She has been a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since November 2014, representing the electorate of Macedon.
[2] Thomas studied at Wodonga High School, and completed a teaching degree at the Melbourne College of Advanced Education.
She began her career as a secondary teacher, then worked in the union movement before becoming an advisor to Lynne Kosky, the Minister for Post-Compulsory Education, Employment and Training.
She has also held roles in the Victorian public service in Education, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where she was Head of Communications.
She had previously contested Labor pre-selection for the Federal seat of Batman, but lost to then Senator David Feeney.