Growing up in the rural town of Alice Springs, Mat realised first-hand the disproportionate nature of health care provided to rural and regional Australians. Wanting to change this led him to his career in Medicine and Surgery. He completed his medical studies at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle in 2014. Following this, he trained at the Major tertiary hospitals of Western Australia before completing his fellowship in General Surgery in 2021. On completion, he also attained his membership to the Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) for gastroscopy and colonoscopy.

On completion of his general surgical training, he was selected as the inaugural fellow for the Australia and New Zealand Post Fellowship Training in Rural Surgery. In partnership with the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ), he completed a dedicated year of colorectal work at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, with significant exposure to inflammatory bowel disease, robotic surgery and pelvic floor pathology. His final year of fellowship was spent at the Ballarat Base Hospital, at which point, thoroughly enjoying his experience here, he decided to stay on as a consultant surgeon.

He holds two master’s degrees in surgery. A Master of Trauma (MTrauma) from the University of Newcastle, and a prestigious post fellowship Master of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MMinInvS) from the University of Adelaide.

Mr Jacob holds a senior lecturer and examiner role for the Deakin University Medical school. He is also an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons Clinical Exam. He has a passion for ensuring the next generation of doctors and surgeons are trained to a high level.

Mat offers a friendly, professional and patient centred approach to his patients.