 After attending Eltham High School and Wonthaggi Secondary College, Phelan studied architecture and English literature, graduating with a Master of Arts in Writing from RMIT while working for "The Age" newspaper.In 2015 he graduated with a Doctorate in young adult fiction from Swinburne University of Technology.In 2006, Phelan was selected as one of the Cleo 50 Most Eligible Bachelors in Australia.