It is located on the Gawler line, 30.2 kilometres (18.8 mi) from Adelaide station.

A short branch line running almost due west to the Smithfield munitions storage depot was built during World War II.

The original station building and ticket office was demolished in June 1987.

[citation needed] Smithfield has two side platforms and is serviced by Adelaide Metro.

It is a designated high-frequency station, with trains scheduled every 15 minutes on weekdays, between 7:30am and 6:30pm.