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About Us

Over 20 years ago, we began with a knockout exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW that raised over a million dollars. People from one of the most remote and beautiful parts of the desert used those funds to build their own organization – one founded on caring, compassion and determination.

Our early focus was to bring family members home to Kintore for dialysis, so they could receive care on Country, maintain their connection to culture, and pass on cultural heritage to future generations. It took time and hard work, but in 2004, Purple House started dialysis in Kintore, the first of its kind, setting a precedent for many others to follow.

Today, we’re proud to support many communities in bringing their people home. We now provide dialysis in 20 (and growing) remote communities across the NT, SA and WA. We also operate two mobile dialysis trucks and offer a range of culturally safe support services, including Aged Care, NDIS, Primary Health, Social Support, Wellbeing Programs, and a successful bush medicine social enterprise.

We have come a long way in two decades – and the next chapter is just beginning!

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:

Menu Planning & Meal Preparation: Develop and prepare nutritious, culturally appropriate meals that meet the dietary needs of clients.

Stock Management: Oversee stock control, ordering, and inventory management to ensure efficient kitchen operations.

Food Safety & Compliance: Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health regulations.

Client Interaction: Foster positive relationships with clients, ensuring their dietary preferences and needs are met.

Cultural Sensitivity: Deliver a food service that is culturally appropriate and supports the well-being of Indigenous clients.

Team Support: Mentor and guide kitchen staff, ensuring smooth kitchen operations and team development.

Work Health & Safety: Adhere to and promote workplace health and safety practices.

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 organizational 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 license

Desirable

Previous experience working with Indigenous communities or Aboriginal organizations.

About us - What we offer

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 Locations

Yuendumu is an Indigenous Community which sits on the edge of the Tanami Desert approximately 350 kms north west of Alice Springs. It is one of the largest Aboriginal communities in central Australia with a fluctuating population of approximately 1,000 Warlpiri people.

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 and resume 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 people@purplehouse.org.au

No Agencies Please

Applications close on 26 June 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.