Leaving behind a lucrative career in banking in her homeland, a 45-year-old Malaysian woman, Farasafina Md Daud, made a life-changing decision to become a cleaner in Australia.
Her inspiring journey from the financial sector to the world of housekeeping is a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of ‘halal’ (permissible) earnings.
M’sian woman leaves banking job to work as a cleaner in Australia
Farasafina’s story began when her family moved to Perth, Australia, to support her husband, Ahmad Yassir Hamdan, who was pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Western Australia (UWA).
The transition to a new country wasn’t without its hardships, including the high cost of living and a weekly rent of A$415 (RM1,251.91).
With her family’s savings dwindling, Farasafina decided to take matters into her own hands.
She embarked on a path that many might find unconventional but ultimately proved to be rewarding.
Transition to cleaning: A bold move
Farasafina took on cleaning jobs, working both through an agency at a children’s hospital and offering private cleaning services to households.
Reflecting on her journey, Farasafina explained, “I work as a cleaner at a children’s hospital under an agency, in addition to offering private services from house-to-house. I am assisted by my husband, and we’ve supported our family during the past two years here.”
Transitioning from a high-paying banking job to cleaning was not an easy decision for Farasafina, but she was determined to make it work.
She noted that her extensive banking experience and qualifications didn’t necessarily translate into job opportunities in Australia, as the local financial institutions preferred candidates with experience in local banks.
This, along with various other experiences, led her to embrace the role of a cleaner.
Compliance with Australian regulations
To operate her cleaning business in Australia, Farasafina followed all the necessary regulations, including registering her business with an Australian Business Number (ABN) and obtaining a police clearance, Harian Metro reported.
As she worked at a children’s hospital, she also secured a Working with Children Check (WWCC) card.
Farasafina’s cleaning services cater to a diverse clientele, including Arabs, Singaporeans, and locals.
She offers flexibility in her services, with a minimum of two hours per job and thorough cleanings taking up to 10 hours.
Her hourly rate has grown from A$25 (RM75.42) to A$30 (RM90.50), with additional charges for longer distances. Typically, she and her husband take on three houses per week.
Dealing with public opinion
Despite facing a mix of positive and negative comments from netizens after sharing her journey on TikTok, Farasafina remained unapologetic about her career change.
She pointed out that her earnings were ‘halal’ and emphasised the importance of realising the real challenges faced by newcomers trying to secure jobs in Australia.
‘The people here never look down on it’
“I’m happy to do this job, even though in the eyes of others, I might be seen as having downgraded my life from working in an office to becoming a cleaner,” she stated.
“But I don’t care. In fact, the people here never look down on it.”
Farasafina’s story has garnered significant attention, and she has received numerous messages from individuals looking to work with her.
While she’s currently managing her cleaning business alongside her husband, she doesn’t rule out the possibility of expanding and hiring students from Malaysia studying in Australia to provide them with pocket money.
“I hope our effort will grow, and I can hire students from Malaysia who are studying in Australia to help them earn pocket money because I do get a lot of job requests,” she shared, underscoring her commitment to helping others while forging her own path in Australia.
Farasafina’s journey is an inspiring example of resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of ‘halal’ earnings, demonstrating that success can be found in unexpected places.
