[9] Cleary made his Australian representative debut at the 2013 Junior World Rowing Championships in Trakai, Lithuania when he was selected to race Australia's double scull which finished in overall sixth place.

[10] In 2015 he was selected in the bow seat of Australia's coxed for the World Rowing U23 Championships in Plovdiv; the crew finished fifth in the final.

With Cleary sculling and steering from the bow seat, the Australian quad kept their composure and technique and managed a bronze medal finish on the line.

[12] Antill and Cleary were selected as the likely Australian men's double scull to prepare for the 2022 international season and the 2022 World Rowing Championships.

[15] At the Rowing World Cup II in Varese, Italy Cleary raced as Australia's M2X entrant with Harley Moore.

[14] For the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade Serbia, Cleary was elevated to the Australian quad scull racing with Henry Youl, David Bartholot and Caleb Antill.