Many Australians might consider their morning coffee to be life-changing, but for some of far north Queensland's unemployed and homeless people, the beverage is literally changing their lives.

After spending four years living on the street, Walter Humphreys now feels as though he has a purpose in life.

Mr Humphreys recently completed a barista course with Mission Australia and is now actively seeking employment in the hospitality industry.

"It was a demanding course but it was done in such a nature that it was done lovingly, not in a stand-over kind of way," he said.

"It was adaptable and you could slowly adjust to it; it was lovely."

Walter Humphreys (L) and Ian Milburn test their skills as Mission Australia staff wait for coffee. ( ABC Far North: Mark Rigby )

Mr Humphreys said he had hardly drunk coffee before embarking on the course, but had learned to appreciate what went in to making a great brew.

"The double shot cappuccino is my favourite," he said.

Mission Australia program manager Sarah Brown said the organisation's Cafe One van had been relocated to far north Queensland at the beginning of the year.

"Unfortunately we lost some funding down in Brisbane, so we brought the van up here as a great opportunity for us to support our clients," she said.

"It helps people get some training, helps people get their confidence, and really just to come together and build relationships and have fun.

"The biggest thing is you just see the smiles on their faces, you see them re-energised and really wanting to be part of things and just appreciating being given an opportunity."

Ian Milburn has completed his barista training in the Mission Australia Cafe One van after being unemployed for more than 12 months. ( ABC Far North: Mark Rigby )

Another client of Mission Australia's Cairns branch, Ian Milburn, said he had been unemployed for more than 12 months before enrolling in the 10-week food hygiene and barista course.

"I found the barista training to be the best part of the course because I've [previously] worked in kitchens for around 13 years," he said.

"[The course] has given me inspiration to get up off my backside and get out there and start looking for work."

As with Mr Humphreys, Mr Milburn said working around coffee had given him a newfound appreciation for the beverage.

"I like the double cappuccino because they're nice and strong," he said.