Aged Care Cook

We began 25 years ago with a knock-out exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW which raised over a million dollars. People from the remotest, most beautiful part of the desert, then used this money to develop their own organization, with a culture of caring, compassion and determination.

At the time, the focus was to get family members home to Kintore on dialysis, for people to be looked after on country and to maintain the traditions of looking after country and passing on cultural heritage to future generations.

It took a little time…and a lot of hard work…but in 2004, Purple House started dialysis in Kintore, the first of its kind, and set a precedence for many others to follow.

Today we are proud to say we have helped many communities to get their people home and now operate Dialysis in 20 (and growing) remote communities across NT, SA and WA. We also run two mobile dialysis trucks, provide a range of support services including Aged Care, NDIS, Primary Health and Social Support, run a successful bush medicine social enterprise and always working on new innovations.

We have come a long way in two decades and are excited about the next chapter

About the Role

The Malpa Cook will manage kitchen operations within a remote aged care service, ensuring the preparation and delivery of nutritious meals that cater to the specific dietary needs of up to 50 Indigenous clients. This role plays a key part in maintaining food quality and safety while promoting the health and well-being of our clients. You will be responsible for menu planning, meal preparation, stock management, and compliance with food safety and hygiene standards. Building positive relationships with clients and contributing to a culturally appropriate food service will be essential aspects of your role.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Menu Planning & Meal Preparation: Develop and prepare nutritious, culturally appropriate meals that meet the dietary needs of clients.
2. Stock Management: Oversee stock control, ordering, and inventory management to ensure efficient kitchen operations.
3. Food Safety & Compliance: Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health regulations.
4. Client Interaction: Foster positive relationships with clients, ensuring their dietary preferences and needs are met.
5. Cultural Sensitivity: Deliver a food service that is culturally appropriate and supports the well-being of Indigenous clients.
6. Team Support: Mentor and guide kitchen staff, ensuring smooth kitchen operations and team development.
7. Work Health & Safety: Adhere to and promote workplace health and safety practices.
8. Quality Improvement: Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service quality.

About You – Essential Criteria

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent)
• Qualified Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
• A passion for cooking fresh, healthy food and supporting special dietary requirements
• Strong awareness of Work Health and Safety practices
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including clients, team members, and management
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and professionally with limited supervision
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Sound knowledge of relevant food safety legislation and compliance standards
• Experience in food preparation and kitchen management, preferably in a remote or aged care setting
• Ability to coach and mentor staff, facilitating their ongoing development
• Knowledge and commitment to Quality Improvement
• Knowledge of current Work Health Safety legislation
• Current driver's licence

Desirable

• Previous experience working with Indigenous communities or Aboriginal organizations.

About us - What we offer

• Attractive salary with 12% super + generous salary packaging options
• 6 weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading
• Purple House is a registered not for profit, we are able to offer excellent salary packaging options through Community Business Bureau (CBB) dependent upon individual circumstances - per FBT year:
• For this role - Remote Locality Allowance $53/day - max of $265/week
• Study leave after 12 months
• Relocation benefits for eligible (successful) applicants
• Accommodation & work vehicle

The Location

Mt Liebig is an Indigenous community located approximately 200 km west of Alice Springs, in the heart of the Western Desert. It is home to a vibrant population of Warlpiri people, with a fluctuating community of around 500 residents. Surrounded by rugged desert landscapes, Mt Liebig offers a unique and culturally rich environment.

How to apply

If you think you're a great fit for this role, please tell us why by submitting a one-page cover letter andresume via SEEK.

We encourage you to explore our website, Facebook and Instagram to see how we roll.

For general enquiries about the position, or a for a copy of the position description, please reach out to the People team at

No Agencies Please

Applications close on 16/10/2025

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on submission and as such the closing date is subject to change without notice.

We actively encourage and invite applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for all our positions.