Food Services Assistant (Casual)

• Location: Altona


• Employment Type: Casual


• Salary: FSA Grade 1/2 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

An exciting opportunity exists for a Food Service Assistant person to join our Health Support Services team at the Western Health Central Production Kitchen in Altona, providing quality and nutritionally balanced meals to hospital and council delivered meals program. The position is a casual position.

Reporting to the Team Leader, the successful applicant will be part of a dynamic team contributing to the achievement of the effective production and delivery of meals from the Central Food Production Kitchen to its customers.

The Food Service Assistant may be assigned to any of the sections listed below based on the skill set of the person.

We are currently looking for a team member to work primarily in the Dispatch area of our operations.

Key responsibilities:

The role of the Food Service Assistant is to assist the team members in the section, and follow the directions of the Team Leader by carrying out the tasks as detailed below:

Receivals:

Staff are responsible for receiving goods delivered on Pallets. Checking products for Use By dates, Quality, Quantity and Temperature. Unstacking pallets of raw material onto dry store shelving, or store in the chiller/freezer as required. Filling out log records and all QA paperwork as required.

Fragilization:

Staff are responsible for decanting, weighing, and marinating of ingredients based on a specific recipe, following proper food handling processes.

Transformation:

Staff are responsible for cooking dishes to a specific recipe, portioning cooked food into trays, and individual meal containers, and preparing vitamized dishes for customers on special dietary requirements while following proper food handling processes.

Assembly:

Staff are responsible for the portioning and packaging of individual meal trays on the assembly line and packaging soup pouches and individual meals into crates, and cradles.

Cleaning:

Staff are responsible for cleaning of cradles, trays and other kitchen equipment using a dishwasher and a sink. Repetitive scrubbing of soiled trays and tubs is required.

Dispatch:

Staff are responsible for picking, sortation, and distribution of finished meals to customers.

About you:

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Be available to work from Monday – Friday between 6:30am and 5:00pm.


• Be able to work both independently and in a team.


• Be willing to work in Cold Areas (PPE provided) to pack and stack meals.


• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Demonstrate a positive proactive attitude and be self-driven.


• Be able to work under pressure and readily adapt to change.


• Have relevant kitchen/manufacturing experience in pick packing, portioning on Assembly Line.


• Have attention to detail and adhere to processes in place.


• Have intermediate computer skills.


• Have own transport, as Public Transport is not easily accessible.


• Forklift licence preferable.

Position Description

About Western Health 

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs. 

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.  

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.  

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges. 

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall. 

Why join us? 

Compensation and benefits 

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards. 

• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements. 

• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey. 

Learning and development opportunities 

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways. 

• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education. 

• Mentorship and career support. 

Community impact and inclusion 

• Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care. 

• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion. 

• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research. 

Organisational culture and environment 

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment. 

• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare. 

Ready to make an impact? 

If you’re passionate about the delivery of quality food services in a healthcare setting, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts. 

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.  

Closing date: 11:59pm on 14 February 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Craig Menezes via [email protected] or (03) 9368 5900 (9am to 3pm).

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable). 

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.

Western Health