Cook (Relief)

Department of Health, Tasmania; Latrobe; On-site; AUD 77,000 - 83,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development and pathways

Leave entitlements including study

Fitness Passport – 40+ facilities

Job summary

Department of Health, Tasmania seeks a Cook (Casual) at Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe (NW Tasmania). You will prepare and cook meals for patients and staff, including special dietary requirements, while upholding food safety and kitchen standards.

Roster is casual and rotation across shifts, with emphasis on accuracy, hygiene and teamwork. Applicants should hold a relevant trade qualification and demonstrate commitment to high standards of hygiene, food safety, and quality service

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge and experience in large-scale food preparation, production and cooking operations.
• Commitment to high personal hygiene, punctuality and food safety standards.
• Relevant trade qualification and dedication to food safety and workplace safety.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking the preparation, cooking and chilling of all meals, including special dietary requirements, in accordance with standard recipes.
• Assist with receiving food, beverages, kitchen supplies and other deliveries.
• Checking deliveries against orders, including quantities, quality, condition and expiry/use by dates.
• Completing stocktake and maintaining accurate inventory records.
• Maintain a high standard of food safety and kitchen cleanliness.

Skills

Large-scale cooking

Food safety standards

Personal hygiene

Punctuality

Education

Trade qualification

Job description

Department of Health
Hospitals & Primary Care - Hospitals NW
Mersey Community Hospital

Applications must be submitted by Sunday 27 September, 2026 11:55 PM

Sunday 27 September, 2026 11:55 PM AEST

Award/Classification:

Health and Human Services (Tasmanian State Service) Award, General Stream, Band 3

$76,849 to $82,996 per annum

Employment type:

Fixed-term, casual

Region:

North West

Location:

Mersey Community Hospital

Be part of a dedicated hospital food services team providing nutritious meals that contribute to patient wellbeing. Working on a casual roster, you'll prepare and cook meals, including special dietary requirements, while upholding high standards of food safety and kitchen operations

The Team

Mersey Community Hospital located in Latrobe, is a key healthcare provider for the NW Tasmania community, delivering a broad range of services with a strong focus on patient‑centred care. Within this environment, the Food Services Department plays a vital role in supporting the wellbeing and recovery of patients by ensuring high‑quality, safe, and nutritious meals are prepared and delivered daily. As part of this team, Cooks contribute to the smooth and efficient operation of hospital food services through meal preparation,

The Team

Mersey Community Hospital located in Latrobe, is a key healthcare provider for the NW Tasmania community, delivering a broad range of services with a strong focus on patient‑centred care. Within this environment, the Food Services Department plays a vital role in supporting the wellbeing and recovery of patients by ensuring high‑quality, safe, and nutritious meals are prepared and delivered daily. As part of this team, Cooks contribute to the smooth and efficient operation of hospital food services through meal preparation, including special dietary requirements, while maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene, WH&S, and kitchen cleanliness. Together, our services focus on delivering excellence in care for our consumers, supporting our workforce, and strengthening the health of the Tasmanian community.

The Role

This role of Cook is located at Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe, close to Devonport andis responsible for the efficient production and delivery of daily food requirements for patients, residents, day activity clients, staff and community clients in accordance with Food Safety standards.

Working on a casual basis, the role responds to service demands, which involves rotating shift work year‑round (365 days), including early morning and afternoon. The roster spans weekdays, weekends, and public holidays, ensuring essential services are maintained at all times.

With supervision and direction provided by the relevant Supervisor/Manager, the Cook is responsible for:

• Undertaking the preparation, cooking and chilling of all meals, including special dietary requirements (texture-modified diets, fluid-modified diets, religious diets and allergy specific diets), in accordance with standard recipes
• Assist with receiving food, beverages, kitchen supplies and other deliveries
• Checking deliveries against orders, including quantities, quality, condition and expiry/use by dates
• Completing stocktake and maintaining accurate inventory records
• Assist with cleaning of equipment and the workspaces within the kitchen facility
• Maintain a high standard of food, personal hygiene and Work Health and Safety (WH&S) in accordance with the relevant codes of practice and legislation
• Become familiar with and strictly adhere to the department’s Food Safety Plan, including completing documentation relating to the plan
• The incumbent can expect to be allocated duties, not specifically mentioned in statement of duties document, that are within the capacity, qualifications and experience normally expected from persons occupying positions at this classification level

You will need

• Thorough knowledge and experience in large-scale food preparation, production and cooking operations, including a demonstrated knowledge and the ability to comply with Food Safety Standards.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and understand the importance of a high standard of personal cleanliness, hygiene and punctuality.
• To be successful in this role, you will possess a relevant trade qualification and demonstrate a commitment to food safety, quality service delivery, and maintaining high standards of hygiene and workplace safety.

Note: - Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.

Details of appointment

• Fixed term, casual, shift worker position working as and when required, commencing as soon as possible until 31 January 2028.

*Notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary

$76,849 to $82,996 per annum (Pro rata). Our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

• Salary range is in accordance with Public Sector Union Wages Agreement 2025

Benefits available to eligible candidates

• Professional development and accelerated pathways.
• A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
• Fitness Passport – You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family.

More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Eligibility

Successful applicants will be required to meet the essential criteria.

• Relevant Trade Qualification

Note: - Please refer to the Application Guide for more information of pre-employment check.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.

Statement of Duties:

• Cook (North West) Band 3 (July 2023) CSU

Application Guide:

• Applicant Guide.docx

For more information

Applicants who require further information are encouraged to contact the Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy.

Name:Kellie Gore
Position:Food Services Supervisor
Phone number: [phone]
Email address:[e-mail]

What it is like working at the Department of Health?

Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania!

Move to Tasmania | Tasmanian

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Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian

Department of Health has achieved the “Carer Accredited Employer Status” providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023).

Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.

Health and Human Services (Tasmanian State Service) Award, General Stream, Band 3

$76,849 to $82,996 per annum

Employment type:

Fixed-term, casual

Region:

North West

Location:

Mersey Community Hospital

Be part of a dedicated hospital food services team providing nutritious meals that contribute to patient wellbeing. Working on a casual roster, you'll prepare and cook meals, including special dietary requirements, while upholding high standards of food safety and kitchen operations

Health and Human Services (Tasmanian State Service) Award, General Stream, Band 3

$76,849 to $82,996 per annum

Employment type:

Fixed-term, casual

Region:

North West

Location:

Mersey Community Hospital

Be part of a dedicated hospital food services team providing nutritious meals that contribute to patient wellbeing. Working on a casual roster, you'll prepare and cook meals, including special dietary requirements, while upholding high standards of food safety and kitchen operations