 Born to parents Ted and Noreen, Smith grew up in the Sydney suburbs of Strathfield, Beverley Hills, Coogee, and Maroubra and the regional town of Goulburn.He was educated at St. Joseph's Primary School, Goulburn and Marcellin College, Randwick and graduated from the University of Sydney Law School with a Bachelor of Laws.In 1987, Smith became a public prosecutor, and he eventually became Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.