It is located on the Armadale line, 4.8 kilometres (3 mi) from Perth station serving the suburbs of Burswood, Lathlain and Rivervale.

[1] The station was renamed Rivervale on 30 May 1923, mirroring that of the suburb that was renamed in 1921 in part due to the public's association of Burswood with sewage processing;[2] On 31 March 1968, a new platform opened.

Rivervale has survived as a suburb 600 metres (2,000 ft) east of the station.

[3][4] The station lies between Goodwood Parade and Victoria Park Drive.

[5] Burswood station is served by Transperth Armadale and Thornlie line services.