Armadale was created at the 1982 redistribution out of parts of the seats of Dale and Gosnells. It was first contested in the 1983 election at which Labor member Bob Pearce, who had previously represented Gosnells, was successful. The seat has been regarded as very safe for the Labor Party since its creation, and at the 2001 election, the Liberal Party did not even field a candidate for the seat. It was held from 1996 until 2010 by Alannah MacTiernan, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure in the Gallop and Carpenter governments.