Capped 32 times for Australia's national team, the Wallabies, Higginbotham's usual positions are blindside flanker and number eight.

Higginbotham held the record for highest try-scoring forward in Super Rugby history until June 2023.

Rebels coach Damien Hill said that "[In Higginbotham] you've got one of the best ball-running, lineout jumping options in Australian rugby.

[13] In 2015, Higginbotham left the Melbourne Rebels after signing a two-year contract with the NEC Green Rockets, based in Abiko, Chiba, Japan.

On 17 February 2019, Higginbotham left Australia to join French side Bordeaux in the Top 14 competition ahead of the 2019–20 season.