She has been a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since the 2014 state election, representing the seat of Geelong.

[5] Following the death of her husband, Couzens eventually became a volunteer organising programs and camps for Corio Community Health, saying of the time that it "was just something to do".

[5] In the years that followed, Couzens began a degree in social science[5] while working full time, often completing assignments after midnight as her children slept.

[5] Couzens contested the 2006 state election in the unwinnable fourth position on the Labor ticket in the Legislative Council's Western Victoria Region.

[6][7] Couzens won preselection for the state seat of Geelong for the 2014 election unopposed, following the retirement of Ian Trezise.