Assistant Hostel Manager, Cook and Weekend Cook

Join AHL and make a real difference

At Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL), we’re all about connection, care and opportunity. The work is real and so is the impact!

We provide culturally safe, affordable accommodation for First Nations people travelling away from home and for over 50 years, we have been helping change lives across Australia.

You’re not just working; you are creating a place where people can feel safe and at home.

AHL is looking for reliable and a motivated Assistant Hostel Manager, Cook and Weekend Cook to join our team and help create a safe, clean, and welcoming environment at our Mackay Hostel in Mackay QLD. 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: 

Assistant Hostel Manager: 

Your role is 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 be a perfectionist, ensuring all hostel operations are meeting standards in line with guidelines and policies and continually developing your team to improve our service offering. You will be reporting to an Operations Management Team and will provide regular reports on hostel operations to the Operations Management Team and to AHL’s National Office business areas as required.

Shifts will generally cover a 7am to 7pm day and you will be required to provide coverage.

Cook & Weekend Cook:

Typical responsibilities for Cook may include: 

• Preparing and serving meals in accordance with AHL’s set menus.
• Maintaining compliance with Food Safety Standards and other relevant legislation.
• Assisting with food ordering, receive and monitor food and kitchen supplies.
• Cleaning and maintaining kitchen and kitchen equipment.
• Preparing the dining room for mealtimes and clean up afterwards.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be Australian Citizens or have already lodged an application for Australian Citizenship. 

Prior to engagement the successful applicants will be required to:

• provide an Australian Citizenship document (e.g. birth certificate or passport);
• undergo a satisfactory National Criminal History Check;
• hold and maintain a working with children check in QLD; and
• meet the fitness for duty requirements. 

Recruitment Initiatives

This is an Affirmative Measures – First Nations applicants only position. The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an Affirmative Measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. To be eligible to apply under the Affirmative Measures initiative, applicants must:

• be an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person
• identify as an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person, and
• be accepted by their community as being an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person.

Evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status

Applicants under the Affirmative Measure must meet the three criteria mentioned previously. Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status before they are appointed to the role. 

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 

How to apply

Upload and complete the application form, available from our website Work with us | Aboriginal Hostels Limited

Email your application form and current resume to ••••@ahl.gov.au by 11:59PM AEST, 

Wednesday 16 September 2026. 

Include your name and the job reference (VN-0772272) in the subject of your email. 

Contact person: Jackson Beckley – 04•• ••• 985

Our purpose is to provide culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. Across our network of hostels, dedicated AHL staff provide accommodation and meals for residents in a culturally safe and supportive environment. We have a strong network of relationships with other organisations, including First Nations organisations. This network both refers residents to AHL and works alongside AHL to support residents to meet their needs. We are proud to be one of the largest employers of First Nations people in the Australian Public Service, First Nations employees make up over 40% of our workforce. Working with us will provide you with a chance to contribute to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for First Nations people.