After completing his education at Marist Brothers College in Randwick, Ted Roberts worked in advertising and sales promotion before commencing his career as a freelance writer for television and film.
Among his early writing assignments were episodes for several series from the late 1960s and early 1970s, notably Skippy (1969-70), The Rovers (1970), Spyforce (1971), Barrier Reef (1971-72), Homicide (1970-72), Division 4 (1970-72), The Spoiler (1972), and Boney (1972-73). He later wrote scripts for such shows as Elephant Boy (1973), Castaway (1974), Three Men of the City (1974), The Seven Ages of Man (1975), Rush (1976), The Outsiders (1976), Catspaw (1978), and Patrol Boat (1979).
During the 1980s, Roberts was a principal writer for A County Practice (1983-85); the mini-series Silent Reach (1983), Body Business (1986), and Cyclone Tracy (1986); Willing and Abel (1987); and Mission Impossible (1988-89). He also wrote scripts for Menotti (1981) and Bellamy (1981).
His credits in the 1990s include G.P. (1992-93), Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1993-94), Murder Call (1997), and Water Rats (1999-00). Since 2000, he has contributed episodes to All Saints (2002) and Blue Heelers (1994-2006).
Roberts's film scripts include Lindsay's Boy (1974), Polly My Love (1975), The Amorous Dentist (1982: part of the ABC's true-cime anthology series Verdict), A Descant for Gossips (1983), The Settlement (1984), Bush Christmas (1983), Just Us (1986), and The Territorians (1996).
In addition to his writing career, Roberts has been engaged as a producer for such shows as Mission Impossible, Snowy River, and Water Rats.