[2] Mathews became a barrister in 1969, practising in criminal law and was appointed counsel assisting the Royal Commission on Human Relationships which had broad terms of reference to "inquire into and report upon the family, social, educational, legal and sexual aspects of male and female relationships".
The Commission covered topics as diverse as abortion, domestic violence, the police and courts’ treatment of rape victims and discrimination faced by gays and lesbians.
[9] In 1994 the Attorney-General Michael Lavarch offered Mathews the role of President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal which involved being appointed to the Federal Court.
In 1996 Mathews was appointed to prepare a report on Aboriginal Heritage issues in relation to the Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy.
The High Court held that her appointment, even though conferred on Mathews personally (referred to as persona designata), was incompatible with her role as a federal judge.
[12] In 2005 Mathews was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the judiciary, to the legal profession, to the University of NSW, and to music.