Elliott was born in Aurukun and raised by his grandparents. He attended Aurukun Missionary School until the age of 14, before working as a herdsman at Bass Yard, outside Pormpuraaw. Pormpuraaw man Jackson Short Joe hired him for 12 months, allowing him to attend school in Pormpuraaw before returning to Aurukun.

He lived in a tin shack with his parents, brothers and sisters. There were around fifteen of them living there and receiving their supplies by plane every week, ordered using a two-way radio. For about three and a half years, Elliott and his family lived mainly by hunting and gathering in the bush – yams, goanna, wallaby and other bush foods. A cyclone unfortunately destroyed their tin shed, forcing them to hide in the bushes to try to survive.

Elliott Koonutta specializes in wood carving, painting and ghostnet sculpture. He is also a talented musician and singer.