Born in Wellington, New Zealand into a family of German descent, she starred in her first advert at only 18 months of age.

Her debut film performance was when she was five years old, in the New Zealand film Dangerous Orphans. Her Australian debut television performance was as Louisa in the miniseries Mirror, Mirror in 1995.

From 2001-03, Banas played main character Marissa Taylor in the Seven Network drama Always Greener.

In 2002, she had a small role in the film adaptation Scooby-Doo.

Banas is an accomplished singer, and in 2003 released a single, "Kissin' The Wind", which made the top 30 on the Australian Recording Industry Association singles chart.