Steward

Job Details

Job Title: Steward

Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 1

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 25 April 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 Steward 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 an upcoming and experienced Steward 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 stewarding and supporting food service operations across various sections within a commercial kitchen or event venue. Ideally, you have worked in multi-faceted environments, assisting with the setup and breakdown of events, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, and ensuring supplies and equipment are well organised. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to teamwork, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for delivering excellent service to clients and guests at 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: 

• 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 1 

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. As a member of the APH Catering and Events Team, support the delivery of food, beverage and catering services across APH by providing effective stewarding and cleaning support to kitchens, outlets and event operations.
   
   
2. Perform stewarding duties across multiple catering environments, including retail cafés, coffee shops, restaurants and function or event spaces, supporting high-volume service periods and large-scale catering activities as required.
   
   
3. Maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of kitchens and back-of-house areas, including washing dishes and kitchen equipment, cleaning floors and work surfaces, managing waste, and ensuring equipment is cleaned, stored and handled appropriately.
   
   
4. Safely operate and maintain cleaning equipment and tools, including commercial dishwashers, floor scrubbers and cleaning chemicals, in accordance with established procedures and safety requirements.
   
   
5. Assist in ensuring kitchens, equipment and work practices comply with food safety, hygiene and Workplace Health and Safety requirements, following established HACCP-based procedures and reporting issues to the Chief Steward or supervisors as required.
   
   
6. Support routine checks and basic monitoring of equipment, utensils and storage areas, including counting and storing kitchen equipment and maintaining orderly, functional workspaces.
   
   
7. Plan and prioritise allocated tasks to meet operational timeframes and service requirements, contributing to the efficient running of kitchen and catering operations.
   
   
8. Work cooperatively with the Chief Steward, chefs and colleagues to maintain kitchens and back-of-house areas at a high operational standard.
   
   
9. Participate and contribute to the Service First Culture as a motivated team player who is respectful and ethical.
   
   
10. Other duties 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.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience undertaking stewarding duties in a commercial kitchen, catering, hospitality or food service environment, including tasks such as washing dishes and kitchen equipment, cleaning floors and work areas, handling waste, and maintaining general kitchen cleanliness.
   
   
2. Demonstrated ability to safely use cleaning equipment and tools, such as dishwashers, floor scrubbers and cleaning chemicals, and to follow established procedures, instructions and schedules to ensure kitchens and back-of-house areas are maintained to required hygiene and safety standards.
   
   
3. Demonstrated attention to detail and reliability in completing cleaning tasks thoroughly, including counting, storing and maintaining kitchen equipment, cleaning exhaust hoods and hard-to-reach areas, and ensuring work areas are left clean, organised and ready for service.
   
   
4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team in a busy operational environment, follow direction from supervisors and chefs, communicate clearly with colleagues, and contribute positively to supporting kitchen and service operations.
   
   
5. Demonstrated capacity to undertake physically demanding work, including prolonged standing, lifting, bending, pushing and pulling, with the reliability and flexibility to work across a roster, including early starts, evenings, weekends and overtime as required.
   
   
6. Well‑developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a diverse catering team, follow direction from supervisors, support chefs and colleagues as required, and adapt to changing priorities, rosters and operational needs, including overtime and physical duties. 

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 $55,131 - $69,910 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.