met with about 2000 people."

He said the way situation was being handled was "appalling" and while in opposition the National Party had campaigned with the association to protect country jobs.

"It's 300 jobs across almost exclusively country NSW. It's $30 million not being invested in country communities . . . and it means there's going to be fewer services and support."

Mr O'Brien said the announcement was disappointing given the NSW Government recently found $1 billion after an accounting error.

A Department of Primary Industries spokesman told Weekly Times Now earlier this week the 300 positions equaled less than 10 per cent of the DPI workforce.

"Impacted staff will be invited to apply for other positions in the department, offered voluntary redundancies, or will be put on the deployment list to be placed in other departments," he said.

"These changes are in line with the establishment of Local Land Services."