The Gold Coast is governed by the City of Gold Coast Council, which consists of 14 elected councillors, each representing a division within the city. Tom Tate has served as mayor since 2012, continuing a legacy of leaders who have shaped the city's development, including Ron Clarke, Gary Baildon, Lex Bell, Ray Stevens, Ern Harley, and Sir Bruce Small—the latter being instrumental in the growth of the city's canal estates.

At the state level, the Gold Coast has 11 representatives in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, covering seats such as Bonney, Broadwater, Burleigh, Coomera, and Surfers Paradise. Federally, the city is split between five divisions in the House of Representatives: Fadden, Moncrieff, McPherson, Forde, and Wright.

Politically, the Gold Coast has traditionally leaned conservative, with the Liberal National Party (LNP) dominating the region in both state and federal elections. While Labor has had some success in specific areas like Labrador and Coolangatta, the broader Gold Coast electorate has remained a stronghold for centre-right politics. Since 1984, all three federal divisions covering the Gold Coast have been held by Liberal representatives, and the LNP has consistently won most state seats in the region, including a complete sweep in the 2012 Queensland state election.

With a strong local government structure and a well-established political identity, the Gold Coast continues to grow as a major economic and tourism hub in Queensland.