For Dr Wai Yan Htet Tin, moving to Australia represented more than a career opportunity. It was the chance to experience a new healthcare system, embrace a different way of life and, importantly, be closer to family.
After building his medical career in the UK, Dr Tin made the move to Western Australia, where he is now working as a GP across Perth’s northern suburbs and enjoying everything his new home has to offer.
From Myanmar to general practice in the UK
Dr Tin graduated from the University of Medicine (1), Yangon, Myanmar, in 2016 before moving to the UK and beginning his medical career there in 2019.
He initially worked in hospital medicine before undertaking GP training in the East of England. In 2025, he became a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) and went on to work as a salaried GP.
For Dr Tin, general practice offered the combination of variety and continuity he was looking for in his medical career.
“I was drawn to general practice because of the variety and the opportunity to build genuine, long-term relationships with patients,” he says.
“I enjoy being able to look after people throughout different stages of their lives, while also having to think broadly and manage a wide range of conditions.
“No two days are quite the same in general practice, and that’s something I continue to really enjoy.”
Deciding to make Australia home
After several years of training and working in the UK, Dr Tin began thinking about what might come next.
“I felt it was the right time to experience something different, both professionally and personally,” he says.
Australia had long appealed to him for its lifestyle, climate and natural environment, while also offering the opportunity to continue developing his career as a GP.
But there was another particularly important reason behind his decision: family.
“It was a big decision to leave the UK after so many years, but ultimately it felt like the right time to take the leap and to be with my family.”
Western Australia soon emerged as the right destination.
Perth offered the professional opportunities Dr Tin was looking for, alongside a relaxed lifestyle and easy access to the beaches and natural surroundings he enjoys. Being close to family was also central to his decision, with Dr Tin specifically looking for opportunities north of the river.
“I liked the idea of living somewhere I could have a good balance between work and life outside medicine,” he says.
“Since arriving, I’ve definitely appreciated that balance, and being able to spend time with my family is a bonus.”
Finding support for the move
Dr Tin first heard about DXC Medical Recruitment through friends who were also considering relocating to Australia.
With registration, employment, visas and the practicalities of an international move all needing to come together, he wanted support from a team familiar with helping international GPs navigate the process.
“What attracted me to DXC Medical was their experience with international doctors and the fact that they could support me throughout the journey,” Dr Tin says.
“Moving overseas as a doctor can involve a lot of uncertainty, particularly when you’re trying to understand registration, visas, employment and all the practical aspects of relocating.
“It was reassuring to know that I wasn’t trying to navigate the whole process on my own.”
Like many international doctors, Dr Tin found there were plenty of moving parts to coordinate, particularly while organising everything from the other side of the world.
“There were times when the process felt complicated, particularly trying to coordinate registration, visas and employment,” he says.
“However, having the right people around you makes a huge difference.”
DXC supported Dr Tin throughout the different stages of his move, helping him understand what was required and what needed to happen next.
“Whenever I had questions or wasn’t sure about the next step, having someone knowledgeable to guide me gave me a lot of reassurance.
“For me, one of the biggest benefits was simply knowing that there was someone, actually, the whole team, on my side throughout the process.”
Starting general practice in Western Australia
Today, Dr Tin is working as a GP in Wanneroo and Ellenbrook in Perth’s northern suburbs.
While many aspects of Australian general practice feel familiar after his experience in the UK, starting work in a new healthcare system has also brought plenty of opportunities to learn.
“In many ways, the clinical side of the job feels familiar, as the principles of general practice are very similar to what I experienced in the UK,” he says.
“At the same time, there are plenty of new things to learn, from understanding Medicare and the Australian healthcare system to getting used to how individual practices operate.”
Dr Tin says his UK general practice experience provided a strong foundation for the transition, particularly when it came to managing a broad range of presentations and providing continuity of care.
There have naturally been differences to navigate, including Medicare, billing and the structure and operation of Australian practices, but adapting has been part of the experience.
“At first, everything is new, the practice, the healthcare system, the patients and even the terminology, but gradually you find your rhythm,” he says.
“I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by how quickly the transition can start to feel normal.”
He is now enjoying getting to know his patients, becoming part of the local community and continuing to develop his career in Australia.
Life outside medicine
The move has also given Dr Tin the lifestyle change he had hoped for.
After years in the UK, Perth’s outdoor culture has been one of the most noticeable differences.
“People seem to make the most of the sunshine, beaches and natural surroundings,” he says.
“I really enjoy that. After spending years in the UK, being able to finish work and potentially head to the beach or spend time outdoors is a very different experience.”
Someone who enjoys travelling, discovering new places and spending time around the water, Dr Tin has already enjoyed exploring Perth’s coastline and surrounding areas.
He has also found the local community friendly and welcoming, helping make the transition to a new country feel easier.
“I’m still relatively new to the area, so I’m looking forward to discovering much more of what Western Australia has to offer.”
Dr Tin’s advice to other international GPs
For other GPs thinking about making a similar move, Dr Tin’s advice is not to let the complexity of the process become a barrier.
“When you first start looking into moving countries as a doctor, registration, visas, employment and relocation can seem like a lot to deal with. But you don’t have to figure everything out yourself,” he says.
“I’d recommend starting early, doing your research and speaking to people who have already made the move. Having an experienced recruitment and relocation team supporting you can make a significant difference.”
He also encourages GPs to look beyond the role itself when considering opportunities in Australia.
“Think about where you want to live, what kind of lifestyle you want and what you want your life outside medicine to look like.”
For Dr Tin, taking that broader view helped lead him to Western Australia — and a new chapter combining his GP career with the lifestyle and family connections he was looking for.
“Moving from the UK to Australia was a big decision, but it has been an exciting and rewarding new chapter.
“I’m really glad I took the opportunity to make the move, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this next stage of my life and career takes me.”
Thinking About Moving to Australia?
Whether you're currently working in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand or elsewhere around the world, Australia continues to offer exciting opportunities for General Practitioners seeking career progression, lifestyle benefits and long-term stability.
At DXC Medical, we've helped hundreds of doctors navigate the relocation process and find practices that align with both their professional goals and personal aspirations.
If you're considering making the move, our team would be happy to discuss your options and help you plan your Australian GP journey.
Contact:
Adelene Chew
Senior Consultant
DXC Medical Perth
+61 430 037 389
adelene.chew@dxcmedical.com.au
