Carolyn McCusker graduated from UWA Law School in 1970. She completed Diploma in Business Studies (with Distinction) from the London School of Foreign Trade. Ms McCusker was admitted to the Bar and joined McCusker & Harmer law firm becoming a partner. She later purchased restaurant and became chief cook and bottle-washer. Ms McCusker also worked for a number of years with her partner Alan Jordan (a mining engineer) as an underground gold miner with hoist driver and shot-firer’s certificates. She is the sister of Malcolm McCusker.