The Prime Minister is the head of the Australian Government. He or she achieves this position by being the leader of the party, or coalition, with a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. The office of Prime Minister is not mentioned in the Australian Constitution, but is derived from constitutional convention. The Prime Minister is formally appointed by the Governor-General.

  1. 30
    Scott Morrison. Credit Alex Ellinghausen/Fairfax

    Scott Morrison

    Liberal

    316 days
    2018
  2. 29
    Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull attends a meeting with local businesswomen at Penrith Regional Gallery, 11 May 2016

    Malcolm Turnbull

    Liberal

    2 years, 344 days
    2015
    2018
  3. 28
    Tony Abbott on Day 2 in Arnhem Land, 15 September 2014

    Tony Abbott

    Liberal

    1 year, 363 days
    2013
    2015
  4. 27
    Julia Gillard, Parliament House, August 2012

    Julia Gillard

    Labor

    3 years, 4 days
    2010
    2013
  5. 26
    Prime Minister Kevin Rudd deep in thought during the 2020 Summit, Canberra. One thousand Australians met to discuss and come up with ideas for the future of Australia on 19 April 2008.

    Kevin Rudd

    Labor

    2 years, 289 days
    2007
    2010
    2013
  6. 25
    Prime Minister John Howard, Canberra, 11 July 1996

    John Howard

    Liberal

    11 years, 268 days
    1996
    2007
  7. 24
    Prime Minister Paul Keating holding a copy of The Sunday Telegraph newspaper dated 14 March 1993, the day after the Australian Labor Party won the Federal Election

    Paul Keating

    Labor

    4 years, 83 days
    1991
    1996
  8. 23
    Prime Minister Bob Hawke launches the Labor immigration affairs policy at Coburg in Melbourne, Victoria on 15 March 1990

    Bob Hawke

    Labor

    8 years, 285 days
    1983
    1991
  9. 22
    Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser hosts his own morning radio show on 2BL, 7 August 1985

    Malcolm Fraser

    Liberal

    7 years, 122 days
    1975
    1983
  10. 21
    Prime Minister Gough Whitlam electioneering in Melbourne, 19 May 1974

    Gough Whitlam

    Labor

    2 years, 342 days
    1972
    1975
  11. 20
    William McMahon addressing a Young Liberals meeting, 3 November 1972

    Billy McMahon

    Liberal

    1 year, 271 days
    1971
    1972
  12. 19
    Senator John Gorton at Parliament House in Canberra after being elected as Prime Minister on 9 January 1968. FXJ89791

    John Gorton

    Liberal

    3 years, 60 days
    1968
    1971
  13. 18
    John McEwen at Parliament House, 1966

    John McEwen

    Country

    23 days
    1967
    1968
  14. 17
    Harold Holt spearfishing at Portsea Victoria, 1 February 1960

    Harold Holt

    Liberal

    1 year, 328 days
    1966
    1967
  15. 16
    Ben Chifley, Brisbane Queensland, 9 August 1950

    Ben Chifley

    Labor

    4 years, 160 days
    1945
    1949
  16. 15
    Frank Forde, Parliament House, 7 October 1941

    Frank Forde

    Labor

    8 days
    1945
  17. 14
    Prime Minister John Curtin, undated

    John Curtin

    Labor

    3 years, 272 days
    1941
    1945
  18. 13
    Arthur Fadden in the Prime Minister's Office in Parliament House, 29 August 1941

    Arthur Fadden

    Country

    41 days
    1941
  19. 12
    Sir Robert Menzies sitting at his desk signing papers, Parliament House, Canberra, ca. 1950

    Robert Menzies

    Liberal

    18 years, 164 days
    1939
    1941
    1949
    1966
  20. 11
    Sir Earle Page, 8 April 1935

    Earle Page

    Country

    20 days
    1939
  21. 10
    Prime Minister Joseph Lyons wearing a fedora, New South Wales, 12 August 1935

    Joseph Lyons

    United Australia

    7 years, 92 days
    1932
    1939
  22. 9
    Prime Minister James Scullin with his hand resting on his chin, Sydney, 16 January 1931

    James Scullin

    Labor

    2 years, 77 days
    1929
    1932
  23. 8
    Stanley Bruce, Prime Minister and leader of the Nationalist Party, ca. 1923.

    Stanley Bruce

    Nationalist

    6 years, 256 days
    1923
    1929
  24. 7
    Prime Minister Billy Hughes, on return from the Paris Peace Conference, Sydney, 1919

    Billy Hughes

    Nationalist

    7 years, 108 days
    1915
    1916
    1916
    1917
    1917
    1923
  25. 6
    Prime Minister Joseph Cook

    Joseph Cook

    Commonwealth Liberal

    1 year, 86 days
    1913
    1914
  26. 5
    Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of Australia

    Andrew Fisher

    Labor

    4 years, 300 days
    1908
    1909
    1910
    1913
    1914
    1915
  27. 4

    George Reid

    Free Trade

    322 days
    1904
    1905
  28. 3
    Prime Minister Chris Watson, c. 1904

    Chris Watson

    Labor

    114 days
    1904
  29. 2

    Alfred Deakin

    Commonwealth Liberal

    4 years, 316 days
    1903
    1904
    1905
    1908
    1909
    1910
  30. 1
    Prime Minister Edmund Barton, ca. 1901

    Edmund Barton

    Protectionist

    2 years, 267 days
    1901
    1903