Compassionate Aged Care Food Service Assistant

For Purpose Aged Care; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 36,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging for living expenses

Wellness initiatives incl. fitness and

Health insurance discounts

Onsite childcare

Mentoring and career development

Job summary

Austin Health is seeking a Casual Food Services Assistant to support the central kitchen in preparing and portioning meals to meet dietary requirements and safety standards. You will work as part of a team to produce high‑quality, nutritious meals for patients.

Responsibilities include following the production plan, cleaning duties, receiving goods, and assisting cooks. The role emphasizes strong communication and time management within a patient‑focused care environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills coupled with a commitment to patient care.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment with good time management.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements, including allergen management and cross-contamination prevention.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals as per the production plan.
• Dishwashing, general cleaning duties.
• Receive and store incoming goods per the Food Safety plan.
• Assist cooks as required.

Skills

Excellent communication

Teamwork in fast-paced environment

Time management

Education

Year 10 or equivalent

Current Food Handling and Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Food Services Assistant

Job Description

If yes, please log in to the Austin Health careers website via ‘Employee Login’ using your network login details to search, view and apply for all career opportunities available.

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives.

About Food Service Department

The Austin Health Food Services Department is an in-house service which consists of the following two business units:

• Patient Food Services: provides patient meals for all Austin Health campus’ as well as providing a patient meals service to Royal Women’s Hospital. Currently the Austin Health Patient Food Services Department is plating approximately 2700 cook/chill meals each day. Food Services has 138 staff.
• Medi-Chef: is located on the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital (HRH) campus. Medi-Chef produces cook/chill (short shelf life and long shelf life) meal components for both Austin Health and other clients. Medi-Chef has 25 staff and currently produces 128,000 meals components per week.

About the role

The Food Services Assistant supports the preparation and portioning of meals in Austin Health’s central food production kitchen. In this role you will ensure meals are produced safely, accurately, and efficiently according to dietary requirements, food safety standards, and production schedules. Working as part of a team, you will help to produce high-quality, nutritious meals, contributing to patient care and service excellence.

A regular day will see you:

• Prepare meal as per the production plan.
• Dishwashing, general, and specific cleaning duties.
• Receive and store incoming goods as per the Food Safety plan.
• Assist cooks as and when required.

About you

As the Casual Food Services Assistant, you will be someone who has excellent communication skills, with a strong commitment to excellence in patient care. You’ll bring energy and drive to your work, and have a keen interest in developing your skillset.

To be successful in this role you’ll bring with you:

• Completion of Year 10 or equivalent.
• Current Food Handling and Hygiene Certificate.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment with good time management skills.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements, including allergen management and cross-contamination prevention.

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including:

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation.
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program.
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options.
• Mentoring and career development opportunities.

Work with us!

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check.

We are looking for a special kind of person – a St Vincent’s kind of person. Someone who puts compassion, connection and caring for other people at the heart of everything they do.

As a Food Services Assistant, you’ll be part of an experienced, engaged and dedicated team helping to create a welcoming, professional and supportive care experience for the residents of our Kew facility.

With stunning views, premium amenities, and a level of care second to none, St Vincent’s Care Services Kew redefines the expectations of residential aged care. This new 135 bed contemporary and luxurious residence located in one of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs and only 6km’s from the CBD, our spaces and services are focused on assisting residents to thrive by placing as much importance on wellbeing as comfort. St Vincent’s Care Services Kew is not just home, it’s a lifestyle.

Casual position available working across Afternoon shift

What’s on your CV is important, but what’s in your heart matters more Because at St Vincent’s, kindness works for us.

Things that work for us