His sister, Kathryn Refshauge, is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney.
Educated at Scotch College, Melbourne, Refshauge studied medicine at the University of Sydney, and after graduating, worked in NSW hospitals and later at the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern.
Angered by the dismissal of the Whitlam Government, Refshauge joined the Australian Labor Party.
Refshauge originally had planned to retire at the 2007 election but was prompted to go earlier with Carr's retirement and a request by the replacement premier, Morris Iemma that Refshauge stand aside to allow for a new Deputy Premier so that there could be a new leadership team.
But the time is right, I have decided it's right to leave.Refshauge presently holds a number of senior community leadership roles, including the Chairman of CareFlight (NSW), since December 2007;[6] a director of Family Care Medical Services, since 2007; a director of the Aged Care Standards Accreditation Agency, since 2008 and chair since 1 July 2012;[7] and the Chair of the Investment Committee of the Aboriginal Land Council of New South Wales, since 2008.