How does someone become Prime Minister of Australia?

A person becomes Prime Minister of Australia by being the leader of the party or coalition that holds the support of a majority in the House of Representatives, and being commissioned to that office by the Governor-General. The Prime Minister is not directly elected by voters but emerges through the combination of federal election results and party leadership.

Several pathways can lead to the office. The most common is leading a party to victory at a federal election. Anthony Albanese became Prime Minister in May 2022 by leading Labor to win 77 of 151 seats in the House of Representatives, a majority of one seat. Scott Morrison became Prime Minister at the August 2018 Coalition leadership change after Malcolm Turnbull lost a party room ballot, then led the Coalition to victory at the May 2019 election. Julia Gillard became Prime Minister at the June 2010 Labor leadership change after Kevin Rudd stepped aside, then led Labor (supported by Greens and independents) at the August 2010 election to form minority government.

Leadership challenges can change Prime Ministers between elections. The Liberal Party's August 2018 challenge replaced Malcolm Turnbull with Scott Morrison. Labor's June 2010 challenge replaced Kevin Rudd with Julia Gillard. Labor's June 2013 challenge replaced Julia Gillard with Kevin Rudd. The Liberal Party's September 2015 challenge replaced Tony Abbott with Malcolm Turnbull. Each change required a party room vote (ballot of all MPs and senators of the relevant party), followed by the new leader being commissioned by the Governor-General as Prime Minister.

The Governor-General's role is formal but constitutionally important. The Governor-General must commission whoever can command a majority in the House of Representatives. After a federal election with a clear majority for one party or coalition, the choice is automatic. After a hung parliament (where no single party has a majority), the Governor-General consults leaders and waits for the negotiation of confidence and supply agreements before commissioning a Prime Minister. The 2010 to 2013 Gillard government was the most recent example of negotiation after a hung parliament. The Governor-General can also dismiss a Prime Minister in narrow constitutional circumstances, as Sir John Kerr did to Gough Whitlam on 11 November 1975 after the Senate blocked supply.