Although Hemming migrated to Australia in 1949, her first published story, 'Loser Takes All' was in the British magazine Science Fantasy in 1951. 

She mainly wrote science fiction, notably for the all-Australian Thrills Incorporated (Transport Publishing), but also British magazines such as New Worlds and Nebula SF. Under the name Nerina Hilliard, she also wrote romance novels for Mills & Boon in the late fifties.

Hemming was actively involved in the Sydney science fiction fan scene and wrote plays for several annual science fiction conventions: That's the Way It Goes (1954), The Carson Effect (1955) and The Matriarchy of Renok (1958).

Hemming had only twenty short stories and three romance novels published before her career was cut short by breast cancer at the age of 32. A further three romance novels were published posthumously.

She is commemorated by the Australian Science Fiction Foundation's Norma K. Hemming Award, established at the World Science Fiction Convention in Melbourne, September 2010.