Beasley grew up in Adelaide, South Australia and completed undergrduate studies at Adelaide University before moving to Sydney where he completed postgraduate studies at Sydney University and worked as a solicitor until 1997. He was admitted as a barrister in New South Wales in 1997.

Beasley has published two novels, Hell Has Harbour Views (2001) and The Ambulance Chaser (2004). The books are both set in Sydney and are about corrupt law firms and insurance companies respectively. His first novel was adapted as a television film, first aired on Australian ABC TV in 2005.