Raelene commenced her career in veterinary nursing in 1996, following a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Macquarie University, when she discovered her interests lay elsewhere. She has since gained extensive experience working in veterinary hospitals across Maitland, Orange and the Bega Valley.

Since 2001, Raelene has taught Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing with TAFE NSW. She worked full-time as a teacher before progressing to the role of Head Teacher, a position she held in Orange, NSW, prior to relocating to the South Coast. There, she worked in veterinary nursing and practice management while continuing to teach Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing part-time with TAFE NSW. Raelene also had an 18-month period where she wrote curriculum and Standard Operating Procedures for the TAFE Animal Care and Management sector.

Most recently, Raelene taught Science and Agriculture at Sapphire Coast Anglican College, where she also coordinated the school's cattle show team, before joining Charles Sturt University (CSU).