He moved to Sydney, Australia as a young man and went into private practice, later working for the federal government during World War II.

He was the son of English immigrant parents Frances Lillian (née Gormley or Gumley) and Robert Gillies Tate.

[1] After leaving school, he completed an apprenticeship with Panton & Son, a civil engineering and architectural firm in Timaru.

[2] Tate "built up a diverse private practice designing aeroplane hangars, theatres and various types of factories".

[4] In 1940, Tate joined the Department of the Interior as superintending architect, responsible for defences work programmes in New South Wales.

[1] He worked closely with chief planner Sidney Luker to prepare what became known as the Cumberland Plan, which "advocated decentralization, zoning, green belts, open spaces, and improved road and rail systems".

[2] In May 1949, Tate won preselection for the Liberal Party's Senate ticket in New South Wales at the 1949 federal election.

[1] Tate supported increased immigration and "saw population growth as essential to Australia's economic development and international standing".