McVeity was the daughter of an Army officer and moved frequently during her childhood. She gained a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University in 1975. After some years skiing in Austria and Australia she became a Maths and English teacher. In her spare time she freelanced for national newspapers and magazines. McVeity became the head of the Australian chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and was the first Australian ever elected to their International Board of Directors, serving as Board Chair for two years from 2004-2006. She lived in Melbourne. McVeity wrote for the Crackers, Zipper Books, Foundations, Insights and Supa Dooper series of readers.