Food Service Assistant

The Mercy Health Group; Ballarat; Hybrid; AUD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Mercy Place Ballarat is hiring a casual Food Service Assistant to support meal preparation, serving and resident care. This role focuses on safe food handling, hygiene and building a warm dining experience for residents.

You’ll work with kitchen staff to meet dietary needs, maintain cleanliness, and participate in safety training. Weekend and holiday shifts may be required, reflecting the needs of aged care residents.

Qualifications

• Food safety training or certification required by local health regulations.
• Experience in food service or kitchen environment preferred, especially aged care.
• Knowledge of dietary needs and restrictions common in aged care.

Responsibilities

• Meal preparation and serving according to dietary requirements and resident preferences.
• Follow food safety protocols to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination.
• Engage with residents during mealtimes, providing companionship and support.
• Clean and maintain kitchen and dining areas to ensure a tidy environment.
• Assist with dietary needs in collaboration with dietitians.
• Participate in training on food safety regulations and compliance standards.
• Collaborate with chefs and kitchen staff for smooth operations.
• Gather resident feedback on meal quality for continuous improvement.

Skills

Food Handling Certification

Food service experience

Dietary needs knowledge

Communication skills

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Job description

## Food Service AssistantApply: Mercy Place Ballarat: Casual: Posted Today: End Date: October 16, 2026 (29 days left to apply): JR-9542**Employment Type:** Casual **Location:** Mercy Place Ballarat**Upload with application:** Resume, cover letter, and all relevant qualifications**Contact:** Harjot Kaur [e-mail]**All applications need to be submitted online, no emailed applications will be accepted** **Where there’s life, there’s Mercy.****Where there’s care, there’s You.** Through the battles and the breakthroughs, we're there. Where will you be? For over a century, our incredible teams have provided care for people when they need it most. Our people feel great pride in that, and they value the security and stability we offer. But it also means so much opportunity - to build on all that’s gone before, to grow your impact and gain experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. As a for-purpose organisation with over 10,000 dedicated, compassionate people, we continue to offer more services and deeper care than ever before. With Mercy, you’ll have the chance to make an impact and gain experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. **At Mercy Health, it’s all about taking what we have and making it better.****To do that, we need you.****Join us at Mercy Health, and help our teams deliver even greater outcomes.** **About the opportunity**At Mercy Health, each moment, no matter how small, truly matters - and as a Food Service Assistant, you’ll create cherished moments each day. * Meal Preparation: Assists in preparing and serving meals according to dietary requirements and resident preferences.* Food Safety: Follows food safety protocols to ensure hygiene and prevent contamination.* Resident Interaction: Engages with residents during mealtime, providing companionship and support.* Cleaning Duties: Cleans and maintains kitchen and dining areas, ensuring a tidy environment.* Assisting with Dietary Needs: Works with dietitians to accommodate special dietary needs and preferences.* Training and Compliance: Participates in training on food safety regulations and compliance standards.* Collaboration: Works closely with chefs and other kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations.* Feedback Collection: Gathers feedback from residents about meal quality and preferences for improvement. **What you’ll bring**You’re reliable, resilient and have a whole lot of heart. Most importantly, you are genuinely interested in supporting others and making a difference in your community. To thrive in this role, you will have:* Food Handling Certification: Completion of food safety training or certification, often required by local health regulations.* Experience: Previous experience in food service or a kitchen environment, especially in aged care, is beneficial.* Knowledge of Dietary Needs: Understanding of nutritional requirements and dietary restrictions common in aged care.* Communication Skills: Good verbal communication skills to interact effectively with residents and staff.* Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.* Physical Stamina: Capability to perform physical tasks, including lifting, standing for long periods, and moving equipment.* Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail, especially regarding food presentation and safety practices.* Flexibility: Willingness to work varied shifts, including weekends and holidays, as needed. **You will also be required to provide the below:** NDIS clearance OR NDIS application and recent police check **Ready to help us shape the future of healthcare?** Join us and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives - and your career. Are you ready to apply for this role? Click **Apply now** Please contact us if you would like to find out more or communicate any requirements to ensure we provide you with a fair and equitable interview and selection process.