As of 2025[update], he is a presenter on the TV panel show The Project on Network 10, and host of Mornings on ABC Radio Sydney.

Upon earning a journalism degree from Charles Sturt University in 2002,[2] Macdonald began a short stint as a reporter covering politics in Canberra with regional broadcaster WIN Television.

[6] Hamish later moved to Al Jazeera's London bureau, during which time he also acted as the UK correspondent for the Australian breakfast programme Sunrise.

Macdonald left the role after 18 months, stating that he was excited to be “moving into a new opportunity” and looked forward to working with the ABC in the future.

[10] The abuse Macdonald received on Twitter while hosting Q+A, which prompted him to deactivate his account in January 2021, contributed to his decision to leave the program.

[11] Similarly, another ABC presenter, Lisa Millar, also decided to quit the social media site in September 2021 due to the abuse she was also receiving while hosting News Breakfast.

[12] Both Macdonald and Millar's experiences prompted a public discussion about the high level of personal abuse and bullying Australian journalists face on Twitter, and how the platform can better manage the issue.

[12][13][14] As of 2023[update], Macdonald is a presenter and interviewer on Radio National's morning show, RN Breakfast,[15] and reports for Foreign Correspondent on ABC Television.