Stu Hatton was born in Boston, England, and moved to Melbourne in 1986. He studied English and Philosophy at Melbourne University, edited a music zine, and worked in a video store. He has been teaching writing and editing at Deakin University.

Hatton's poetry has been published in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 2007, he undertook a mentorship with Dorothy Porter through the Australian Society of Authors.