She has been a Senator for New South Wales since 2015 and previously served as the party's national president from 2011 to 2015.

[3] She subsequently joined AECOM Australia Pty Ltd as Strategic Advisor Water and Climate (2010–2013), progressing to Technical Director – Infrastructure Advisory (2013–2014) and was managing director, Water and Urban Development (2014–2015) and a member of AECOM's ANZ executive when she resigned to join the Senate.

[8] In July 2014, Jenny McAllister was selected to run on the Labor senate ticket at the 2016 election in the number two position, replacing John Faulkner, and considered a winnable spot.

[3] Following the 2022 federal election, on 1 June 2022 McAllister was appointed the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

[16][3] McAllister is married to John Graham—former assistant general secretary of the NSW branch of the Labor Party and member of the Legislative Council.

[17] She also owns a property with her husband in Wentworth Falls in NSW, which is managed for the purposes of environment conservation and recreation.