Brisbane’s governance is distinct among Australian capital cities, with a significant portion of the Greater Capital City Statistical Area (GCCSA) under the jurisdiction of a single local government area: the City of Brisbane. This area, the largest local government area in Australia by population and budget, serves over 40% of the GCCSA's residents. Established in 1925 through the amalgamation of twenty smaller local government areas (LGAs), it spans 1,367 km² (528 sq mi). The remaining areas of the metropolitan region are governed by Logan City to the south, the City of Moreton Bay in the northern suburbs, the City of Ipswich to the southwest, Redland City to the southeast, and regions like Somerset, Scenic Rim, and Lockyer Valley on the urban fringe.

Each LGA operates under a similar governance framework, characterized by a directly elected mayor—most notably the Lord Mayor of Brisbane—and a council composed of councillors representing various geographical wards. Brisbane City Hall serves as the seat of the Brisbane City Council, with the majority of its executive offices housed in the Brisbane Square skyscraper.

As Queensland's capital, Brisbane hosts the Parliament of Queensland at Parliament House, located at Gardens Point in the Central Business District (CBD) and adjacent to Old Government House. The state’s Government House is situated in Paddington, while the primary executive offices of the Queensland government are located in the 1 William Street skyscraper. The Queensland Supreme and District Courts are based at the Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law on George Street, with the adjacent Brisbane Magistrates Court housing the magistrates' jurisdiction. Federal courts operate from the Commonwealth Law Courts building on North Quay.

Brisbane is also home to significant military installations, including the Australian Army's Enoggera Barracks and the historic Victoria Barracks, which now features a military museum. The Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Moreton base and the RAAF Base Amberley are located within the metropolitan area, providing strategic military capabilities.

The political landscape of Greater Brisbane encompasses five local government areas: the City of Brisbane, City of Ipswich, Logan City, City of Moreton Bay, and Redland City. Of these, the City of Brisbane is the largest and most populous. The Brisbane City Council comprises 27 members, including 26 councillors elected from single-member wards and one directly elected Lord Mayor.

In the Queensland Legislative Assembly, Brisbane is represented by 41 single-member electoral districts, while the House of Representatives features 17 single-member electoral divisions for the city.

Brisbane's political environment is notably diverse. Federally, the Liberal National Party (LNP) holds six seats, the Labor Party has four, and the Greens occupy three. At the state level, Labor dominates Brisbane with the majority of seats, while the LNP holds only five and the Greens possess two. Locally, the LNP maintains the Lord Mayoralty, with Adrian Schrinner serving as Lord Mayor, overseeing 20 of the 26 wards in the City of Brisbane, while Labor controls five, and the Greens and an independent hold one each. This multifaceted governance structure plays a crucial role in shaping the city's policies and community initiatives, reflecting Brisbane's vibrant and varied political landscape.