Dr Carnley graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1994 with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. The Royal Australian College of Physicians accepted Dr Carnley as a fellow in 2004 and in 2005 Dr Carnley became a member of the Royal College of Pathologists.

Dr Carnley has an active clinical practice and is engaged in research as an investigator on over 200 clinical trials and research projects. He is the West Australian Councillor of the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand and is the Australian Clinical Laboratories Clinical Director of Haematology (WA).