It is an erect to ascending herb with cylindrical to narrow linear leaves at the base of the plant and racemes of yellow flowers.

Goodenia filiformis is an erect to ascending herb that typically grows to a height of 10–25 cm (3.9–9.8 in) with cylindrical to narrow linear leaves 40–90 mm (1.6–3.5 in) long and 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) wide at the base of the plant.

[2][3] Goodenia filiformis was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.

[6] This goodenia grows in winter-wet places in near-coastal areas between Princess Royal Harbour and West Cape Howe in the south-west of Western Australia.

[3][2] Goodenia filiformis is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.