Carter has been acting since the age of six and started her first classes at the Bouverie Street Theatre in Carlton, Melbourne. She graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1994. She is perhaps best known for her starring role as Tess Silverman McLeod in the hit Nine Network television series McLeod's Daughters; she appeared on the show for its first six seasons. She was nominated for many Silver and Gold Logies for her performance as "Tess McLeod", including the industry-voted Most Outstanding Actress in 2004.
In early May 2004, she married clothing designer Michael Wilson; they have two children.
In 2007, she won the seventh season of Australian Dancing with the Stars with her dance partner, Craig Monley.
In 2009, she reunited with her McLeod's Daughters costar Aaron Jeffery in A.R. Gurney's Love Letters. She appeared in No Names No Packdrill at Sydney's Parade Theatre in 2006.
Carter's recent television credits include Wild Boys for the Seven Network and Rescue: Special Ops for the Nine Network, both in 2011. Other television credits include G.P., Water Rats, All Saints, Home and Away, Murder Call, and Above the Law, where she had the starring role of Senior Constable Debbie Curtis. Her film credits include Princess Pictures' I Love You Too, Fresh Air, and the short film, There's A Hippopotamus on My Roof Eating Cake.
