Sharon Burley was born in Tripoli, Libya, because her father had been stationed there by the American Air Force to build a golf course, but she returned to Australia when she was only three-weeks old. Burley had the following placements at major international championships - Women: 1972 World Championships (19th); 1973 World Championships (21st); 1974 World Championships (26th); 1975 World Championships (25th); 1976 World Championships (22nd). She was the sister of Robyn Burley, figure skating world championship participant and AUS national champion.