Hughes played for the Sydney RoostersSG Ball Cup team before being signed by the Gold Coast Titans in 2012.[3] He played for the Gold Coast NYC team from 2012 to 2014.
Hughes joined the new Queensland Cup side, the Townsville Blackhawks.[5] In September, he was named at fullback in the 2015 Queensland Cup Team of the Year. Hughes was named Blackhawks' Best Back and Players' Player.[6]
After the retirement of Billy Slater and injury to Scott Drinkwater, Hughes began the 2019 season playing fullback. Following consistent performances for the Storm, Hughes made his international debut for New Zealand Kiwis against Tonga. He scored a try on debut and played off the bench.
In round 23, Hughes made the move to halfback to accommodate Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback at the expense of usual halfbackBrodie Croft. Hughes would remain there for the remaining games of the 2019 season, scoring a try in the finals series however the Storm would lose in the preliminary finals to 2018 grand final opponent, the Sydney Roosters in a tight game 14–6.
Hughes would make the permanent move into the halves in 2020 usually partnering Cameron Munster, but occasionally partnering with Cameron Smith. This transition would prove successful with Hughes starting at halfback in Melbourne's 26–20 2020 NRL Grand Final over Penrith.[12]
Hughes would cap a personally successful 2021 season by being awarded the Melbourne Storm Player of the Year award, also being crowned as the 2021 Kiwi Player of the Year. He would also fill in as Melbourne Storm captain for the first time in 2022, re-signing with the club until the end of the 2026 NRL season.[13]
In 2022, Hughes started at halfback for the first time in his fourth test match representing New Zealand Kiwis.[14] Hughes would score the opening try in the Kiwis 26–6 win against Tonga.[15]
Hughes played 22 games for Melbourne in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished third on the table. Hughes played in Melbourne's preliminary final loss against Penrith.[16]