Tanner grew up in Victoria, Australia, graduating from the University of Ballarat in 1993, with a Bachelor of Performing Arts.

[2] Tanner began her career in theatre and made several guest appearances on Victorian based productions before landing her first big role as Zoe Marshall in the short lived Channel 9 soap Pacific Drive from 1996 to 1997.

[3] Tanner then moved to Sydney, Australia to pursue more acting opportunities and in 1998, began starring in the hospital drama All Saints[4] as Bronwyn (Bron) Craig until she exited the series in 2003.

[3] In 2015 Tanner was announced for series three of Australian prison drama Wentworth, playing forensic psychologist Bridget Westfall.

[7] During her run on All Saints, she gained a total of seven Logie nominations in categories including Most Popular New Female Talent and Most Outstanding Actress and Best Personality on Australian Television.