Ballina was originally created in 1894, when the three-member electorate of Richmond was divided into Richmond, Lismore and Ballina. In 1904, Ballina was replaced by Byron. In 1988, a recreated Ballina and Murwillumbah replaced Byron.
The 2013 NSW state electoral redistribution once again changed the boundaries of the electorate, so at the next election it would comprise the entire shires of Ballina and Byron.
The Greens won the seat of Ballina at the 2015 state election, bringing their lower house representation to three seats. It became the first rural seat in any Australian parliament outside Tasmania to be won by the Greens.