Two days later the organisation hired her, and last month a national award recognised her work with the long-term unemployed.

Ms Ngo received the 'employment consultant of the year' award, presented by the National Employment Services Association, at a ceremony in Cairns this month.

"I initially came to MatchWorks as a job-seeker and one day the job search trainer was absent so I decided to have some fun and take over the class," Ms Ngo recalled.

"After that, the site manager called me out for a brief chat and 10 minutes later I was having a pre-screening interview."

Ms Ngo overcame significant barriers to succeed. She grew up in Vietnam without her father, who left with her two older siblings as refugees. In 1992 she arrived in Australia as a refugee, with her mother and five siblings.

Ms Ngo completed her VCE and a bachelor of accounting degree, and throughout this time volunteered with many community groups, including as a translator.

MatchWorks general manager Michael Wasley said Ms Ngo embraced her work with disadvantaged job-seekers, and her dedication and enthusiasm were infectious.

"Van's commitment to her clients is reflected not only in her outstanding ability to successfully place them into sustainable employment but also in the feedback I consistently get from grateful clients who have gained life-changing opportunities through their interaction with Van," he said.