What is the Prime Minister's role in Australian government?

The Prime Minister's role in Australian government is to lead the federal executive, chair the Cabinet, advise the Governor-General on major decisions, set the government's overall direction, represent the country at major international events, and lead national responses to crises. The Prime Minister is the head of government but not the head of state; the head of state is the King, represented by the Governor-General.

The current Prime Minister is Anthony Albanese (Labor, member for Grayndler in NSW), who has been in office since 23 May 2022. Albanese led Labor to victory at the May 2022 federal election, ending nine years of Coalition government under Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, and Scott Morrison. Labor was re-elected at the May 2025 federal election, with the 48th Parliament continuing the Albanese government.

The Prime Minister's main responsibilities include selecting Cabinet ministers and other ministers (subject to formal appointment by the Governor-General), chairing Cabinet meetings and setting the agenda, advising the Governor-General on the dissolution of Parliament and the timing of elections, leading the government's response in Question Time and major debates, negotiating with state Premiers through the National Cabinet, representing Australia at international events (G20, APEC, the United Nations General Assembly, the Quad, Pacific Islands Forum), and addressing the nation in moments of crisis.

The Prime Minister is supported by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Prime Minister's Office (political staff appointed by the Prime Minister), the Cabinet Secretariat, and specific portfolio departments for specific responsibilities. The PMO typically has 30 to 50 staff. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet coordinates federal policy across government and provides advice on Cabinet matters. The Prime Minister's official residences are The Lodge in Canberra and Kirribilli House in Sydney. The Prime Minister's salary is about 587,000 dollars a year (2024 to 2025), made up of the base parliamentary salary plus the Prime Minister loading. The position has been held by 31 different individuals since Edmund Barton became the first Prime Minister on 1 January 1901.