She was engaged in medical research in London and Shanghai, before returning to Melbourne, where she entered private practice in partnership with Dr. Kent Hughes.

In 1906 she helped found a medical inspection section for the Education Department in Tasmania, the first in Australia, and a similar organization in New South Wales, then in 1913 established the schools medical service in South Australia, where she started with a staff of two nurses.

Halley chaired the League from 1916 to 1922 and played an active role in motivating women in social and political spheres.

In 1920 she was one of the founders of the South Australian branch of the National Council of Women, serving on its committee for the initial ten years.

[2] She was a regular worshipper at the Clayton Congregational Church and a member of the League of Loyal Women during the Great War, and its chairman for many years.