From Victoria, Laurel gained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne and taught at schools in Victoria and Papua New Guinea before moving to the Kimberley in 1986 to work in Aboriginal education. She lived at Yakanarra community near Fitzroy Crossing for 20 years as the school administrator and principal, while raising a young family. In 2006, she moved to Broome and teaches at Broome Senior High School.