Clare grew up in Melbourne's south-east. 

After she finished school, Clare studied Law at Monash University in Clayton. While she was at university, Clare was elected to the City of Greater Dandenong Council and a year later she became mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong. 

After graduating from Monash Uni, Clare travelled to Harvard University in the US to study Public Policy. While she was there she lived in Boston and New York and worked in the New York Stock Exchange. 

Clare has served as an adviser to the Office of the Commonwealth Treasurer and has worked as a consultant with CEOs around Australia in key industries including mining, manufacturing, banking and retail. 

Clare has a special interest in economics, Indigenous Australia and the welfare of children. 

Clare was elected to Federal Parliament in 2013. She represents the electorate of Hotham in Melbourne's South East, which stretches from Oakleigh in the north to Springvale in the south and is home to over 130,000 people. Hotham is one of the most diverse electorates in Australia, with 35% of residents born overseas. 

Clare was appointed to the Shadow Ministry as the Shadow Minister for Justice in 2016 and was also appointed Shadow Minister for Financial Services in 2018. In July 2019, Clare was appointed the Shadow Minister for Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work, and since February 2021 Clare was the Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services. In 2022 Clare was appointed the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security and became a Cabinet member. 

Clare lives with her husband, Brendan, their two sons and their daughter.