Migrating to Victoria

Ajay, Psychiatrist

I’m Ajay Vijayakrishnan, I'm originally from India and I'm a psychiatrist.

I have two kids. The older one is 17, the younger one is 14 and I have a wife who's a clinical psychologist and also in the mental health profession.

While making a decision to move, what mattered most was our kids. We talked amongst the family and they didn't hesitate and they wanted to come to Australia. I was keen for them to get out and about; enjoy the outdoors and that is something we had not been able to give them. There's a much better work-life balance that Melbourne can offer. You have access to cities and restaurants when you want it, we have a park just behind our house and it's just lovely.

My wife has been able to set up her work very well and that's an important part of her life. The kids love their school. They love all the extracurricular activities that they do in school and outside.

We're finding it fantastic so far.

Victoria is investing a lot of money into mental health, services are expanding. There's a lot more opportunity and I think we are at a crucial juncture where people with an interest can actually shape and lead services in the direction that you feel is right for the person in front of you.

It's been four years since moving to Melbourne and what I find is that every day there are things that I look forward to - in my drive to work, being with my family, there's always something to lift your spirits and I think that's the real plus point of being here.

Small things, but they all add up and make a difference.

Siomha, Medical Officer

I'm Siomha, and I'm from Ireland, and I work as a doctor.

I actually knew very little about Victoria in general. I suppose when you're from so far away, when you think of Australia, you think of Sydney.

But the more I read up about Melbourne, it really seemed like it was going to suit me as a city. I really am interested in the arts, and theatre and films. So, there’s so much of that here. And then there's so much on your doorstep. It's a really great base to have, so even if you just have a long weekend off work, you can go and do something completely different, get out of the city and try something new.

Working as a doctor in Victoria has been very beneficial from a learning point of view. Because there's more staff on the ground, there's just more time to for our seniors to explain things, to allow me to try an intervention first, with their supervision. Even though it will take a little bit longer, there's time to allow for that. I've been lucky to find some really nice mentors within the area that I want to specialise in. And they've helped guide me into a Basics Physicians training program, which I've started just a few weeks ago.

The community in Regional Victoria has been really supportive of us, and have made a big effort to get us involved in local events, and particularly the pub quiz every Thursday, which is really fun. You can have hobbies and interests, and just have a little more control of your life than I felt like I did when I was at home.

So, I definitely recommend the move to anyone who's considering it.