[2][4][5] On 21 December 1985, the day of his graduation from Central Queensland University, he was involved in a hit-and-run accident while riding a motorcycle.

[7] As of 25 October 2011[update], he was the acting dean of the Faculty of Science, Health and Education at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where he was also serving as the director of the Centre for Healthy Activities, Sport and Exercise.

[11] Burkett first represented Australia at the 1987 Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships, where he won a gold medal in the 100 m butterfly.

[4] At the 1988 Seoul Games, he won a silver medal in the Men's 4 × 50 m Freestyle Relay A1–A8 event.

[4][12] At the 1992 Barcelona Games, he won a bronze medal in the Men's 50 m Freestyle S9 event.

[13] He won a silver medal at the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games in the Men's 100 m Freestyle S9 event.

[5] He won a gold medal and again broke a world record in the Men's 50 m Freestyle S9 event at the 1999 European Championships; his father had died earlier that year.