Cook

ABRS; Sydney; On-site; AUD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35-hour work week

Flexible working arrangements

Paid cultural leave and NAIDOC Week

Job summary

Barnardos Australia is seeking a Cook to support early learning programs across NSW/ACT. You will help educators deliver healthy eating experiences and prepare age-appropriate meals in line with the centre’s menu and nutrition guidelines.

You will have credentials in early childhood care and commercial cookery, with food safety certification and experience in bulk cooking for children. The role emphasises cultural safety and collaboration with Aboriginal communities.

Qualifications

• Certificate/qualification in early childhood care and education required.
• Knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements for children.
• Experience cooking in bulk and managing portion sizes.
• Experience in an Early Learning Centre preferred.
• Demonstrated respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities.

Responsibilities

• Assist educators to provide healthy eating and wellbeing learning experiences.
• Prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks per approved menu and nutrition guidelines.
• Ensure safe food handling, storage and serving per food safety requirements.
• Accommodate cultural dietary needs and individual dietary restrictions.
• Follow medical management plans and centre policies when preparing food.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Bulk cooking

Age-appropriate meals

Cultural safety

Team collaboration

Education

Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)

Current Food Safety Supervisor certificate

Job description

About the Role

As a Cook, you will:

• Support educators to provide positive learning experiences around healthy eating, nutrition, food and wellbeing.
• Prepare and provide nutritious, balanced and age-appropriate meals and snacks in accordance with the Centre’s approved menu and nutrition guidelines. Ensuring meals are presented appropriately for children's ages and developmental stages, including consideration of choking risks.
• Ensure safe preparation, handling, storage and serving of food in accordance with applicable food safety and hygiene requirements, to prevent cross contamination and allergen exposures.
• Maintain strict processes for children with cultural dietary requirements, intolerances, and individual dietary requirements.
• Follow children’s medical management plans, risk minimisation requirements and relevant Centre policy and procedures when preparing and serving food.

You’ll join a collaborative and supportive team delivering high-quality, trauma-informed services that uphold child safety, cultural safety, and family-led practice.

Skills and Experience :

• Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education.
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookry) or equivalent.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor certificate.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food safety standards and ability to implement the food safety program.
• Ability to prepare age-appropriate meals and snacks.
• Knowledge of child nutrition and dietary requirements.
• Experience with cooking in bulk and managing portion sizes.
• Experience in a Cook position in an Early Learning Centre.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities, including a strong understanding of cultural safety, self-determination, and the historical and contemporary factors that impact Aboriginal peoples.

What’s on Offer:

• Base salary: $68,867 per annum (pro rata, if applicable) + 12% superannuation
• Salary packaging: Up to $15,860 tax‑free (general living expenses)
• Meal & entertainment packaging: Additional $2,650 tax‑free per FBT year
• Leave loading and additional wellbeing leave

Other benefits include:

• 35-hour work week
• Flexible working arrangements
• Paid cultural leave and a day off during NAIDOC Week
• Extra annual leave over the Christmas–New Year period
• Ongoing development: mentoring, acting up, secondments
• Volunteer leave and opportunities to engage in community events
• Access to Barnardos’ Indigenous Cultural Support Unit, Gurung Wellama

About Barnardos Barnardos Australia is a leading children’s charity with a proud history of protecting children and strengthening families. Our work spans communities across NSW and the ACT, focusing on safe, stable, and connected futures for vulnerable children and young people.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Barnardos Australia recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians, with unique culture, languages and spiritual relationships to the land and seas. We are strongly committed to improving the lives of children and young people and to uphold the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be safe and cared for within their own communities and remain connected to their families and culture.

For Barnardos Australia, reconciliation means working in a meaningful and respectful way with Aboriginal families and communities. It is a commitment of Barnardos Australia to work in collaboration and partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities,always guided in this process by principles of self‑determination.

Pre‑employment Requirements You will need (or be willing to obtain):

• National Police Check
• A current drivers licence
• Working with Children Check (or APP number)
• For ACT roles: Working with Vulnerable People card, CYF Check, and Driver History Check