Cooking Assistant

Box Hill Institute, ABN 76 268 630 462; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 45,000 - 62,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

On-site parking

Career progression and recognition

Health and wellbeing supports

Financial perks

Staff discounts

Job summary

Box Hill Institute is seeking a Casual Cooking Assistant to help deliver practical cooking classes within our Short Courses area in Melbourne. You will prepare ingredients, set up the kitchen and assist tutors to ensure engaging learning experiences for students and participants.

The role is casual with an hourly rate of $38.84 AUD, plus 12% superannuation and overtime for weekend work. Availability for Saturday classes is required.

Qualifications

• Completion of Year 12 and demonstrated relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.
• Experience in hospitality, food preparation or a related environment is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and set up ingredients, utensils, cookware and equipment for cooking classes.
• Assist tutors during cooking demonstrations and practical class activities.
• Transport and organise food, equipment and supplies for classes.
• Maintain clean, safe and organised kitchen and learning environments.
• Assist with the pack‑up, cleaning and storage of equipment following classes.
• Respond to routine enquiries from students and provide general assistance during classes.
• Work collaboratively with tutors, students and colleagues to support a positive learning experience.
• Follow food safety, workplace health and safety, and organisational procedures at all times.

Skills

Food prep assistance

Cooking activities

Kitchen operations

Food safety knowledge

Food handling

Workplace safety

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Flexibility

Child safety

Working with Children Check

National Police Check

Education

Year 12 completion

Relevant experience

Hospitality experience

Job description

Contract

22h ago , from Box Hill Institute, ABN 76 268 630 462

Love cooking? Help bring our cooking classes to life.

Box Hill Institute | Casual Opportunity

Love cooking and enjoy helping others learn? Join our Short Courses team as a Cooking Assistant and play a hands‑on role in supporting community cooking programs. You'll help create a safe, organised and welcoming kitchen environment by preparing ingredients, setting up classes and assisting tutors to deliver engaging cooking experiences for students and participants.

This is a casual opportunity. Salary is $38.84 per hour (over-time rates apply for weekends), plus 12% superannuation.

This role requires availability to support scheduled Saturday classes.

Why work with us?

At Box Hill Institute, we offer more than just a job - we offer a supportive and rewarding work environment where your wellbeing, growth and achievements are celebrated. Our benefits are designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally:

• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
• On-site parking for added convenience
• Career progression opportunities and reward & recognition programs to celebrate your success
• Health and wellbeing supports and resources, including FREE flu-vaccinations, FREE skin checks, FREE health checks and corporate health insurance discounts
• Financial perks like novated leasing and salary packaging
• Exclusive staff discounts on CAE/Box Hill Institute short courses for staff and their immediate family as well as discounted access to our on-campus retail services such as floristry, day spa and beauty salons, hairdressing salon, barbershop, restaurant, vet & dog grooming - all delivered by students in training, under the supervision of their teacher

About the role

As a Cooking Assistant, you'll provide practical support to the delivery of cooking classes and food-based learning activities within our Short Courses area. Working under the guidance of the Program Manager and tutors, you'll assist with class preparation, kitchen organisation and general support to ensure classes run smoothly and efficiently.

This is a hands‑on role suited to someone who enjoys working in a fast‑paced kitchen environment, takes pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety, and enjoys supporting others to learn and participate.

What you'll do:

• Prepare and set up ingredients, utensils, cookware and equipment for cooking classes.
• Assist tutors during cooking demonstrations and practical class activities.
• Transport and organise food, equipment and supplies for classes.
• Maintain clean, safe and organised kitchen and learning environments.
• Assist with the pack‑up, cleaning and storage of equipment following classes.
• Respond to routine enquiries from students and provide general assistance during classes.
• Work collaboratively with tutors, students and colleagues to support a positive learning experience.
• Follow food safety, workplace health and safety, and organisational procedures at all times.

About You:

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

Qualifications:

• Completion of Year 12 and demonstrated relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.
• Experience in hospitality, food preparation or a related environment is highly regarded.

Skills & Experience:

• Experience assisting with food preparation, cooking activities and kitchen operations.
• Knowledge of food handling, food safety and workplace health and safety practices.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage routine tasks efficiently.
• Well‑developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative approach and ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Ability to identify and resolve routine issues and seek guidance when required.
• Flexibility to support a variety of cooking programs and class requirements.
• Alignment with a child‑safe, inclusive and values‑based workplace
• Have, or be willing to obtain, Victorian Working with Children Check and National Police Check clearance.

About us:

For over 100 years, we've been changing lives for the better, continuing to make this world a better place for all. By providing people with opportunities to expand their knowledge, experience and understanding of the world, we empower them to change their lives.

Our students can pursue everything - non‑accredited short courses through the Centre for Adult Education (CAE); senior secondary qualifications including the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM); vocational certificates (including pre‑apprenticeships, apprenticeships and traineeships) and diplomas; and higher education degrees and a graduate certificate.

We are committed to a highly motivated and aligned workforce, so we'll be by your side to enable you, help you grow and offer you benefits which enhance your work‑life balance.

Commitment to child safety

Box Hill Institute is a Child Safe Organisation and has a zero tolerance towards the harm or abuse of children and young people.

We believe that child safety is everyone's responsibility. All employees, volunteers, contractors and service providers are required to promote a culture of child safety, comply with the Child Safe Standards and other relevant legislation and reporting obligations of suspected child abuse as per the Institute's Child Safety Policy and Procedures.

All employees are required to hold and maintain a current, valid Working with Children Check for the duration of their employment at their own expense.

Candidates for employment at Box Hill Institute will be subject to pre‑employment probity checks, and must satisfy Box Hill Institute's pre-conditions for employment.

Box Hill Institute reserves the right to withdraw an advertised position at any stage.

We are a 2026 Circle Back Initiative Employer - we commit to respond to every applicant.

Box Hill Institute is a welcoming, safe and respectful work environment. We are work‑life friendly and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our vacancies.

For specific enquiries relating to this position, please contact Emily Hardidge, Program Manager - Short Courses at **************@boxhill.edu.au