[1] Specialising in political journalism, she has written for and edited many significant Australian newspapers.

She is currently the chief political correspondent with The Conversation, Australia's largest independent news website.

Grattan was recruited by The Age newspaper in 1970, and joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 1971.

In 1996, Grattan joined The Australian Financial Review as a senior writer, and three years later, was appointed Chief Political Correspondent at The Sydney Morning Herald.

On 4 February 2013 she announced her resignation from The Age to take up a position as professorial fellow at the University of Canberra.