_{06th February, 2026}

Join a supportive and friendly team working together to make a real difference not only for the people we care for, but also each other

Southern Cross Care QLD have an exciting leadership opportunity for a Head Chef to lead the Food Services Team at our Castra Residential Aged Care Home in Murgon.

Based in the beautiful South Burnett Region of Southeast Queensland, Murgon is located just one hour drive west of the thriving rural service center of Gympie or 40-minute drive from Kingaroy. Surrounded by picturesque countryside, the friendly township of Murgon provides a wonderful lifestyle opportunity for those who prefer country life whilst still providing easy access to amenities

As the Head Chef you will provide leadership to the Food Services Team, driving service excellence in kitchen operations and resident dining experience. Your hospitality management experience and skills, coupled with an ability to mentor and empower your team to provide the highest standard in service delivery, will ensure your success in this role.

What can Southern Cross Care Queensland offer you?

• Competitive salary with the benefit of Not-for-Profit salary sacrifice options to take home more
• Full time roster, working 5 days a week
• Opportunity to join a supportive organisation with a great staff culture, ongoing individualised training, an Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families and support programs like Thrive (access 50% of your earned wages early)
• Purpose driven organisation

About the role

As the Head Chef your duties will include:

• Ensuring preparation and cooking of nutritious meals in the kitchen align with Aged Care Quality and Food Safety Standards
• Supervision of kitchen staff, providing guidance and mentorship consistent with their duties
• Menu design including planning, ordering and management of all meal preparations in accordance to resident dietary requirements
• Budgeting, menu costing and supplier negotiating 
• Assisting with recruitment and induction of new team members
• Stock control and ordering with up-to-date record keeping
• Inventory, kitchen and equipment maintenance 
• Ensuring Food Safety documentation is maintained
• Ensuring compliance with Workplace Health and Safety & Infection Control policies and procedures at all times

What will you bring to the role?

• Certificate III or above in Cookery
• Hospital (or similar) commercial cooking knowledge and experience
• Experience in a hygiene-controlled environment
• Monitoring and handling of food and equipment experience
• Aged Care Quality and Food Safety Standards knowledge and experience
• Demonstrated Leadership and interpersonal skills
• Conflict resolution skills 
• Time, task and priority management
• Competent in using computer systems
• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate

Who is Southern Cross Care Queensland?

Southern Cross Care (SCC) is a Catholic not-for-profit organisation established by the Knights of the Southern Cross, more than 40 years ago. They saw a need to provide compassionate care and inclusive service to some of the most vulnerable, the ageing population, in the community.

Since then, SCC has grown to employ over 1700 staff caring for and supporting more than 2000 people across 17 residential aged care homes, 8 retirement villages, 28 social houses, the National Disability and Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and home care services in metropolitan and regional Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

We are passionate about growing communities where best lives are lived, and serving the needs of our residents and clients with compassion and care is, as always, at the heart of what we do.

At SCC, we are just as focused on creating a culture where every person matters. Our culture program, Known & Loved, is unique to Southern Cross Care, enabling staff to build genuine community connections with each other and those we serve.
  
How can you apply? 

If you are a Chef ready to make a difference and help us grow communities where best lives are lived, then we'd love to hear from you. Apply today!

If you have any queries around Southern Cross Care QLD ‘s recruitment process or about the role, please contact us at employment@sccqld.com.au
  
Southern Cross Care Queensland is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate the diversity across our entire team and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.  Please note that all employment offers will be conditional upon a satisfactory NDIS workers screen, the right to work in Australia and maintaining an up-to-date flu vaccinations status.

Our Mission: Inspired by Catholic moral and social teachings which value and respect human life and the dignity of the individual, we will provide a quality of care and accommodation to meet the needs of all who place their trust in us.

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