He completed a diploma in farm management at Lincoln University in New Zealand, before returning to Sassafras to work on the family property.

[11] At a party-room meeting on the morning 8 April 2022, Rockliff was elected unopposed as the new leader of the Tasmanian Liberal Party, after Peter Gutwein had announced his resignation earlier that week.

[12][13] As Premier, Rockliff has continued the state government's negotiations with the Australian Football League in an attempt to gain a 19th team licence for Tasmania.

Rockliff has championed a proposed $715 million[14] multi-use stadium to be built in Hobart's Macquarie Point as a part of this bid.

[16] On 28 September 2023, attorney general Elise Archer resigned from cabinet after being asked to do so by Rockliff in response to allegations of bullying and subsequent leaks of information from the government against her.

On 13 February 2024, Rockliff called a snap election after his demands of a permanent supply and confidence deal were denied by the now independent MPs Alexander and Tucker due to continued disagreements.

[18] At the 2024 state election, the first since the expansion of the House of Assembly to 35 seats, the Liberal Party suffered a negative swing of 12 points but still finished with the largest share of the vote.

He subsequent reached confidence and supply agreements with the three Jacqui Lambie Network MPs and with independent MP David O'Byrne.

[24] Rockliff supported the Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the lead-up to the 2023 referendum, despite federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton's opposition.