Assistant Chef de Cuisine

Job Details

Job Title: Assistant Chef de Cuisine

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 4

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 7 May 2026

Contact: David Learmonth, (02) 6277 3910, david.learmonth@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

Work at an award-winning tourism venue and enjoy free parking, free gym membership and a competitive salary.

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is seeking customer focused, passionate and hardworking individuals to fill the Assistant Chef de Cuisine role within APH Catering and Events.

The APH Catering and Events team delivers an in-house food and beverage operation across Parliament House. The team prides itself on providing premium catering and event services to building occupants ranging from small private dining rooms to large spaces such as the Great Hall. There are also several cafes and restaurants, including a public café, staff dining room, private dining areas, coffee venues, in-room dining and corporate catering.

The APH Catering and Events team is growing, and we are looking for upcoming and experienced Assistant Chef de Cuisine to join our mission. Our work is important and ensures those who work in Australian Parliament House have convenient access to exceptional food, coffee, and event services.

Who we are looking for

The successful applicant will have professional experience in the delivery of food services/catering in various sections within a commercial kitchen, ideally in a multi-faceted venue and, preferably within high quality and high-capacity venues. The ideal candidate will possess the necessary skills and qualities to deliver exceptional catering outcomes for DPS.

If you believe that you are a good fit for DPS and have the requisite skills and aptitude to contribute to the delivery of exceptional services and experiences, we want to hear from you.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• Evidence of successful completion of a trade qualification in pastry and baking.
• A minimum of 5 years' hands-on experience as a qualified pastry chef, with at least 2 years’ experience as a lead pastry chef.
• Expertise in catering, banqueting, a la carte, bistro, and/or café operations highly desirable.
• The occupant of this position must be willing to work according to a roster and work overtime if required. Overtime and penalty rates apply.
• The occupant of this position may be required to always wear a uniform as directed and present in a professional manner when on duty.
• This position requires duties that are physical in nature – moving stock, bending, lifting, pushing and pulling.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.

Duty Statement

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 4 

Branch: Commercial Operations 

Section: APH Catering 

Immediate supervisor: Executive Chef

Duty Statement

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the specified classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Assist with the delivery of food, beverage, and catering services through an in-house service delivery model ensuring a high standard of food and service across all a wide range of stakeholders including building occupants, other parliamentary departments, vendors, function organisers and the public.
   
   
2. Provide high quality service in the preparation and production within all sections to meet appropriate standards by the application of specialist pastry and baking knowledge and techniques to meet the requirements of customers.
   
   
3. Supervise, motivate, and train kitchen staff in a complex and diverse environment. Implement standardised workflows to enhance efficiency.
   
   
4. Maintain a contemporary knowledge of food industry trends. Recommend and implement improvements to enhance all aspects of food production, presentation, and service.
   
   
5. In collaboration with the Executive Chef, develop, plan, cost, order, prepare, and review pastry and banqueting menus and culinary activations. Accommodate dietary requirements and provide detailed menu breakdowns and reporting to leadership.
   
   
6. Relationship and supply chain management – Maintain and develop effective relationships with various internal clients including parliamentarians and building occupants, as well as external stakeholders including public guests and suppliers.
   
   
7. In consultation with Executive chef, meet deadlines by planning and prioritising work to ensure timely service delivery to ensure the needs of all internal and external stakeholders for Parliament are met.
   
   
8. Ensure compliance with all relevant WHS and food safety standards (HACCP).
   
   
9. Other duties as required to support the catering operations. 

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience in delivering high-quality pastry and baking services in a diverse and high profile environment, with a proven ability to apply specialist pastry and baking knowledge and techniques to meet customer requirements.
   
   
2. Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise, motivate, and train kitchen staff in a complex and diverse environment. Experience in implementing standardised workflows to enhance efficiency.
   
   
3. Proven experience in creating, planning, costing, ordering, preparing, and evaluating menus, with a focus on accommodating dietary requirements, and the capability to provide comprehensive menu breakdowns.
   
   
4. Proven ability to plan and prioritise work to meet deadlines and ensure timely service delivery.
   
   
5. Strong relationship management skills with the ability to maintain and develop effective relationships with internal clients, external stakeholders, and suppliers.
   
   
6. Exhibit moderate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office and clerical tasks, showcasing the ability to efficiently manage administrative responsibilities in a dynamic culinary setting. 

How to apply

Please upload a pitch (750 words maximum) describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the role and work of the department. 

Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you want to work at DPS, why you are interested in the role and what you can offer in the role. Frame your pitch around the role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role. 

For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the the DPS Recruitment Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.

Our purpose and values

We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.  

Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace. 

Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.

What we can offer

Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:  

• flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational needs of the roles
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
• a competitive remuneration package
• free on-site parking
• free gym membership and access to recreational facilities available a APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for this position is $83,415 - $90,639 per annum.

Conditions of Employment

Employment opportunities at the department are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

• Australian citizenship: Section 22 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 requires that employees of the Parliamentary Service are generally required to be Australian citizens. However, if you are not an Australian citizen you may be considered for engagement on the condition that you are able to gain Australian Citizenship within a specified time. Failure to obtain citizenship within the timeframe could lead to termination of employment.
  
  
• Loss and resumption of Australian citizenship: Under historical provisions of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 (section 17), some Australian citizens automatically lost their citizenship if they voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country between 26 January 1949 and 3 April 2002. This loss occurred by operation of law and may not have been known to the individual at the time. Although these provisions were repealed in 2002 to allow dual citizenship, the repeal did not restore citizenship that was previously lost. Individuals who believe they may be affected are recommended to seek advice about resuming their Australian citizenship. Further information, is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
• Applicants who progress to the offer stage with our department who have been affected by the loss of citizenship as outlined above will be required to demonstrate within a reasonable time that they have resumed, or are actively undertaking the process to resume, Australian citizenship.
  
  
• Security clearance and character clearance: the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
  
  
• Health assessment: a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.
  
  
• External Work Approval: Employees must seek approval for any paid employment outside the department and declare voluntary activities that could impact their role.