When Christine Barnetson was 16-years-old she was named in the Australian swimming squad to compete at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Barnetson swam in the 200 metres breaststroke at the Games, but was disqualified in her heat for swimming with an incorrect stroke. Despite this setback she continued swimming competitively for a few more years, winning bronze in the 100 metres breaststroke at the 1967 Summer Universiade, also in Tokyo. She later graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Physical Education, becoming a teacher in the Western Australia school system. Barnetson then took an academic role at the WA College of Advanced Education, which later became the Edith Cowan University in Perth. She was inducted into the Swimming WA Hall of Fame in 2009.
Australia