APS 5 Hostel Manager

Join Our Team and Make a Difference

Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) is looking for reliable and motivated Hostel Manager to join our team and help create a safe, clean, and welcoming environment at our Wangkana-Kari Hostel, Tennant Creek, NT. This is a great opportunity to be part of important work that supports First Nations peoples across Australia. If you're looking for a position in a supportive team where your efforts truly matter, we would love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities:

As a Hostel Manager, you'll take on a broader leadership role, overseeing all aspects of hostel operations while building strong relationships with local stakeholders to support First Nations residents during their stay. In addition to ensuring high standards in service delivery, safety, and cleanliness, you'll be responsible for team leadership, performance development, and continuous improvement. Your role will be to ensure hostel occupancy is high and service to residents is exceptional. You will be a hands-on manager, working closely with the small hostel team to provide three meals a day and ensuring the facility is clean, safe and welcoming.

You will ensure compliance with AHL policies and operational guidelines, regularly report to the Operations Management Team, and liaise with AHL's National Office as required. This role requires a proactive manager with strong organisational and people skills, a commitment to excellence, and a passion for delivering services that make a positive impact.

Position Details:

• Ongoing (75 hours per fortnight)
• Work patterns will generally cover 7am to 7pm shifts for 8 days a fortnight (including one short day) across both weekdays and weekends.

We are also looking to establish a Merit Pool to fill any future vacancies that may arise for Ongoing, Non-Ongoing, Full-time or Part-time positions.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Pay & Benefits: You'll receive 15.4% superannuation, and generous leave entitlements to make sure you're well looked after.
• Job Security & Career Growth: Enjoy employment with plenty of opportunities to grow and move up within the organisation.
• Supportive Team Environment: You'll be part of a friendly, inclusive team where your work is valued.
• Generous shift penalties apply for work after hours, weekends and public holidays. This role require one weekend work - 50% penalty rates apply for Saturday, and 100% penalty rates apply for Sunday.
• Regular salary packaging options for vehicles, superannuation and laptops etc PLUS, ability to salary sacrifice $15,900 per FBT year for rent, mortgage or living expenses. This benefit reduces taxable income, increasing fortnightly take-home pay.
• Generous Leave Entitlements – including additional days off when a your RDO falls on a public holiday, 18 days sick/personal leave per annum, cultural and NAIDOC day leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Employees, their partners, and their dependants/children will have access to a confidential, professional counselling service to assist employees to manage personal and work issues.

Key tasks:

The Hostel Managers tasks include:

• Supporting hostel teams in achieving AHL's goals by providing clear direction and guidance on work expectations and deliverables.
• Regularly conducting quality assurance checks of the hostel to ensure the hostel is meeting operational requirements addressing non-compliance and manage continual improvement in hostel operations.
• Regularly reporting to the Operations Management Team and National Office.
• Supporting AHL's vision to improve the quality of life and economic opportunities for First Nations People by providing safe, culturally appropriate and affordable accommodation.
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to support resident access to services and resources, and to ensure guest needs are attended to in an efficient and professional manner.
• Creating a culture of excellent customer service at the hostel ensuring guests feel welcome, culturally safe and comfortable at all times.
• Managing Hostel Operations in accordance with AHL's Operations Handbook, maintaining discretion and privacy of resident and staff information.
• Providing staff management, support and leadership including staff recruitment, induction, performance management, and providing development and training where needed.
• Resolving resident issues promptly to create a positive, culturally appropriate experience and quality stay for residents, showing respect for the diversity of residents' personal situations.

Our ideal candidates:

The ideal candidate is an experienced and driven leader with operational, people management skills and with a strong focus on customer service. You thrive in dynamic environments, are adept at building and leading effective teams, and are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services. You are confident engaging with local stakeholders and ensuring residents are well supported throughout their stay. You bring a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and an ongoing focus on improving service delivery in line with AHL's standards and strategic objectives.

Under the direction of the Operations Management Team, you will manage the day-to-day operations of the hostel in accordance with AHL policy, procedure, the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct and relevant APS legislation.

Eligibility:

• Be an Australian Citizen
• Undergo a Satisfactory National Criminal History Check (prior to engagement)
• Meet Fitness for Duty requirements (prior to engagement)
• Hold and maintain a NT Working with Children Check prior to engagement.
• Hold a valid Driver Licence
• Hold or obtain relevant qualifications.

How to apply

Complete the Application Form available from our website Work with us | Aboriginal Hostels Limited

Email your current Resume and completed Application Form to by 11:59pm AEST on Sunday 23 November 2025

Please include your name and the job reference (VN in the subject of your email

Contact person: Denise O'Neill –