Simon Birmingham grew up in South Australia in the town of Gawler and had his early education there. He then went on to the University of Adelaide. He has said that his grandmother, who was a school principal, was one of the major influences on him to enter the world of politics.
He graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Master of Business Administration. He began his political career by working as an electorate office. He then moved from federal politics to state politics.
In 2000 he moved to Canberra and became a manager of public affairs. This was for the Australian Hotels Association (AHA). Later in 2001 he became the chief of staff for the minister of tourism and innovation in South Australia. He then worked with the Winemakers Federation of Australia until 2007 when he was appointed to the Senate.
When he was 29 years old, Simon Birmingham managed to win preselection in the Liberal Party for the Hindmarsh seat in the 2004 federal election. He however narrowly lost the seat to a Labor candidate.
After this, he tried to fill the vacancy in the Senate in 2006 but failed. After that, he won a preselection for Senate candidacy for the 2007 federal election. When he was appointed to the Senate, he was then the youngest member. He has since been a politician who is aligned with the moderate elements of the Liberal Party.
In fact, with the ousting of Malcolm Turnbull from the position of Prime Minister, Simon Birmingham then became considered as the most senior moderate in the Liberal Party, which has become more hard-line conservative since.
Simon Birmingham has historically been a very active member of Australian politics and has served on a wide range of committees.