Wortley has a Bachelor of Education (Communication Studies) from the University of South Australia and a Diploma of Teaching from the Salisbury College of Advanced Education.
She has previously been employed as a primary school teacher, a journalist and state secretary for the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
[3][4] Wortley was placed third on South Australian Labor's Senate ticket at the 2004 federal election and was elected, commencing her six-year term on 1 July 2005.
[4] Wortley won the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Torrens at the 2014 state election.
[5][6] She is a member of the Public Works and Social Development committees.