Food Service Assistant

Department of Health, Tasmania; Latrobe; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe, Tasmania, is seeking a Food Service Assistant to support food preparation, plating, delivery and cleaning duties in hospital catering services for patients, visitors and staff.

The role involves rotating shifts (early morning and afternoon) with supervision, ensuring meals meet dietary requirements and maintaining hygiene standards to support patient care and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate with patients, visitors and staff, of all levels.
• Oral and written understanding of the English language.
• Capable of maintaining a high standard of personal hygiene.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation, production, plating and delivery of meals.
• Perform ware washing and cleaning tasks in the hospital kitchen.
• Support meal distribution and adherence to dietary requirements for patients, visitors and staff.
• Rotate shift work year-round (365 days) including early morning and afternoon shifts.
• Ensure correct meals reach patients and staff, and return equipment promptly and efficiently.

Skills

Communication

English language

Hygiene

Job description

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

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 18 November, 2026 11:55 PM

Award/Classification:

Health and Human Services (Tasmanian State Service) Award, General Stream, Operational Health Officer, Level 1

$59,668 to $65,185 pro rata, per annum

Employment type:

Permanent, part-time

Region:

North West

Location:

Mersey Community Hospital

Assist with the food preparation, production, plating service, warewashing and cleaning duties in the provision of catering services to patients, visitors and staff of the hospital.

The Team

Mersey Community Hospital is a modern facility located in Latrobe, Tasmania, providing community based and subacute health care services.

Join our team, working as a Food Service Assistant within the Corporate Services Department. 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, Food Service Assistants contribute to the smooth and efficient operation of hospital food services through meal preparation, tray assembly, distribution, and maintaining strict hygiene and safety standards. Working closely with clinical, hospitality, and support teams, Food Service Assistants help ensure every patient receives the right meal at the right time, aligning with dietary requirements and promoting positive health outcomes.

The Role

Assist in the preparation, production, plating and delivery of meals, as well as undertaking ware washing and cleaning tasks, to support the provision of high‑quality catering services for patients, visitors, and staff within the hospital.

This role involves rotating shift work year‑round (365 days), including early morning and afternoon shifts. The roster spans weekdays, weekends, and public holidays, ensuring essential services are maintained at all times.

With routine supervision and direction provided by the relevant Supervisor the Food Service Assistant is responsible for:

• Ensuring patients, visitors, and staff receive their correct meal and that all food service equipment is returned from wards promptly and efficiently
• Assist in maintaining a high standard of food preparation, production, service, meal distribution, ware washing and cleaning of the hospital service areas at all times and in accordance with the relevant codes of practice
• Perform receipt and storage duties associated with food supplies
• Perform general food preparation, service, menu related and EFTPOS handling duties
• Prepare vegetables, salads, diet requirements, including fluids, sandwiches, and assist in the serving of food, in accordance with appropriate Work Health and Safety (WH&S) standards
• Cleaning of all kitchen equipment, utensils, floors, and walls as directed by relevant supervisors

You will need

• Ability to communicate with patients, visitors and staff, of all levels.
• Oral and written understanding of the English language.
• Capable of maintaining a high standard of personal hygiene.

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

Details of appointment

• Permanent, part time, shift worker position, working 40 hours per fortnight (0.53FTE), commencing as soon as you can join us. There may beopportunity to work additional shifts beyond the contracted hours (40 hours a fortnight), should you wish to do so and provided additional shifts are available. *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.

$59,668 to $65,185 per annum (Pro rata). Our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

• Salary range is in accordance withPublic Sector Union Wages Agreement 2025

Salary Packaging

You’ll have access to salary package a range of benefits including living expenses up to $9,010 + $2,650 in meal entertainment each FBT year + other benefits if eligible .

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

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.

For more information

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

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!

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.

Agency:

Department of Health

Award:

Health and Human Services (Tasmanian State Service) Award, General Stream, Operational Health Officer, Level 1

$59,668 to $65,185 pro rata, per annum

Employment type:

Permanent, part-time

Region:

North West

Location:

Mersey Community Hospital

Assist with the food preparation, production, plating service, warewashing and cleaning duties in the provision of catering services to patients, visitors and staff of the hospital.

Agency:

Department of Health

Award:

Health and Human Services (Tasmanian State Service) Award, General Stream, Operational Health Officer, Level 1

$59,668 to $65,185 pro rata, per annum

Employment type:

Permanent, part-time

Region:

North West

Location:

Mersey Community Hospital

Assist with the food preparation, production, plating service, warewashing and cleaning duties in the provision of catering services to patients, visitors, and staff