A sensitive platform for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in aqueous solution has been developed based on the gold nanoparticle-graphene-cysteine composite (Au-GN-Cys)modified bismuth film glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry(SWASV). The synergistic effect of cysteine as well as the enlarged, activated surface and good electricalconductivity of gold nanoparticles and graphene contributed to the deposition of Cd(II) and Pb(II) on theelectrode surface. Under the optimum conditions, a linear relationship existed between the currents andthe concentrations of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in the range between 0.50 g L−1to 40 g L−1with the detectionlimits of 0.10 g L−1for Cd(II) and 0.05 g L−1for Pb(II), respectively, based on a signal-to-noise ratioequal to 3 (S/N = 3). The interference experiments show that some metal cations had little influence on theSWASV signals of Cd(II) and Pb(II). In addition, the developed electrode displayed a good repeatability andreproducibility. These studies imply that the Au-GN-Cys composites might be an alternative candidatefor practical applications in electrochemical detection of metal ions.