He graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Arts (honours); and was a senior secondary college teacher between 1975 and 1997.

[1] At the 1998 federal election, Sidebottom defeated sitting Liberal Member for Braddon, Chris Miles.

[1] Many put this down to concern about loss of forestry jobs under Labor's environment policy, which had the potential to adversely affect Sidebottom's electorate.

[citation needed] Sidebottom subsequently won back the seat at the 2007 federal election, defeating Baker.

On 14 December 2011, Sidebottom was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry[1] in the Second Gillard Ministry.