The Division of Bullwinkel spans urban, peri-urban, and regional areas in Perth's eastern corridor, offering a diverse blend of communities. It contains suburbs located in the City of Kalamunda, Shire of Mundaring, City of Gosnells, and City of Armadale, as well as the LGAs of Toodyay, York, Northam, and Beverley. The division incorporates sections from the existing divisions of Hasluck, Durack, Swan, O'Connor, and Canning. 

Bullwinkel sees Western Australia return to 16 federal electoral divisions, reflecting the state’s continued population growth. 

The division is named after Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, AO, MBE, ARRC, ED (1915-2000), an Australian Army nurse and the sole survivor of the Bangka Island Massacre during World War II. The name Bullwinkel was chosen to honour her remarkable bravery and unwavering commitment to service.