When Jasraj made the move from Woolgoolga to Coffs Harbour, it was a big step. He wanted more independence – his own place, his own routine, and the chance to build a life on his terms.

But starting over wasn’t easy.

Jasraj is on the autism spectrum. He is highly capable, but he’s also the first to say that some things are harder. Moving to a new town without a job meant stepping into the unknown – finding work, managing money, and adjusting to a new environment all at once.

Still, he was determined to make it work.

When Jasraj connected with Key Community Group, his Employment Consultant Patrick worked alongside him to build his confidence and set him up properly.

That meant practical support – refining his resume, preparing for interviews, and making sure he had the right clothes so he could walk in feeling confident.

It also meant removing some of the everyday barriers.

Jasraj doesn’t have his driver’s licence yet, so getting to work takes planning. Key helped organise a bike, along with everything he needed, helmet, lights and a lock – giving him more independence in how he got around.

Before long, Jasraj secured a role as a Console Operator with Reddy Express.

The employer simply wanted someone reliable, committed, and willing to do the job well. They found that in Jasraj.

Now working across both the Coffs Harbour and Emerald Beach sites, Jasraj has built a routine that reflects his commitment. He walks about 20 minutes to his shifts in Coffs, and catches the bus to Emerald Beach, sometimes waiting up to an hour for the return trip.

It’s not always easy, but he shows up. Every time.

His manager, Heidi, has seen that consistency from the beginning.

She speaks highly of his determination and the effort he puts into his work. Over time, she’s learned how to support him in the right ways, and in return, Jasraj has grown in confidence and capability.

These days, he independently opens and closes shifts, steps in when team members call in sick, and brings a calm, positive presence to the workplace.

He’s professional, courteous, and friendly, the kind of team member every employer hopes for.

Behind the scenes, Patrick and the team at Key continue to check in, not just about work, but about life more broadly. Because keeping a job and building independence doesn’t stop once employment starts.

For Jasraj, this is just the beginning. His next goal is to get his driver’s licence, another step towards independence that he’s already working towards.

And like everything else so far, he’s taking it one step at a time.