[3] On 15 March 2024, he announced his retirement from red ball cricket after the final match of 2023–24 Sheffield Shield season.

Rather than attempt to become a specialist batsman, Wade moved to Victoria in the 2007/08 season, and within two years had established himself as the state's first choice wicketkeeper ahead of incumbent Adam Crosthwaite.

He made an important contribution to Victoria's win in the 2009/10 Sheffield Shield final against Queensland, when he came out to bat with the team at 5/60 and scored 96 runs.

[16] Mid-way through the 2018/19 season, Wade was appointed captain of Tasmanian team and the Hurricanes after a decision by Cricket Tasmania to remove George Bailey to focus on his batting performance.

In February 2012, he made his international breakthrough as a T20I player against India in Sydney, opening the batting and scoring 72 runs from 43 balls to earn the Man of the Match award.

He won the Man of the Match award on debut, scoring 67 runs off 69 balls against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

He retained his position as ODI wicketkeeper for a period of time, but was ultimately left out of the Australian 2015 Cricket World Cup squad for Haddin.

However, after the retirement of Brad Haddin at the end of 2014–15, Wade was recalled to the team for the ODI, and T20I series against England in 2015;[24] but, lost the Test wicketkeeping position to Peter Nevill.

[26] On 27 January 2017, he was named as ODI captain of Australia in injured Steve Smith's place for their series against New Zealand.

[29] In July 2019, Wade was added to Australia's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, as cover for Usman Khawaja, who was ruled out of the knock-out stage of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

[35][36] On 16 July 2020, Wade was named in a 26-man preliminary squad of players to begin training ahead of a possible tour to England following the COVID-19 pandemic.

[37][38] On 14 August 2020, Cricket Australia confirmed that the fixtures would be taking place, with Wade included in the touring party.

[39][40] On 6 December 2020, Wade captained Australia for the first time, leading the side in a T20I match against India at the SCG after Aaron Finch was ruled out due to injury.