Relief Chef

Southern Cross Care WA is a place where you can have an extraordinary impact, make an extraordinary difference, and be appreciated for extraordinary contributions.  

We hope you will join us and become one of the people who make Southern Cross Care WA an extraordinary place to be. 

About the role and where you will be working: 

This full‑time relief chef position generally operates Monday to Friday, with regular weekend shifts as required. Penalty rates apply for weekend work. 

The role involves travelling between multiple sites within the metropolitan area to provide coverage during periods of leave, including annual leave, sick leave, and other planned or unplanned absences. Occasional travel to remote locations such as Broome and Kalgoorlie may also be required.

In this role, you will lead the kitchen team in providing high‑quality, nutritious, and visually appealing meals for our residents. Your responsibilities will include preparing, cooking, and serving meals that meet a range of dietary requirements including full, soft, fluid, and therapeutic diets while ensuring adherence to our organisational menu and food service budget.

Working closely with our care and hospitality teams, you will contribute to creating a positive, enjoyable, and person‑centred dining experience for all residents.

Your responsibilities will include but not limited to: 

• Preparing, cooking, and serving nutritious meals and beverages in accordance with dietary requirements

• Managing all catering service activities, including directing and organising kitchen staff and supporting meal service staff

• Overseeing stock control, food ordering, receiving, storage, and rotation

• Ensuring all kitchen and service staff comply with safe food handling policies and procedures

• Assisting management in resolving any food service related complaints

About you: 

You bring solid commercial cooking experience and a passion for delivering high-quality meals. You may already be working in aged care, or perhaps you’re considering a move into the sector for a more stable and meaningful career path. Whether your background is in restaurants, hotels, or commercial kitchens, you’re ready for a role where your skills can make a real difference. Once you’ve settled in, you’ll truly appreciate the impact your work has on the daily lives and wellbeing of our residents.

To be considered for this role you’ll need: 

• Cert IV in Commercial Cookery and Food Safety Supervisor certificate

• Valid Drivers License and a reliable car to drive to and from sites 

• Proven experience in a commercial kitchen environment (preferably aged care)

• Strong understanding of dietary requirements, including modified and therapeutic diets

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills

• Ability to lead, mentor, and support a small team

• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach

• A commitment to safe food handling and hygiene standards

• Compassion, patience, and a genuine interest in supporting older Australians

Working with us 

At Southern Cross Care WA, we are committed to being an employer of choice. As well as providing a positive and supportive environment, we also offer the following benefits: 

• Not-for-profit salary packaging options of up to $15,900 for general living expenses and $2,650 for entertainment benefits. 
• Corporate Health Insurance discount
• Free employee assistance program
• A diverse range of services which allows professional development and growth
• Paid Parental Leave
• Annual leave starting at 4 weeks for full time employees.  
• Carers/personal leave 
• Service Awards for long standing employees 
• Flexible working environment  

How to apply:

To express your interest, please apply with an up-to-date resume. A cover letter outlining your experience / suitability is preferred.  

Kindly note, if your application progresses to an interview, we’ll be asking for: 

• National Police Clearance - current within 6 months 
• Immunisation record (flu) for client facing roles  
• A completed pre-employment health questionnaire 
• Proof of work rights  

About us  

Established over 50 years ago, Southern Cross Care WA is a purpose-driven, not-for-profit organisation contributing to social, health and economic development in WA. We do this by enabling the delivery of integrated services in our community for the increasingly complex health, care and accommodation needs of our aging population and those living with mental illness. 

Our dedicated and passionate team of around 1000 employees and 130 volunteers, deliver care and services to over 3000 West Australians across our residential, retirement village, mental health, community housing and home care portfolio. 

Our promise to our clients, residents and each other is to enable extraordinary because we; 

Listen, Act, Do not give up, Work as one. 

Southern Cross Housing Ltd. are part of the Southern Cross Care WA Inc. Group. 

Southern Cross Care WA is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work. 

For more information on the services, we provide visit: scrosswa.org.au