[8] Scaffidi was educated at Churchlands Primary School and Methodist Ladies' College after which she graduated as a dental therapist from the Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University).

[14][15] In May 2017 Western Australia's State Administrative Tribunal ruled that Scaffidi had committed 45 "serious breaches" of local government laws by failing to disclose gifts and overseas travel.

In the previous month Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan called on Scaffidi to step aside and stated that he would look at the means to sack the lord mayor if she did not resign.

[19] On 2 March 2018, the Minister for Local Government, David Templeman, indefinitely suspended the entire City of Perth council, including Scaffidi, while a government-appointed panel investigated its operation and conduct.

TV Sport personality Basil Zempilas was elected Lord Mayor and, to date, no suspended Councillor has been re-elected to Council, despite their nomination.