[4] In 2013, Bairstow moved to the United States to play college basketball for the Central Oklahoma Bronchos in the NCAA Division II.
[5] After playing for the South West Metro Pirates in the QBL in 2015 and 2016,[3] Bairstow joined the Brisbane Bullets as a development player for the 2016–17 NBL season.
[2][7] Bairstow played three more seasons for the South West Metro Pirates in the QBL between 2017 and 2019.
[3][8] He returned to the Brisbane Capitals in 2020 and helped them win the Queensland State League (QSL).
[13][14][15] He returned to the active roster later that month following the season-ending injury to Bryce Cotton.
[18] On 7 July 2021, Bairstow signed a three-year contract with the Tasmania JackJumpers, a team entering the NBL for the first time in 2021–22.
[26] On 12 July 2024, Bairstow signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2024–25 NBL season, returning to the team for a second stint.