Caitlin Collins was born on May 11, 1992, making her 34 years old. As a member of the Australian Labor Party, she serves in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly representing the electorate of Hillarys.
Elected during the March 2021 state election, she marked a historic milestone as the 100th woman ever elected to the Parliament of Western Australia. Her entry into public office arrived exactly a century after Edith Cowan became the first woman elected to an Australian parliament. Beyond her age and electoral milestones, understanding her background requires looking at her professional transition from education to state governance.
Early Life and Education
Born in Victoria before moving to Western Australia in 1996, Collins completed her secondary schooling at Iona Presentation College. She then pursued higher education at the University of Notre Dame Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with first-class honors majoring in history, politics, and international relations.
Following her undergraduate studies, she earned a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Western Australia. This academic foundation shaped her early career path, leading her into the classroom rather than straight into party headquarters.
Transition From Teaching to Politics
Before entering parliament full-time, Collins spent several years working as a high school teacher. She taught history, politics, and social sciences at several institutions across Perth, including St Norbert College, Servite College, and Scotch College.
Her pedagogical background heavily influenced her public platform. During her teaching years, she also engaged in international education work, teaching briefly in regions like India, Colombia, and Vietnam, alongside completing a parliamentary internship in Ireland. This combination of frontline youth engagement and international policy exposure laid the groundwork for her eventual shift toward electoral politics.
Electoral Breakthrough in Hillarys
Collins joined the Australian Labor Party in 2016. Her initial test in frontline electoral politics came during the 2017 state election, where she contested the safe Liberal seat of Cottesloe—previously held by long-serving Premier Colin Barnett. While she didn't win that contest, the campaign raised her profile within party ranks.
By 2021, she contested the marginal northern coastal seat of Hillarys. Riding a substantial Labor wave, she secured a decisive victory, flipping the seat from the Liberal Party. In the subsequent 2025 Western Australian state election, she successfully defended the electorate, cementing her status as a fixture in state politics. Official details of her ongoing parliamentary responsibilities are tracked via the Parliament of Western Australia.
Parliamentary Roles and Responsibilities
Since taking her seat in the Legislative Assembly, Collins has taken on multiple legislative and internal party responsibilities. She served as Acting Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and held roles on various parliamentary committees, including the Education and Health Standing Committee.
In early 2023, she was appointed Secretary of the State Parliamentary Labor Party. Following the 2025 election cycle, she took on executive support roles as a parliamentary secretary, assisting senior ministers across portfolios such as emergency services, corrections, and racing and gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Caitlin Collins' exact age?
Caitlin Collins was born on May 11, 1992, making her 34 years old.
Which electorate does Caitlin Collins represent?
She represents the electoral district of Hillarys in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly.
What is her political affiliation?
She is a member of the Australian Labor Party.
What did she do before entering politics?
Before her election to parliament, she worked as a secondary school history and politics teacher at several Perth schools, including Scotch College.
Why is her election historically notable?
When she was sworn into office in March 2021, she became the 100th woman to serve in the Parliament of Western Australia.
