PSL2 Chef

Job Details

Job Title: PSL2 Chef

Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 2

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEST, 20 November 2026

Contact: David Learmonth, 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 a qualified, passionate and motivated Parliamentary Services Level 2 (PSL2) Chef to join APH Catering and Events at Australian Parliament House.

APH Catering and Events delivers a diverse in-house food and beverage operation across cafés, retail outlets, functions, events and banqueting. From everyday dining and café services through to functions and major events, our team is committed to delivering consistently high-quality food and service.

As a Chef, you will work across a varied and fast-paced commercial kitchen environment, preparing, producing and presenting high-quality food using contemporary cookery techniques. You will contribute to production and service delivery, assist with stock rotation and waste minimisation, and maintain high standards of food safety and WHS compliance.  

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a qualified Chef with commercial kitchen experience, preferably gained in high-volume catering, banqueting, functions, events, hospitality or similar large-scale food service operations.

The successful candidate will:

• Consistently produce and present quality food in a fast-paced environment.
• Have experience working within HACCP food safety requirements.
• Demonstrate strong organisation and time management skills, with the ability to meet production and service deadlines.
• Work effectively as part of a team and contribute to a respectful, customer-focused workplace.
• Bring contemporary cookery knowledge and an interest in food trends, presentation and continuous improvement.
• Hold a trade qualification in commercial cookery.

If you are passionate about food, enjoy working in a diverse hospitality environment and want to contribute to the delivery of exceptional food and service at Australian Parliament House, we want to hear from you.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• Evidence of a successful track record and a trade qualification in commercial cookery.
• Demonstrated experience working in a commercial kitchen environment, preferably within high-volume catering, banqueting, events, hospitality or similar large-scale food service operations.
• 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 2 

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 across cafés, retail outlets, functions, events and banqueting operations at APH, ensuring a consistent high standard of food and service.
2. Prepare, produce and present food to required quality, presentation and service standards through the application of contemporary cookery techniques and specialist catering knowledge.
3. Participate and contribute to the Service First Culture as a motivated team player who is respectful and ethical.
4. Plan and prioritise work activities to meet production schedules, service deadlines and changing operational requirements.
5. Maintain a contemporary knowledge of food industry trends, cookery techniques and presentation standards, and contribute ideas to support continuous improvement in food production and service delivery.
6. Assist with stock rotation, storage and waste minimisation practices in accordance with operational and food safety requirements.
7. Ensure compliance with all relevant WHS and food safety standards (HACCP).
8. Other duties as required.

Selection Criteria 

1. Demonstrated experience as a qualified chef, with exposure to high-volume catering, banqueting, functions, events, café or restaurant operations and the ability to consistently produce quality food in a fast-paced environment.
2. Demonstrated experience working within HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certified venues, with the ability to maintain high standards of compliance and safe food handling practices.
3. Demonstrated organisational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritise tasks, adapt to changing operational requirements and meet service deadlines.
4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team, follow direction and contribute positively to a respectful and customer-focused workplace culture.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary cookery techniques, food presentation standards and industry trends, with a willingness to learn and contribute ideas for continuous improvement.
6. Basic computer literacy and the ability to use workplace systems, complete records and undertake routine administrative tasks as required.

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.

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 your application, please refer to 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 at 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 $71,310 to $76,554 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.