Clifton started out on radio stations 3CR and 3RMT-FM in the 1970s. She has also worked for Radio National and 774 ABC. Clifton has also done voice-over work for commercials and audio books.

Clifton has also acted extensively in film and the stage and in various television programs. Films include The Clinic and A Slice of Life. Stage roles include The Pack of Women and Mum's the Word. Television appearances include Sweet and Sour and a guest appearance in Carson's Law. She has acted in an episode of Shock Jock (on Foxtel's TV1) playing Barry Gold's mother.

Clifton also performed with Betty Bobbitt and Colette Mann as part of a three-woman troupe, The Mini Busettes, in the 1980s in RSL's across Australia.

In September 2010, it was announced that Clifton would be joining the cast of Neighbours as Judge Willow. Her scenes will air in November.

Clifton is also an accomplished singer. In the late 1970s she was a member of new wave band Stiletto which had a number of releases on the Oz label. In the early 1980s she had several Australian hit singles, including "Taxi Mary" recorded with Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, and the song "The Girl on the Wall" taken from the show The Pack of Women. She has more recently released a CD entitled The Marriage Of Style

Clifton is also the author of novels Half Past Dead and A Hand in the Bush.

Clifton is a registered Civil Celebrant and performs marriage ceremonies.

She is also an accomplished public speaker and can be hired for private functions through her agent.