Two Years in Australia: A Journey of Growth, Family and Finding a Place to Call Home
For Dr Shazia Hassan, relocating from Pakistan to Maryborough, Queensland, in August 2024 was about more than advancing her medical career. It was an opportunity to embrace a new healthcare system, create a different future for her family and continue growing as a General Practitioner.
Now, two years on, Dr Hassan reflects on the challenges, achievements and experiences that have shaped her journey, from settling into regional Queensland with her husband and three children to achieving RACGP Fellowship and building a rewarding career in Australian general practice.
From Pakistan to Australia
Before moving to Australia, Dr Hassan had spent approximately 16 years practising family medicine in Pakistan. Having completed her MRCGP International qualification, she received a partially comparable assessment from the RACGP in 2023, opening the door to practising in Australia through the PEP Specialist Stream.
With two teenage children and a younger child, finding the right location was particularly important.
Dr Hassan wanted the benefits of regional living while remaining within reach of a larger city, with good schooling options and a supportive community for her family.
After connecting with DXC Medical Recruitment, she worked closely with Queensland Recruitment Consultant Brad Bilinsky to explore suitable opportunities.
Maryborough stood out, not only for its location but also for the opportunity to join a practice with an experienced Australian GP supervisor who could help her navigate the differences between the two healthcare systems.
Looking back, Dr Hassan says this support made an enormous difference.
"My supervisor has been amazing. He helped me a lot in understanding not only the health system but the culture, the patient background, everything."
Settling into Life in Regional Queensland
Moving countries with three children was never going to be without its challenges.
Leaving behind family, friends and an established career in Pakistan meant starting again in a country where Dr Hassan initially had no personal support network.
There were questions about schooling, accommodation, adapting to a new culture and, of course, the pressure of meeting Australian registration and Fellowship requirements.
Fortunately, the support she received from her new practice extended well beyond the consulting room.
From providing initial accommodation, access to a car and relocation assistance to helping secure a rental property and supporting school enrolments, the practice played an important role in helping the family settle.
"They not only initially acted as an employer, but also as a family here in Australia."
Finding a sense of community was equally important. Over time, Dr Hassan and her family connected with other Pakistani families in Maryborough and nearby Hervey Bay, helping them feel more at home.
Access to a local mosque was also an important consideration for the family, providing a place for prayer and an opportunity to maintain their religious and cultural connections.
These connections, along with the support of her practice and the welcoming local community, helped make the transition to life in Australia easier.
Today, her children are settled into school, the family has established its own routines, and Maryborough has become home.
Achieving Fellowship in Just 14 Months
Despite her extensive experience in Pakistan, adapting to Australian general practice presented a new learning curve.
While the foundations of medicine remained familiar, Dr Hassan found the structure of the Australian healthcare system, clinical guidelines and responsibilities of a GP quite different.
Alongside caring for patients, she was also preparing for workplace-based assessments and RACGP Fellowship examinations.
It was a demanding period, balancing clinical responsibilities, study and family life.
However, her hard work paid off.
After arriving in Australia in August 2024, Dr Hassan successfully passed her AKT, KFP and clinical examinations on her first attempt, achieving RACGP Fellowship in November 2025, approximately 14 months after her arrival.
It was an incredible milestone, particularly while adjusting to a new country and healthcare system.
And her learning hasn't stopped there.
Dr Hassan has since continued developing her clinical skills through additional training, including skin cancer medicine and ear health.
Reflecting on the professional development opportunities available in Australia, she says:
"The things which I have learned here in the last two years, I haven't learned them in the last 16 years in my practice in Pakistan."
For Dr Hassan, the opportunities to continue learning and expanding her scope of practice have been among the most rewarding aspects of her move.
Why Maryborough Still Feels Like the Right Place
With Fellowship achieved, Dr Hassan now has more flexibility to consider where she might practise in the future.
While opportunities in larger cities can be appealing, she feels a strong sense of loyalty to the practice and community that supported her from the beginning.
She also recognises the importance of experienced GPs remaining in regional communities, where access to healthcare can be challenging.
Dr Hassan believes that when a community welcomes and supports an internationally trained doctor, there is real value in giving something back.
For now, that means continuing to care for her patients in Maryborough and supporting the practice that helped her establish her Australian career.
Family will always remain an important consideration, particularly as her older children approach university, but she is in no rush to leave the community she has come to know.
Advice for International GPs Considering Australia
Having experienced the journey firsthand, Dr Hassan has some valuable advice for other internationally trained GPs.
Choose the right recruitment partner and practice. Finding a recruiter who understands the Australian healthcare system, the local communities and the practices they work with can make an enormous difference.
Build a strong support network. Moving countries can be stressful, and having family, friends and supportive colleagues around you can help make the transition easier.
Plan ahead and stay positive. Understand your pathway, prepare for each stage of the Fellowship process and allow yourself time to adjust.
Look after your wellbeing. Balancing clinical work, examinations and family responsibilities can be demanding. Staying connected with loved ones and prioritising your physical and mental health is just as important as professional preparation.
Above all, Dr Hassan encourages other doctors to embrace the opportunities Australia offers.
"Stay positive and have a proper plan. Look after yourself ... and you can do that. The Australian system is really good."
Two Years On
Dr Hassan's journey is a wonderful example of what can be achieved with determination, the right support and a willingness to embrace change.
From an established career in Pakistan to becoming a Fellowed GP in regional Queensland, her story reflects both professional achievement and the personal rewards of building a new life in Australia.
For Brad and the DXC Medical Recruitment team, it has been a pleasure supporting Dr Hassan and her family through this important chapter.
Congratulations, Dr Hassan, on everything you've achieved over the past two years. We wish you and your family continued happiness and success in Maryborough and wherever the next chapter may lead.
Thinking About Your Own GP Journey?
Every GP journey is different, but the right support can make all the difference.
If you’re an international GP considering a move to Australia, the DXC Medical team can guide you through every step, from understanding your pathway to finding the right role and settling into your new life.
Get in touch for a confidential chat or explore current GP opportunities across Australia.
Brad Bilinsky
Senior Consultant
+61 428 392 777
brad.bilinsky@dxcmedical.com.au
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