 Tee was born in South Africa and educated in Western Australia, and attended All Saints' College and the University of Western Australia, where he studied law.He subsequently gained admission as a solicitor, and practised with a commercial firm in Perth from 1992 to 1995.He was employed as an industrial officer by the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union from 1995 to 1999, and after a year in private practice, was employed by the Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.