Michael was raised on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He attended Auskick at the Sunshine Coast.[2] Carter played both junior and senior football with Maroochydore in the (QAFL). He was identified by the Brisbane Lions as a potential player as and added to the Under 18 Brisbane Lions Academy as a 16 year old.[3] Michael went on to represent Queensland at Under 17 level at the National Championships.[3] He was taken by the Lions as a 2020 Category B Rookie Selection and spent two years developing in the VFL with the Lions reserves.[citation needed]
