Austin was born 'within the sound of Bow Bells' in Marylebone and, after a short spell in North London, his father's work took the Martin family to the Petworth area of East Sussex, where he was raised. He is married with four children and four grandchildren and moved to Orpington in 1970. After a career in banking, he was ordained Permanent Deacon in 1990. He lives in Downe village, within the Holy Innocents parish. Austin has now retired from his responsibilities as Deacon - although he has been known to carry out duties on special occasions - but when 'in harness' had pastoral responsibility for the villages of Cudham, Halstead, Knockholt and Downe. He also led a marriage preparation programme for engaged couples, acted as a director of the Catholic Children's Society, was a member of the Area Bishops Unity Commission and worked as Treasurer of Churches Together in London.

He is passionately interested in ecumenism and spends considerable hours working to promote Church Unity.

He is familiar to parishioners because of his white beard and happy smile.