[5] Burns performances resulted in a call in early 2013 up to the Australia A to face the touring party from England, where he scored 114 in a one-day game,[6] not long after being named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year.

[7] Burns continued his good form on his return to Australia and was top scorer for the Brisbane Heat in their win over Perth Scorchers in the final of the 2012–13 Big Bash League season.

[8] Burns performances brought him to the attention of Leicestershire who signed him as a replacement for their overseas player, Ramnaresh Sarwan, between May and August of the 2013 County season.

[9] This was curtailed in July, when a hip injury forced Burns to end his spell in England and return home to Queensland.

[11] In December 2017, Burns scored his maiden first-class double century, batting for Queensland against South Australia in the 2017–18 Sheffield Shield season.

[13] In 2019, he signed with Lancashire ahead of the 2019 County Championship in England,[14] but returned to Australia for personal reasons after making only one appearance.

[15] In April 2021, Burns was signed by Lahore Qalandars to play in the rescheduled matches in the 2021 Pakistan Super League.

[16] In December 2014, Burns was selected to play for Australia in the Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground following an injury to all rounder Mitchell Marsh.