Australia take on Pakistan in the Middle East next month and the 31-year-old Hilfenhaus was called up to replace Shane Watson (calf) for the two-Test series on Sunday.
The Tasmanian last played a Test in 2012 and is hungry to make the most of his opportunity.
"Obviously it's disappointing for 'Watto' not being available, but I'm very happy to get another chance at the next level," Hilfenhaus told Cricket Australia's website.
"I know that if I get back bowling to the way I was a couple of years ago then it's hopefully going to be good enough to get another crack at that level.
"It's unfortunate for the blokes that are currently injured – but it's given me another opportunity."
Hilfenhaus has an impressive record at Test level, with 99 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 28.50.
The pitches in the UAE are unlikely to be conducive to the new-ball swing that Hilfenhaus produces, but he is hoping to trouble Pakistan with the older ball.
And the experience of playing in India before the Test series – Hilfenhaus is currently representing the Hobart Hurricanes in the Champions League Twenty20 – could hold him in good stead.
"Any time you get an opportunity to play on these sub-continent wickets you make the most of them, so to get the chance before that tour is, hopefully, beneficial," he added.
"Reverse swing is probably going to be a factor [in the UAE] I would have thought and there's probably not going to be a lot of pace in the wicket.
"They're things that we've come across before and we just have to make sure we have good plans to accommodate those conditions."