Stamell was born in Sydney as the eldest of three children to George and Kerry, both teachers who became information technology professionals.

[6] Stamell is involved in the disability arts movement and was an original co-founder of Atypical Theatre Company in Australia.

As a consequence, she then went to England to study Shakespearean and Jacobean plays during a summer course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

[10] In 2005, Stamell returned to England after receiving funding from the Australia Council for a three-month secondment with the Graeae Theatre Company.

[8] Although otherwise filing a mixed review, Lyn Gardner of The Guardian wrote: "...the show raises interesting questions about humans' constant attempts to improve on nature, and as the diminutive heroine, Frieda, who longs to be Snow White but is always cast as a dwarf, Kiruna Stamell is outstanding.

In 2013, she appeared in Giuseppe Tornatore's film, The Best Offer, and a year later, starred in a production of Great Britain for the National Theatre.

[18] In January 2023, Stamell began appearing as receptionist Kirsty Millar in the BBC soap opera Doctors.

[19] Alongside co-stars Richard Atwill and Isaac Benn, Stamell was nominated for the Best Family accolade at the 2023 British Soap Awards.