Van der Walt briefly worked for the National Department of Education.

The newly elected DA Parliamentary Leader Mmusi Maimane selected her to be the Shadow Deputy Minister of Basic Education.

Van der Walt was elected the Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in February 2015.

[12] On 5 June 2019, Van der Walt was named Shadow Deputy Minister of Basic Education.

[13] Following her election as Caucus Chairperson, Van der Walt was appointed an Additional Member of the Basic Education portfolio of John Steenhuisen's Shadow Cabinet on 21 April 2023.

[14] Van der Walt resigned from the National Assembly on 30 April 2023, in preparation for her return to the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, to replace Jacques Smalle, who in turn would be taking up her seat in the National Assembly.

Van der Walt was, in turn, appointed to take up Wilson's seat in the National Assembly.