The division is named after Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, a pioneer aviator, who was the first pilot to fly across the Pacific Ocean.

The division was proclaimed at the redistribution of 11 May 1949[citation needed], and was first contested at the 1949 federal election.

[4] The division is located to the south and south-east of Sydney CBD, on the north shore of Botany Bay, and the coast of the Tasman Sea.

The division includes the suburbs of Kingsford Smithmeadow, Botany, Chifley, Coogee, Daceyville, East Botany, Eastgardens, Eastlakes, Hillsdale, Kensington, Kingsford, La Perouse, Little Bay, Malabar, Maroubra, Maroubra Junction, Mascot, Matraville, Pagewood, Phillip Bay, Port Botany, and South Coogee; as well as parts of Clovelly, Randwick, and Rosebery.

Bare Island, Prince Henry Hospital, and the University of New South Wales are also located in the electorate.