Perth, like the rest of Australia, is governed by a three-tiered system of government—local, state, and federal—each responsible for distinct areas of administration, policy, and law enforcement.

At the local level, the Perth metropolitan area is divided into 30 local government bodies, with the City of Perth overseeing the central business district. The city's outer administrative regions extend to the City of Wanneroo and the City of Swan to the north, the City of Armadale, the City of Kalamunda, and the Shire of Mundaring to the east, and the City of Rockingham and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale to the south and southeast. The region also includes the islands of Rottnest and Garden Islands off Perth's western coast. These local bodies manage municipal services and community development within their respective areas.

At the state level, Perth serves as the political heart of Western Australia, housing both the Parliament of Western Australia and the Governor’s residence. The city’s metropolitan area plays a key role in the state's legislative process, with 42 out of 59 seats in the Legislative Assembly and 18 out of 36 seats in the Legislative Council being based in Perth. Additionally, Perth is home to the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the District Court, and the Family Court, as well as six locations of the Magistrates' Court within the metropolitan area, which ensure the functioning of the state's legal system.

On the federal level, Perth is represented by 10 full seats in the House of Representatives and parts of three others, including the seats of Canning, Pearce, and Brand, which extend beyond the metropolitan boundaries. The city is also home to the Federal Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court, located at the Commonwealth Law Courts building on Victoria Avenue. This building serves as the venue for the annual Perth sittings of Australia’s High Court, highlighting Perth's critical role in the national judicial system.

This layered governance structure ensures that Perth's local communities, as well as the state and federal institutions, work together to maintain order, legislate policies, and serve the city’s diverse population.