She completed her B.A. at the University of Sydney in 1992. After a brief stint in the corporate world, she took up the position of general manager of the Australian National Playwrights Centre. There she focused on the development of new Australian drama, through the running of the National Playwrights Conference. Kate then moved into film and earned her M.A. at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in 2000.