Garth is a Charles Sturt University graduate, having completed a BA/BSW (Hons) in 2001. He commenced teaching at the Port Macquarie campus of CSU in February 2012, having previously taught counselling programs through Melbourne's Cairnmillar Institute. Garth has filled a broad range of social work practice roles, including work in the disability field, child and family services, counselling and aged care. He has also filled project roles with NSW Health and undertaken policy work in health, ageing and community services in a Federal Parliamentary office. Garth currently balances his academic work with the CEO role at Endeavour Mental Health Recovery Clubhouse in Port Macquarie.