Centre Cook – Early Learning Victoria – Portland South
Salary: $53,865 – $71,189
Early Learning Victoria is establishing a government‑owned early learning and childcare centre at Portland South Primary School. Opening in 2026, this 57‑place centre will provide long day care and Three and Four‑Year‑Old Kindergarten, eventually transitioning to include Pre‑Prep. The centre will open in 2026 at Portland South Primary School in Portland South, Victoria.
Role Purpose
The Centre Cook will be responsible for planning and preparing a nutritious rotating menu for all children at the service in line with Early Learning Victoria's (ELV) Eating and Drinking: Health Nutrition and Food Safety Policy. They will ensure that food prepared meets specific dietary requirements and is culturally appropriate to the local community. This role will also manage the timely ordering of food supplies and stock management to meet budget requirements.
Capabilities
* Nutrition, Food Handling and Hygiene: Plan and prepare nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, ensuring dietary and cultural requirements are met, maintain a safe and clean environment in accordance with the Food Safety Act and ELV Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Policy, keep kitchen and equipment in working order, and raise concerns to centre leadership when required.
* Administration: Plan, reflect on and modify menus as required, change set menus seasonally, order food supplies timely, manage stock to meet budget, and keep the Food Safety Program updated.
* Organisational Skills:
o Time management: Use advanced time‑management skills to ensure meal organisation, preparation and delivery is within expected time frames to meet children's needs. Problem‑solving: Apply organisational skills to complete administrative tasks, maintain accurate records, and ensure food prepared is within budget.
* Compliance and Child Safety: Implement ELV policies on Health Nutrition and Food safety, meet individual dietary requirements, support centre management on allergies/intolerance and culturally diverse needs, adhere to Child Safe Standards and the ELV Protect Children Policy, and seek guidance when unclear.
* Communication: Use effective communication skills to develop and maintain relationships with staff, families and children, foster a supportive centre environment, promote respectful relationships and conflict resolution, and contribute to a positive learning culture through reflection and continuous improvement.
* Personal Attributes:
o Flexibility and adaptability: Operate well in a flexible and changing environment, manage workload efficiently and demonstrate initiative when unsure.
o Working collaboratively: Support a culture of collaboration within the centre and build effective relationships with stakeholders and the community.
Selection Criteria
Criteria 1 – Demonstrate the Nutrition, Food Handling and Hygiene role requirements.
Criteria 2 – Personal Attributes – see the Capabilities section above.
Criteria 3 – Child safety and Compliance – see the Capabilities section above.
Criteria 4 – Organisational Skills – see the Capabilities section above.
Diversity and Inclusion
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces.
Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child‑safe environments. All staff are committed to protecting children from abuse or harm, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at
DE Values
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights.
Conditions of Employment
Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max two pages) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role. In your cover letter, please respond directly to the key selection criteria.
Applications will be reviewed only after the job ad close date.
Please contact Emma Carr at *********@education.vic.gov.au for more information about the role.
Application Close Date
Applications close 11:59 pm on Sunday 21 December 2025.
Who May Apply
Experience that will be required
* Demonstrated experience as a Cook or Chef providing high‑volume nutritious meals in a timely manner.
* Sound understanding of the Food Safety Act.
* Effective communication and relationship‑building skills with staff, children, families and communities.
Specific skills/qualifications required
* A certificate in Food Handling.
* Food Safety Supervisor certificate.
* Valid Employee Working with Children Check.
* Willingness to consent to a Police Check.
* International Police Check if resided outside Australia for 12 months or more during the last 10 years.
* First Aid, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications (or willingness to obtain).
* Protecting Children – Mandatory Reporting online learning (or willingness to obtain).
About Early Learning Victoria
The Victorian Government is establishing 50 government‑owned and operated early learning centres by 2032 as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The centres offer childcare, Three and Four‑Year‑Old Kindergarten and Pre‑Prep. They provide high‑quality, accessible and inclusive early childhood education and care that is child‑centred, focused on learning through play and in nature, with strong connections to local communities.
Early Learning Victoria is part of the Victorian Department of Education. The ELV central team is leading the roll‑out of the 50 centres and supports and oversees four recently opened centres.
Early Learning Victoria is committed to Child Safety and the safeguarding of children from harm.
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