Martin grew up in Melbourne and studied music at The Victorian College of the Arts with Jeffrey Crellin. Following his graduation in 1988, Martin took lessons with the English oboist, Anthony Camden, and soon after he went to Rotterdam, to complete his studies with Emanuel Abbuhl.

Martin gained his early orchestral experience in Australia and moved to New Zealand in 1995 to take the job of Principal Oboe in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, a position he held for thirteen years. During that time he regularly appeared as a soloist in New Zealand with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Auckland Chamber Orchestra and the Dunedin Sinfonia.

In 2008, Martin moved to the position of Principal Cor Anglais in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He appears from time to time with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as a guest on cor anglais and oboe.