She was a lawyer and trade unionist before entering politics, including serving as the assistant national secretary of the Australian Services Union (ASU) from 1995 till 2020.

[3] White worked as a solicitor for ten years before joining the Australian Services Union (ASU).

[4] She served as assistant national secretary with responsibility for "the union's national strategy in the private sector including the airline industry, IT and call centre industries and the non-government social and community services (SACS) sector".

She has also served as a director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image[3] and Statewide Super from 2019 to 2022.

[12] Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced her death and paid tribute to Senator White.