Nicole is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University. She has been at the forefront of research efforts to improve the developmental and mental health outcomes of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental conditions. Nicole founded the AFR award winning AllPlay^TM platform est. 2014 taking a strengths-based approach to disability and turning this into scalable and cost-effective platform for children and their families.  Nicole served as Director (Medical Research) on the Board of AMAZE (Autism Victoria) 2014-2023. She is an expert advisor to the Victorian Department of Education and Training (2020-present) and has contributed to the NHMRC Clinical Practice Statement for ADHD and to the revision of the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines for Developmental Disabilities.

Over the last decade her research has impacted the lives of millions of children and their families through pivotal partnerships with the Victorian and NSW Departments of Education, the AFL, Queensland Ballet, and most recently Beijing Dance Academy - AllPlay China.  Her research is inspired by the families and children with neurodevelopmental conditions who she has worked with over the last 2 decades in public, community, and private health sectors.  Nicole and her team are grateful for the long-standing partnership with the Moose Happy Kid’s Foundation, national and global philanthropic, government and industry partnerships who support our ‘AllPlay moonshot’ to ‘make the world fit for all kids’.  

Professor Rinehart’s career leadership highlights include - Deputy Director, Centre of Developmental Psychology & Psychiatry, Monash Medical Centre, Consultant at the Melbourne Children’s Clinic, Professor & Director of the Monash Psychology Clinic, School of Psychology and Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Founding Director of the Deakin Child Study Centre, and Head & Director of the re-imagined Monash Krongold Clinic, opened in October 2023 by the Hon Bill Shorten, MP. 

Nicole’s was the recipient of the College of Clinical Psychologists Rising Star Award, the Queens Trust for Young Australians Award, Soroptimists International Award (Women in Research) and the Australian Financial Review Award for Community Engagement.