Jackie Kelly graduated with a law degree from the University of Queensland, where she was awarded a University Blue for her sporting achievements and contribution to University life.

In 1987 she commenced work with the Corrective Services Department of Queensland and worked as a Probation and Parole Officer. In May 1989 Kelly was admitted to practice as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland. From 1989-1996 she was a Legal Officer with the Royal Australian Air Force and in June 1995 she was awarded the Helsham prize for her services to the RAAF Legal Category.

In 1986, Kelly represented Australia in the under 23s rowing and she has completed in the 1994 World Masters rowing in Brisbane (2 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), the 1997 Australian Masters Rowing Championships in Canberra (1 gold, 1 bronze) and the 1997 World Masters Rowing Championships in Adelaide (2 gold).

Kelly was the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Sydney 2000 Games and her committee service includes: Member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts 30 May 1996 - 11 September 1996 and the Industry, Science and Technology Committee from 24 September 1997. Appointed Federal Minister for Sport and Tourism on 21 October 1998 until 26 November 2001 when she was made Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Married with one child, Kelly enjoys participating in team sports such as hockey and netball.

Sources used to compile this entry: Australian Parliament House, 'The Hon Jackie Kelly MP, Member for Lindsay (NSW)', http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/biography.asp?id=GK6; Competitive Australia: Jackie Kelly's Biography, http://www.minister.industry.gov.au/kelly/body_index.html; Fitzherbert, Margaret, So Many Firsts: Liberal Women from Enid Lyons to the Turnbull Era, The Federation Press, Leichhardt, NSW, 2009, 286 pp; Herd, Margaret (ed.), Who's Who in Australia 2002, 38 edn, Crown Content, Melbourne, 2002, 2020 pp; Liberal Party of Australia NSW Division, 'Women in the Party', http://www.nsw.liberal.org.au/women_in_politics/women_in_politics/women_in_the_party.html; http://web.archive.org/web/20020204140054/http://www.jkellymp.penrith.net.au/personal.htm (original website accessed 14/11/2001); http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/biography.asp?id=GK6 accessed 14/11/01.