Born in central western NSW, Carmel is a teacher, linguist and literacy specialist who has worked at various schools and institutions, including Yakanarra Community School in the 1990s, Broome Senior High School, Mabu Yawuru Ngan-ga language centre, Nyikina Mangala and Yiyili Aboriginal Community Schools. Carmel has had experience in community development and is an active member of the Society for Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals (SKIPA). She has a Bachelor of Education in Multicultural Education from Edith Cowan University, a Master of Applied Linguistics from Charles Darwin University and Cert III in Conservation and Land Management. Carmel is currently pursuing studies in Governance.