For refugees and people seeking asylum, numerous obstacles can stand in their way of securing employment. Lack of local work experience, unfamiliar application processes and conscious and unconscious bias from employers can make it difficult for people to get a ‘foot in the door’ in the Australian job market.

ASRC Cleaning creates pathways to employment through training, education and mentorship, while delivering high-quality cleaning services to Melbourne commercial and domestic clients.

Working for ASRC Cleaning has given Rebecca independence, freedom, and a sense of pride in being able to provide for her family. When she first came to Australia from Papua New Guinea, she visited the ASRC Foodbank seeking support with food security.

“I came to ASRC to get food and when they gave me food they told me, you can get work here too,” she says.

Like many women seeking asylum, Rebecca had never worked outside of the home before arriving in Australia.

Rebecca was referred to ASRC Cleaning – one of the ASRC’s two social enterprises providing employment and local experience to refugees and people seeking asylum. She has now worked here for five years.

“It gives me independence,” Rebecca says. “I can stand on my own. I can support my children and my husband.”

Like Rebecca, Muhammad has been employed with ASRC Cleaning for around five years. Originally from Pakistan, Muhammad approached ASRC when the distribution centre he worked at closed down and he found himself unemployed.

Like so many seeking safety, Muhammad has been on a bridging visa for more than ten years, making it very difficult for him to find secure employment.

“No-one wants to employ someone who has to renew their visa every three months,” Muhammad says. “ASRC understands this situation and they accommodate. The managers at ASRC Cleaning are so cooperative, so helpful.”

Having a supportive environment to work in has been a huge comfort to many ASRC cleaners like Mulunesh, who cleans the ASRC building in Footscray.

“I like working here,” she says. “Before I worked here, the ASRC accepted me – I ate food here, I learned English here and the lawyers helped me. I’ve had a lot of support here. That’s why when I am working here I feel very nice. It feels like home.”

Mulunesh, who arrived in Australia from Ethiopia seven years ago, came to ASRC for English classes and also to do a short cleaning course. She was enrolled in the Women’s Empowerment Program when she found out about the opportunity with ASRC Cleaning.

Working has made a huge difference in Rebecca’s life, even helping to improve her English, and she is thankful for the customers who choose ASRC Cleaning and entrust her with their cleaning needs.

“Other cleaning businesses are out there, but they operate differently,” Rebecca says. “My children, my husband – we are happy. It supports us, so we are not left behind. I’m independent and I’m strong. I can do anything.”

Paid employment enables refugees and people seeking asylum to rebuild their lives here and contribute to the community. ASRC Cleaning removes the roadblocks they face and creates pathways to secure, ongoing employment.

By choosing ASRC Cleaning, you help make stories like Rebecca’s, Muhammad’s and Mulunesh’s possible by empowering people to gain local work experience, become financially independent, and rebuild their lives with dignity.

Call us today to discuss your domestic or commercial cleaning requirements, or book now.