[4] Bairstow played for the South West Metro Pirates and Brisbane Capitals youth teams before attending the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra in 2009 and 2010.

In his freshman season, the young Lobo squad was led by senior Dairese Gary and transfer Drew Gordon and finished the year 22–13 with an appearance in the NIT.

Bairstow was a member of one of the most accomplished freshman recruiting classes in Lobo history, along with Kendall Williams, Tony Snell and Alex Kirk.

[11] In Bairstow's junior season, 2012–13, the Lobos jumped out to a 12–0 start against a difficult schedule and climbed into the national rankings, later peaking at No.

The team's offence struggled at times, leading to a couple of blowout losses, and Bairstow was inserted into the starting line-up in late January.

The Lobos won the MWC tournament championship, and Bairstow was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 13 points and 8.7 rebounds.

[6] The team suffered a disappointing upset to Harvard in the NCAA tournament, finishing the season 29–6, but Bairstow was one of the bright spots for the Lobos, tallying 15 points and 9 rebounds.

The Lobos completed the season 27–7, giving them a combined record of 106–33 during Bairstow's four years, making his the second-winningest class ever for the program.

[6] Bairstow gained attention during his senior season for his ritual of going to the weight room to lift after games, while still in uniform, receiving praise from opposing coaches and the media for his commitment and work ethic.

[21] He was honoured by the MWC as academic all-conference as a senior and earned a degree in Exercise Science at UNM; he aspires to study physiotherapy after his playing career has ended.

[25][26] He made his NBA debut on 29 October 2014 in the Bulls' season opener against the New York Knicks, recording one turnover and missing his only field goal attempt in three and half minutes.

[27] In his one start on 25 November against the Denver Nuggets, he played a season-high 18 minutes and 46 seconds and had two points, two rebounds, one assist and one block, but also accumulated four fouls and two turnovers and made just one of four field goal attempts.

[35] Due to a shoulder injury he sustained while playing for the Boomers at the Rio Olympics, Bairstow missed the Bullets' entire preseason schedule,[36] as well as the first two games of the regular season.

In his NBL debut on 16 October, Bairstow recorded 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench in a 96–93 overtime loss to the Adelaide 36ers.

[48] On 23 August 2022, Bairstow announced his retirement from basketball, citing the multiple injuries he had suffered, the mental toll of rehab and playing while injured as the main reasons for stepping away from the game.

[51] He excelled during his debut with the Boomers and carried that form into the 2013 Stanković Cup and World University Games, winning gold and silver respectively.

[40] Source: FIBA.com After his NBA rookie season, Bairstow organized a youth camp teaching basketball skills and fundamentals, running 26–28 June 2015 at The Pit in Albuquerque.

[57] Twenty-one former Lobo players took part in the game, including NBA veterans Danny Granger and Tony Snell, drawing an attendance of 9,497 fans at The Pit for an entertaining exhibition.