Burke first made state selection for New South Wales in the 1996 senior men's eight to contest the King's Cup at the Interstate Regatta within the Australian Rowing Championships.

[2] He held his seat in the Australian eight in 1998 and raced at the 1998 World Rowing Championships in Cologne to a sixth-place finish.

[3] At Sydney 2000 the Australian eight won their heat in a pace that blew away the eventual gold medallists Great Britain.

However, in the final they started slowly and their late sprint home left them 0.8 seconds behind the Brits at the line and taking the silver Olympic medal in a thrilling finish.

[4][2] Burke's record in winning two Grand Challenge Cups at the Henley Royal Regatta is a rare feat for British rowers, but never before achieved by an Australian oarsman.

He attended the University of Sydney where he obtained a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Commerce in International Business and Marketing.