The opportunity for a sea change sealed the deal for Port Macquarie partner Alison Harman 

As a married mother of three children under the age of 9, Alison Harman is now pursuing her career and lifestyle dreams as partner at Specsavers Port Macquarie. 

After graduating from university in 2003, Alison went on to complete her Clinical Certificate of Practice (CCP) with her first year working in adult rehabilitation in Sydney. She was also fortunate to join a three-week voluntary mission trip to South India where she was tasked with training locals on hearing testing, ear mould making and fitting hearing aids which opened Alison’s eyes to hearing health care on a global scale. 

When a six-month London working holiday turned into nine years, Alison had worked across all areas of Audiology, from neonates to centurions, in both rehabilitation, auditory and vestibular diagnostics. During this period, she developed a love for the profession whilst honing her skills before returning to Australia, married and with her first child. 

“When I was overseas, I witnessed firsthand the movement that Specsavers made in the audiology industry. First with hearing health and hearing care and then becoming the largest provider of hearing care in the UK. When I heard that they were launching in Australia, I didn’t hesitate to reach out to Specsavers, as I knew they would make waves in the audiology sector in Australia as well. I was impressed with their client-centred care model and their absolute transparency in all that they do, which aligned with my own values and ethical practice. Plus, I was very excited to be a part of this new movement down under!” she says. 

Following the birth of her third child, Alison turned her attention back to her career – seeking a new challenge which included both a clinical and business role. And the Specsavers partnership opportunity catered to both. And partnership with Specsavers also allowed her to fulfil her dream of a sea change to Port Macquarie.  

“Specsavers gave me not only a new career opportunity, but a new lifestyle for my family. When I relocated to Port Macquarie, I was offered financial assistance to support the move, and the opportunity to meet up with an existing audiology partner on the Mid-North Coast to get a feel of what the role would be like,” says Alison. 

This experience helped reinforce that Alison was indeed making the best decision for her career and for her family.  

Now working alongside Specsavers partner Sally Hardy in building the Port Macquarie Specsavers Audiology business, Alison is hoping that the two partners will build trust and provide the support which is second to none.  

“The Port Macquarie store opening is the first time two audiology partners have begun a business from the offset. I could not recommend Specsavers highly enough for consideration in future store openings. I have been so grateful to be paired with Sally whom I share both this business and journey. We were paired through Specsavers; however, we share similar clinical experience, and our values are aligned. We are also at similar positions in both our careers and life – and that allows us to juggle work, life and motherhood, with each covering the other’s workdays when needed, providing flexibility without having to cancel work. To have the support and someone to share ideas with during this opening has been amazing,” she says. 

And business expansion plans on are on the horizon! 

“Sally and I have the ambition and clinical experience to build Specsavers Audiology into one of the best and biggest hearing health care providers in Port Macquarie and surrounding areas.” 

“As an audiologist, I absolutely feel I have found my calling and I love going to work every day – to support those people with hearing and communication difficulties, to educate them about hearing loss and to help them reconnect to their world around them and their families,” says Alison.