After a guest role in
Division 4 in 1974, Jones had a role in
Power Without Glory, a hugely successful 1976 serialised adaptation of the historical
Frank Hardy novel. This was followed by a recurring role in period drama
The Sullivans in 1977 and a role as one of the titular tea ladies in short-lived situation comedy
The Tea Ladies the following year. In 1979, Jones played the role of Eddie’s landlady, Joyce Smith in the Australian version of British sitcom
Love Thy Neighbour. In 1980, she played the recurring role of Kathy Hall in
Prisoner and appeared as mother Lindy Parkes in six-part ABC children's drama series ''
Sam's Luck''. Jones' early film credits included ''
Dead Man's Float (1980), Blood Money (1980), Emerging (1985) and Bachelor Girl (1987). In 1988, she appeared in the drama film Mullaway, alongside Nadine Garner and Bill Hunter, which saw her nominated for an Australian Film Institute Award for Best Supporting Actress. Jones secured a main role in Neighbours'', as
Pam Willis, mother to
Adam (Ian Williams),
Gaby (
Rachel Blakely),
Brad (
Scott Michaelson) and
Cody (
Amelia Frid /
Peta Brady). She initially rejected the offer to appear in the series, as she was worried that she would be "selling her theatrical soul", but after losing a part in a play, she changed her mind. She played the role from 1990 to 1994, before returning briefly in 1996. During her tenure on
Neighbours, Jones also appeared in 1995 miniseries
Correlli, playing Sister Pat Riley, opposite
Hugh Jackman in an early role and
Deborra-Lee Furness. In 2001, Jones appeared in crime thriller feature film
The Bank, with
David Wenham and
Anthony LaPaglia. Jones appeared in the short film
Piñata, which premiered at the
Melbourne International Film Festival in 2009. She also performed the lead role of Holocaust survivor, Magda in 2011 short film ''Adam's Tallit''. From 2013 to 2014, Jones began playing the regular role of Tivolli family matriarch Rosa in two seasons of
ABC drama series
The Time of Our Lives, alongside
Claudia Karvan and
Justine Clarke. During the same time period, she had a recurring role in the
ABC comedy series
Upper Middle Bogan as Pat. In 2014, she also reprised her role as Pam Willis on
Neighbours for a guest stint, and then again in 2016, after Pam's husband
Doug (played by
Terence Donovan) lost his life in an explosion. The following year, she appeared in drama miniseries
The Cry as Mrs Wilson, alongside
Asher Keddie and
Ewen Leslie. Jones then had a guest role as Bev, opposite
Tim Minchin, in the second season of comedy drama series
Upright, in 2019. Jones' further television credits include roles in
Bluey,
Cop Shop,
The Flying Doctors,
G.P.,
Halifax f.p.,
Good Guys, Bad Guys,
Blue Heelers,
City Homicide,
Stingers,
SeaChange,
MDA,
Winners & Losers,
The Librarians,
Underbelly,
Last Man Standing and
Satisfaction. Jones has also had an extensive career in theatre, beginning with a performance in a 1976 production of
The Foursome for
Melbourne Theatre Company. Later in her career, she appeared in
Anthony Crowley's Shadow Passion at
Chapel Off Chapel in September 2007, in which she played the role of Margaret. Throughout her career, she has also performed in productions for
Playbox Theatre,
La Mama and
State Theatre Company of South Australia. ==Awards and nominations==