Food Services Assistant - Ascott Gardens

UPA External; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible shifts

Competitive casual rates with loadings

Holiday/extra shifts availability

UPA induction and training

Wellbeing support

Opportunities for permanent roles

Job summary

UPA of NSW is seeking casual Food Services Assistants to support our residential aged-care homes across Ascott Garden during Christmas, New Year and beyond.

You'll help ensure safe, smooth and enjoyable meal service, from dining room prep to plating and serving, while following food-safety standards and engaging respectfully with residents. This casual role offers flexible shifts, competitive rates with loadings, and potential pathways to permanent positions.

Qualifications

• Casual employment requiring Australian working rights.
• Experience in hospitality or food service desirable.
• Able to work across variable shifts.

Responsibilities

• Preparing dining rooms and meal-service areas.
• Plating, serving and clearing meals.
• Assisting with basic food preparation.
• Washing dishes and keeping kitchen areas clean.
• Following food-safety, hygiene and infection-control requirements.
• Supporting cooks and other members of the food-services team.
• Taking the time to engage respectfully with our residents.

Job description

Location: Ascott Garden

Good food matters. So does the person serving it.

At UPA, mealtimes are more than another task on the roster. They’re a chance for residents to enjoy good food, have a chat and feel at home.

We’re building a casual pool of Food Services Assistants to support our residential aged-care homes across Ascott Garden throughout Christmas, New Year and beyond.

If you’re looking for extra shifts, flexible work around your other commitments or a possible pathway into permanent employment, this could be a great fit.

WHY THIS CASUAL ROLE IS DIFFERENT

These are direct UPA employment opportunities not agency placements. You won’t just be another name filling a shift, you’ll be a UPA employee and part of the team from day one.

You’ll receive a proper UPA induction, ongoing workplace support and the chance to work with familiar residents, teams and homes rather than starting from scratch every shift.

It’s the flexibility of casual work, with real connection and support, and the potential to move into ongoing or permanent employment when opportunities become available.

You’ll receive:

• Flexible shifts matched to your availability where possible
• Competitive casual rates, including applicable loadings and penalty rates
• Opportunities for additional work over Christmas, New Year and beyond
• Proper UPA induction, training and workplace support
• The chance to work with familiar residents, employees and homes
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing support
• The opportunity to be considered for permanent roles when suitable vacancies become available

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

You’ll help make every meal service safe, smooth and enjoyable by:

• Preparing dining rooms and meal-service areas
• Plating, serving and clearing meals
• Assisting with basic food preparation
• Washing dishes and keeping kitchen areas clean
• Following food-safety, hygiene and infection-control requirements
• Supporting cooks and other members of the food‑services team
• Taking the time to engage respectfully with our residents

YOU’LL BE A GOOD FIT IF YOU:

• Are reliable, friendly and comfortable working with older people
• Can work safely and efficiently in a busy environment
• Understand the importance of food safety, hygiene and teamwork
• Have good communication skills and a positive attitude
• Hold current Australian working rights
• Can work across a range of days and shift times

Experience in hospitality, food service, catering or a commercial kitchen would be helpful. Previous aged‑care experience and a Food Safety or Food Handling Certificate are desirable but not essential.

ABOUT UPA

UPA of NSW is a values-driven, not-for-profit organisation providing residential aged care, home care and retirement living services throughout NSW.

Our focus is simple: ensuring our residents always have “our people by their side”.

BEFORE YOU START

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of UPA’s required pre-employment checks, which may include:

• National Criminal History Check
• Pre‑employment medical assessment
• Evidence of vaccinations required under UPA policy
• Verification of Australian working rights and relevant qualifications

As this is casual employment, shifts will depend on operational requirements and your availability.

UPA welcomes applications from people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, veterans, refugees and people with disability.

If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please let us know in your application.

Advertised: 18 Sep 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 18 Oct 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time