Since 1980 it has been located in the southern suburbs of the two largest cities in Western Australia, Perth and Mandurah.

A 2015 Canning by-election, triggered on 21 July following the death of Liberal Don Randall, was held on 19 September.

Political analysts agreed the by-election was a "good outcome for both major parties".

[5] In August 2021, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) announced that the Shire of Boddington would be transferred to the seat of O'Connor, while the Gosnells suburbs of Kenwick, Maddington, Orange Grove and part of Martin would be transferred to Burt.

In addition it was announced the electorate would be jointly named after Sadie Canning MBE, Western Australia's first indigenous nurse (1930–2008).