Fazila ‘Faz’ Hares began her career as a Talent Aquisition Officer at The Benevolent Society (Benevolent) five years ago, recruiting Allied Health professionals for our disability teams in New South Wales and South Australia. 

“Working with people with disability is where my heart lies,” Faz shared. A casual conversation in the lunchroom with a colleague lit a spark for a career change, leading Faz to pursue her goal of becoming a Behaviour Support Practitioner.  

While she loved her talent acquisition role, this discussion opened her eyes to a new career path.  

With encouragement from her manager, who informed her of Benevolent’s study leave options, Faz enrolled in a Bachelor of Human Services. 

Changing careers

After four years of balancing full-time work with her studies, Faz reached the next phase of her degree: student placements. 

She was particularly excited to complete one placement with Benevolent’s Disability Services team in Gosford. “It was a transformative experience. Being on the frontline and witnessing the incredible work our teams do to support clients truly fed my soul.” 

Being a Behaviour Support Practitioner requires a very person-centred approach. It involves creating effective behaviour plans, developing strategies for managing challenging client behaviours, and identifying necessary additional supports – all which demand time and dedication.  

Understanding each client’s behaviours and the challenges they face has a positive impact on not only the clients themselves, but also how they engage with support systems and the broader community. 

Taking the leap

“This work is deeply personal for me,” Faz explained. “I feel incredibly blessed to have two sisters with disability diagnoses; they have shaped the best parts of who I am and have taught me so much. 

Image: Behaviour Support Practitioner, Fazila.

“When I was scared about taking the leap and changing careers, I asked my oldest sister what I should do. She said, ‘That's the time you jump, when you're most scared, or you’re going to wonder for the rest of your life why you didn’t.’” 

When a Behaviour Support Practitioner position opened with the team after her final placement, Faz did not hesitate to apply. She was overjoyed to find out she got the role, starting in October 2024. 

In addition to her passion and fantastic practical work, Faz received the Dean’s Award for her studies, with two of her assignments being so highly regarded the University requested to use them as teaching examples for future students.

A new career

Going into her new role, Faz is excited to be putting her studies into practice, and to be working with a team that she found incredibly supportive during placements. Most of all, she is excited about what she can do to support her clients.  

As she prepares to step into her new role, Faz is excited to put her studies into practice. She is grateful to work with a team that provided incredible support during her placement, and excited about the positive impact she can make for her clients.  

“People with disabilities deserve more—more love, more laughter, more opportunities, more experiences, and more life!” 

For more information on our range of support services, click here or call 1800 236 762.