Are you interested in a career with Hearing Australia but not quite sure what to
expect? Maybe you’ve heard about the good work we do in your community, or
perhaps you’ve seen one of our many centres across Australia. However you
learned about us, we’re glad you’re here.
Whether you’re new to the workforce or looking for a career change, hear from some of our people about what a career with Hearing Australia has in store for you.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career or considering a change to the hearing care industry?
Rheanna Beer, Clinical Community Advisor (Tasmania) – “There are plenty of reasons to join, but when you can work in a job where you feel like you are making a difference - you can’t get that everywhere. People’s lives are improving because of the work we do, and to be part of that is so rewarding; it’s so uplifting and engaging. It really makes you strive for better outcomes for the community.”
Sandeep Babbar, Head of Applications, Macquarie Park – “If someone is looking for a role within Hearing Australia within technology, there are multiple streams and we are always growing. You could work in the applications space, cloud and infrastructure, cybersecurity, or business demand and project development. It’s a great opportunity for someone who wants to grow their career and develop laterally or vertically.”
Victoria, Centre Manager (Perth) – “Don’t underestimate where you’ve come from or what you’ve done in previous roles. A career with Hearing Australia gives you so much opportunity to improve on skills that you have and learn so much more. Not a day goes by when I don’t learn something new. If you come in with an open mind and an open heart, and you want to challenge yourself to grow not only as a human but also in your professional life, this is a great way to do it.”
Matt Croteau, Research Audiologist, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) – “If you’ve become an audiologist for the right reasons - to provide best-practice care – make sure you spend your whole career remembering that’s the reason you’re doing it. Don’t get distracted by a challenging day or a process you don’t like; just keep an eye on those small wins you get all day.”
What kind of learning and development and career progression have you experienced?
Rheanna Beer, Clinical Community Advisor (Tasmania) –
“I was 19 and studying for my business certificate when I saw that Hearing Australia was offering a Customer Service Officer traineeship for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidate. I applied and was lucky to get the role. Being a young Aboriginal woman, coming into a welcoming workplace with such strong values around diversity and inclusion was amazing. I finished my traineeship in 2018, and then became a Community Hearing Advisor, going to pharmacies, clinics and community groups, building relationships and offering hearing checks. I would never have imagined this career for myself, but I just love it.”
Victoria, Centre Manager (Perth) – “I was initially hired on a maternity leave contract and was made permanent eight months later. While I've been with Hearing Australia, I've been given opportunities to sit on project teams and be part of wider teams with people who are experts in their field. To be valued enough to have my voice and opinions be part of the conversation for organisational change, that’s something I’ve rarely had the opportunity to do in previous roles.”
Matt Croteau, Research Audiologist, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) – “At NAL, there are constant programs, workshops and guest lecturers that enable you to deepen your knowledge. One example is we’re given training in how to communicate science to people. That’s incredibly important to us. If I were to go on stage at an international conference and I’m not able to share our research in a way people understand, our work doesn’t get out there. So, it’s great that we get training for that.
In terms of engineering, we use a lot of complex tools, and it can take quite some time to become proficient at them. I asked my manager if I could spend two hours a week to upskill on a particular tool, and it was not a problem. They know it’s not just for my own benefit; it’s for everyone’s benefit that I develop these skills.”
What sets Hearing Australia apart as a place to work and grow your career?
Ebonie Dickson, Customer Service Officer (Hobart) – “When I started, everything was completely foreign to me, but my onboarding experience was amazing. I was given a lot of time and background information on Hearing Australia, and I got the chance to ask questions, learn the ropes and be given a lot of support. I’m really grateful for that. The way we support new starters is pretty impressive.”
Victoria, Centre Manager (Perth) – “Even on the hard days, I feel really lucky to be here with the team I have. I work with a group of such compassionate and wonderful humans - who wouldn’t want to surround themselves with that kind of energy? Absolutely, there can be a lot of challenges in this line of work, but every single person who works here, regardless of their role, understands they play an important role in making a difference in people’s lives.”
Matt Croteau, Research Audiologist, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) – “The training provided internally at Hearing Australia is comprehensive and wide-ranging. You can become an expert working with tinnitus, complex adults, or children; whereas other providers don’t always cater to those patients."
“The range of clients we help, including First Nations, is the widest, so the impact is very substantial. So, that’s very satisfying work when you’re able to grow professionally, take on new skills throughout your entire career, and you’re able to help people who aren’t being helped by anyone else.”
It matters more at Hearing Australia
This content features real employees of Hearing Australia, sharing their own personal comments, views, opinions, and individual experiences of Hearing Australia.
