Centre Cook, Portland

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 will offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. The centres will 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's central office is in the Victorian Department of Education. The central team is leading the roll-out of the 50 centres and will support and oversee centre operations once they open.

Staff in the Early Learning Victoria centres will be part of a new Victorian government-employed early childhood workforce. We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our employees, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.

Location Profile
Early Learning Victoria Portland South (interim name)

Salary: $ 53,865 - $65,916

A relocation incentive of up to $10,000 will be available for those who relocate more than 100km from their current place of residence to take up this role.

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.
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 be responsible for ensuring that food prepared in line with specific dietary requirements and is culturally appropriate to the local community. This role will also be responsible for the timely ordering of food supplies and stock management to meet budget requirements.
Capabilities
Nutrition, Food Handling and Hygiene - Responsible for planning and preparing nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children ensuring that dietary and cultural requirements are catered for. Maintains a safe and clean environment in accordance with The Food Safety Act and the ELV Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Policy. Maintain kitchen and equipment to ensure all is in working order and escalate concerns to centre leadership when required.

Administration - Responsible for planning, reflecting and modifying menus as required ensuring that set menus are changed seasonally Responsible for the timely ordering of food supplies and stock management to meet budget requirements. Maintains and ensures the Food Safety Program is kept updated
Organisational Skills - Time management: Uses advanced time management skills to ensure that meal organisation, preparation and delivery is within expected time frames to meet children's needs.

Problem-solving: Uses advanced organisational skills to complete administrative tasks, maintain accurate records, and ensure that food prepared is within expected budget. Strong problem-solving abilities to identify challenges and implement effective solutions.

Compliance and Child Safety - Implement ELV policies and procedures in relation to Health Nutrition and Food safety. Ensure individual dietary requirements are met for all children at the service and work actively with centre management to support specific needs for allergies/intolerance and culturally diverse communities. Understand and adhere to the Child Safe Standards and the ELV Protect Children Policy. Actively seeks guidance and direction when unclear.

Communication - Uses effective communication skills to develops and maintain meaningful relationships with staff, families, and children, fostering a supportive and collaborative centre environment. Promotes respectful relationship and conflict resolution. Contributes to a positive learning culture by prioritising reflective practice and maintaining a continuous cycle of self-evaluation and improvement.

Personal Attributes - Demonstrates the public sector values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership, and human rights.

Flexibility and adaptability: Operates well in a flexible and changing environment and manages workload efficiently to meet the centre's needs. Demonstrates initiative and seeks guidance and direction from senior colleagues when unsure.

Working Collaboratively: Supports a culture of collaboration within the centre and builds effective relationships with stakeholders and the community to maximise impact of the centre.

Selection Criteria
Criteria 1 - Demonstrates the Nutrition, Food Handling and Hygiene role requirements.
Criteria 2 - Personal Attributes - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 3 - Child safety and Compliance - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 4 - Organisational Skills - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ , disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via

Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, 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. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

Conditions of Employment
Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role. In your cover letter, please also respond directly to the Key Selection Criteria.

Please note, applications will only be reviewed after the job ad close date. We will not be contacting applicants before this time. For more information about the role please contact

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ , disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Sunday, 5th of October 2025.

Who May Apply
Experience that will be required:

Demonstrated experience as a Cook or Chef in 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 (to be arranged by Early Learning Victoria)
International Police Check required if resided outside of Australia for 12 months or more during the last 10 years
First Aid, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications (or willing to obtain)
Protecting Children - Mandatory Reporting online learning (or willing to obtain)