[3][4] Commencing further education at the Australian National University, Smith completed a Masters of Economics in 1990 and graduated with a PhD in 1994.

[6] Smith joined the Office of National Assessments in 2000, where she was Assistant Director-General in the International Economy Branch until 2003.

She worked at the Treasury from 2003 to 2005, before returning to the Office of National Assessments between February 2005 and August 2010.

[7] In August 2010, Smith joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a Deputy Secretary.

She lost her job in December 2019 as part of changes made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to the structure of departments.