It was created in 1995, when the three-electorate, Hare-Clark electoral system was first introduced for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

"Brindabella" is derived from an indigenous word meaning "two kangaroo rats" and refers to the mountain range to the south and west of the ACT.

[1] The Brindabella electorate consists of the large part of the ACT south of the Murrumbidgee River, although this region is sparsely inhabited.

From 1995 to 2008 it contained the Canberra district of Tuggeranong, excluding Hume, and the Woden Valley suburbs of Chifley, Pearce and Torrens.

At the 2019 redistribution, the western side of Kambah was transferred back into Brindabella.