 Prior to entering Parliament she worked as a political adviser to the Northern Territory's then Leader of the Opposition and the Queensland Labor Government.In October 2006 Nolan was recognised as the University of Queensland's Young Alumnus of the Year.Anna Bligh appointed Nolan Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth (Lindy Nelson-Carr) in her first Ministry.