Born and raised in Western Sydney, Irwin left school at the age of 16 to work in a bank and while studying at night.
During the early 1970's she worked for a number of Trade Unions and participated in the equal pay campaign. In 1976 she was appointed electorate secretary to NSW Deputy Premier Jack Ferguson.
From 1989-1998, Irwin worked as an electorate officer for Federal Schools, Vocational Education and Training Minister, Ross Free (1989-1995) and Member for Fowler, Ted Grace (1995-1998).
Since entering parliament she was Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Environment and Heritage Committee (1999 & 2000) and a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration and the House of Representatives Family and Community Affairs Committee.
Irwin is also a member of a number of Causcus Committees - Living Standards and Economic Development, National Security and Trade, Social Policy and Community Development and is Secretary of the Status of Women Causus Committee.
Married to Geoff (Member NSW Parliament 1984-1995), they have two children and her interests are centred on the community and family.

Sources: http://www.juliairwin.org/biography.htm accessed 14/11/01;
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/biography.asp?id+83Z accessed 14/11/01;
http://www.labor.net.au/emilyslist/candidates/can_irwin.html accessed 14/11/01;
http://www.alp.org.au/people/people.html?seat+Fowler accessed 14/11/01