The Fremantle District Road Board was gazetted on 24 January 1871. It covered a large area between Fremantle and Armadale and included what are now several local governing bodies, among them Canning, East Fremantle and Melville. On 26 November 1891 the Jandakot Road board had been gazetted. On 13 August 1923 part of the Jandakot Road Board was transferred to Fremantle Road Board.

In 1897 the East Fremantle Municipal Council was established and in 1900 the East Fremantle Road Board was proclaimed. The latter subsequently became the Melville Road Board. In 1955 a district referendum favoured a change of name to the Cockburn Road board.

By an order-in-council gazetted on 21 January 1955, the Fremantle Road Board became the Cockburn Road Board.

On 21 January 1955 the name of the Fremantle Road Board was changed to Cockburn Road Board. On 1 July 1961, in line with other Road Boards in the State, the Cockburn Road Board became the Shire of Cockburn.

In line with other Road Boards in the State, the Cockburn Road Board became the Shire of Cockburn on 1 July 1961. From 24 January 1971 it became the Town of Cockburn.

On 24 December 1970 an Order-in-Council was gazetted declaring the Shire of Cockburn was to become the Town of Cockburn on 24 January 1971. On 31 August 1979 an Order-in-Council was gazetted declaring that the Town of Cockburn was to become the City of Cockburn on 26 October 1979.

On 26 October 1979 the Shire of Cockburn was proclaimed the City of Cockburn.