Most recently, she has worked at La Trobe University researching gambling in partnership Aboriginal organisations and teaching social policy.

In December 2021, Kathleen Maltzahn participated as a speaker in an online event titled "Gender equality in and out of court: Affirmative consent, restorative justice and sexual assault law reform," hosted by Gender Equity Victoria and Sexual Assault Services Victoria.

Maltzahn served as a Greens councillor for the City of Yarra from 2004 to 2008, where she pushed for a greater emphasis on sustainability, social justice, and curbs on overdevelopment.

Following the rape of a woman in May 2005 that took place only metres away from the City of Yarra's Fitzroy town hall, the council relied on Kathleen's experience and leadership to form the council's Taskforce on the Prevention of Male Sexual Violence against Women, bringing together local sexual assault services, women's health organizations, Victoria Police, and the Victorian State government to implement measures to prevent sexual violence in the City of Yarra.

[15][16] In May 2018, after the Victorian branch of the Liberal Party passed a motion in support of the Swedish Model, Maltzahn stated “If I am elected to state parliament, I will vote in keeping with Victorian Greens policy, and will vote against the Nordic model, including if the Liberal Party introduces it.

Their agenda is anti-women and I have spent my career fighting for women’s rights.”[17] Maltzahn remains a controversial figure due to her stance on the issue and sex workers continue to protest against her at public events, including at the Greens 2018 election campaign launch.

[18] In 2004, Kathleen Maltzahn received a Research Award from RMIT University, along with Dr Sallie Yea and Georgina Costello for "Countering Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation in Australia".