The daughter of Danish immigrants to Australia, Albrechtsen was born in Adelaide and attended Seacombe High School.

[1] Her thesis was titled The regulation of the fundraising process in Australia: searching for an optimal mix between legislative prescriptions and market forces.

[1][5][6][7] She told reporters in late 2009 that she was planning to retire from the board, and completed her five-year term on 18 February 2010 without seeking reappointment.

[citation needed] Norman Abjorensen said he appreciated her view of Howard's legacy as not just a transformation of the Australian economy but also one of the Labor Party.

[14] Janet Albrechtsen was appointed a director of the Institute of Public Affairs in 2016, and as chairman in July 2018, replacing Rod Kemp, a position held until November, 2019.