Jenny Macklin was born in Brisbane and grew up in country Victoria before moving to Melbourne to begin her university studies. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Honours, Ms Macklin was appointed as an adviser to the Victorian Minister for Health.

From 1990 to 1993 she was responsible for the National Health Strategy, a national review of Australia's health system. From 1994 to 1996, Ms Macklin was the director of another major policy review for the Federal Labor Government on urban and regional development.
In 1996 she was elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Jagajaga.
During her first term she held the Shadow Ministerial portfolios of Social Security, the Aged, Family and Community Services and Status of Women. After re-election in 1998 she became the Shadow Minister for Health and the Status of Women. Ms Macklin was elected to the ALP National Executive in 1998 and in 2000 was elected as the Senior Vice-President of the ALP.
Following the 2001 federal election, Ms Macklin was elected unopposed as Deputy Leader of the Opposition on 22 November 2001 and held that position until 4 December 2006.
With the election of the Rudd Labor Government, Ms Macklin was appointed Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.