Caring Food Services Assistant | Flexible, Casual Shifts

Upa External; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 39,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible shifts

Casual rates & loadings

Additional Christmas/New Year work

UPA induction & support

EAP & wellbeing support

Potential for permanent roles

Job summary

UPA NSW is seeking casual Food Services Assistants to support residential aged-care homes across NSW. You’ll enjoy flexible shifts, a proper induction, and the chance to work with familiar residents and teams. This role offers a pathway to ongoing or permanent opportunities when available.

Ideal candidates are reliable, friendly, and able to work safely in a busy kitchen environment while focusing on food safety and quality service.

Qualifications

• Experience in hospitality or food service is helpful.
• Desirable though not essential: Food Safety or Food Handling Certificate.
• Ability to work with older residents and in a busy kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare dining rooms and meal-service areas.
• Plate, serve and clear meals to residents.
• Assist with basic food preparation and kitchen cleaning.
• Follow food-safety, hygiene and infection-control requirements.
• Support cooks and engage respectfully with residents.

Skills

Food service

Hospitality

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

Food Safety Certificate (desired)

Job description

Good food matters. So does the person serving it.

At UPA, mealtimes are more than another task on the roster. They’re a chance for residents to enjoy good food, have a chat and feel at home.

We’re building a casual pool of Food Services Assistants to support our residential aged‑care homes across (INSERT LOCATION) throughout Christmas, New Year and beyond.

If you’re looking for extra shifts, flexible work around your other commitments or a possible pathway into permanent employment, this could be a great fit.

WHY THIS CASUAL ROLE IS DIFFERENT

These are direct UPA employment opportunities not agency placements. You won’t just be another name filling a shift, you’ll be a UPA employee and part of the team from day one.

You’ll receive a proper UPA induction, ongoing workplace support and the chance to work with familiar residents, teams and homes rather than starting from scratch every shift.

It’s the flexibility of casual work, with real connection and support, and the potential to move into ongoing or permanent employment when opportunities become available.

You’ll receive:

• Flexible shifts matched to your availability where possible
• Competitive casual rates, including applicable loadings and penalty rates
• Opportunities for additional work over Christmas, New Year and beyond
• Proper UPA induction, training and workplace support
• The chance to work with familiar residents, employees and homes
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing support
• The opportunity to be considered for permanent roles when suitable vacancies become available

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

You’ll help make every meal service safe, smooth and enjoyable by:

• Preparing dining rooms and meal‑service areas
• Plating, serving and clearing meals
• Assisting with basic food preparation
• Washing dishes and keeping kitchen areas clean
• Following food‑safety, hygiene and infection‑control requirements
• Supporting cooks and other members of the food‑services team
• Taking the time to engage respectfully with our residents

YOU’LL BE A GOOD FIT IF YOU:

• Are reliable, friendly and comfortable working with older people
• Can work safely and efficiently in a busy environment
• Understand the importance of food safety, hygiene and teamwork
• Have good communication skills and a positive attitude
• Can work across a range of days and shift times

Experience in hospitality, food service, catering or a commercial kitchen would be helpful. Previous aged‑care experience and a Food Safety or Food Handling Certificate are desirable but not essential.

ABOUT UPA

UPA of NSW is a values‑driven, not‑for‑profit organisation providing residential aged care, home care and retirement living services throughout NSW.

Our focus is simple: ensuring our residents always have “our people by their side”.

BEFORE YOU START

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of UPA’s required pre‑employment checks, which may include:

• National Criminal History Check
• Pre‑employment medical assessment
• Evidence of vaccinations required under UPA policy
• Verification of Australian working rights and relevant qualifications

As this is casual employment, shifts will depend on operational requirements and your availability.

UPA welcomes applications from people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, veterans, refugees and people with disability.

If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please let us know in your application.

Applications close: 22 nd October 2026