What Does the Prime Minister Do in Australia? Roles and Responsibilities (2025)

As Australia's head of government, the Prime Minister holds the most influential political position in the country. But what exactly does the Prime Minister do? This comprehensive guide explores the Prime Minister's constitutional role, day-to-day responsibilities, powers, and limitations within Australia's parliamentary democracy.

Constitutional Role and Position

Surprisingly, the role of Prime Minister is not explicitly defined in Australia's Constitution. Unlike the Governor-General, whose position is constitutionally established, the Prime Minister's role has evolved through convention and practice within Australia's Westminster system of government.

The Prime Minister is:

• The head of the Australian Government
• The leader of the party or coalition that holds majority support in the House of Representatives
• A member of Parliament (typically from the House of Representatives)
• The principal advisor to the Governor-General
• The chairperson of the Federal Executive Council

This position sits at the intersection of legislative and executive power, giving the Prime Minister significant influence over both lawmaking and the implementation of those laws through government departments and agencies.

As Australia utilizes a Westminster parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is not directly elected by the public. Instead, voters elect members of Parliament, and the Prime Minister is the leader of the party or coalition that commands majority support in the House of Representatives.

Key Responsibilities and Powers

The Prime Minister's role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities that shape Australia's governance. These responsibilities can be grouped into several key areas:

1. Cabinet Leadership

As the head of government, the Prime Minister:

• Selects ministers and assigns portfolio responsibilities
• Chairs Cabinet meetings where major government decisions are made
• Sets the Cabinet agenda and determines which matters require Cabinet consideration
• Resolves disputes between ministers and departments
• Can reshuffle the ministry during the government's term

The Prime Minister's authority to appoint and dismiss ministers is a significant source of power, enabling them to reward allies, sideline rivals, and ensure policy priorities are advanced by sympathetic ministers.

2. Policy Direction and Legislative Agenda

The Prime Minister plays a central role in setting the government's policy direction by:

• Establishing government priorities and the legislative agenda
• Working with ministers to develop policy proposals
• Determining which bills will be introduced to Parliament
• Coordinating policy across government departments
• Making final decisions when policy disagreements arise within Cabinet

While Australia's Prime Minister doesn't have the same veto powers as the US President, their control over the legislative agenda gives them substantial influence over which laws are enacted.

3. Parliamentary Leadership

Within Parliament, the Prime Minister:

• Leads the government in the House of Representatives
• Answers questions during Question Time
• Makes major policy announcements
• Participates in parliamentary debates on significant issues
• Manages the relationship between the executive and legislature

This parliamentary role distinguishes Westminster prime ministers from presidents in systems with stronger separation of powers, as the Prime Minister regularly faces direct questioning from opposition members and must defend government policies in Parliament.

4. National Security and Foreign Affairs

The Prime Minister has significant responsibilities in the areas of national security and international relations:

While the Governor-General is Australia's head of state, the Prime Minister is the country's primary international representative, conducting diplomacy and representing Australia's interests abroad.

5. Crisis Management

During national emergencies and crises, the Prime Minister:

• Leads the government response to natural disasters, pandemics, economic crises, and security threats
• Coordinates across levels of government (federal, state, and local)
• Communicates with the public about emergency measures
• Makes critical decisions under time pressure
• Manages recovery efforts and support programs

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this aspect of the Prime Minister's role, with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison establishing the National Cabinet to coordinate pandemic responses across federal and state governments.

6. Public Leadership and Communication

As the most visible member of government, the Prime Minister:

• Communicates government policies and decisions to the public
• Holds press conferences and gives media interviews
• Delivers major speeches on national priorities
• Articulates a vision for the country's future
• Responds to significant events and public concerns

This communication role has become increasingly important in the modern media environment, with prime ministers expected to be constantly available to explain government actions and address public concerns.

Limitations on Prime Ministerial Power

Despite the extensive powers of the office, Australia's Prime Minister faces several important constraints:

Constitutional Constraints

Unlike presidential systems, Australia's Prime Minister must operate within a parliamentary framework where:

• They must maintain the confidence of the House of Representatives
• They remain subject to parliamentary scrutiny, including Question Time
• Their legislative agenda can be blocked or amended by the Senate
• The Constitution divides powers between the federal government and states
• The independent judiciary can review government actions

The federal structure of Australia's government means the Prime Minister has limited direct authority over many areas of public policy that fall under state jurisdiction, such as health, education, and policing.

Cabinet and Party Constraints

The Prime Minister must maintain support within their own party and Cabinet:

• Major decisions typically require Cabinet approval
• Ministers may resign if they strongly disagree with the Prime Minister
• The party room can remove the Prime Minister as party leader
• Coalition arrangements may require compromise with junior partners
• Factional dynamics within parties can limit a Prime Minister's freedom of action

Australia's recent political history has demonstrated these constraints, with several prime ministers removed by their own parties between 2010 and 2018 (Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, and Malcolm Turnbull).

Practical and Political Constraints

Even with formal powers, Prime Ministers face practical limitations:

• Public opinion and electoral considerations influence decision-making
• Media scrutiny adds accountability
• Independent institutions like the Reserve Bank operate autonomously
• International commitments limit policy flexibility
• Budget constraints affect what policies can be implemented

These checks and balances ensure that while the Prime Minister is Australia's most powerful political figure, they cannot govern alone or without accountability.

A Day in the Life of the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister's day-to-day responsibilities vary widely depending on parliamentary schedules, international events, and current issues, but typically include:

The Prime Minister divides their time between several official locations:

• Parliament House: The Prime Minister's Suite in Canberra during parliamentary sitting weeks
• The Lodge: The official residence in Canberra
• Kirribilli House: The Sydney official residence
• Office of the Prime Minister: In the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet building
• Electorate office: In the Prime Minister's home constituency

The demanding schedule requires extensive support staff, including a Chief of Staff, policy advisors, media team, speechwriters, and administrative personnel in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

The Prime Minister is supported by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), which:

• Provides policy advice across government
• Coordinates policy development between departments
• Prepares briefings on Cabinet submissions
• Manages implementation of key government priorities
• Supports the Cabinet process
• Advises on constitutional and machinery of government matters

Led by the Secretary of PM&C (one of Australia's most senior public servants), the department employs approximately 2,500 staff and has evolved from a small secretariat to a central agency that coordinates whole-of-government approaches to complex policy challenges.

The department's role reflects the expansion of prime ministerial power in recent decades, with PM&C increasingly involved in policy areas traditionally managed by line departments.

Historical Evolution of the Role

The Prime Minister's role has evolved significantly since Federation in 1901:

• Early Prime Ministers (1901-1940s): More limited role with smaller governments and less international engagement
• Post-War Era (1950s-1970s): Expansion of federal government responsibilities and increasing international focus
• Modern Era (1980s-present): Growth in media focus, centralization of power in the Prime Minister's office, and increasing policy complexity

Several factors have contributed to the strengthening of the Prime Minister's position:

• The nationalization of politics and decline in localism
• The 24-hour media cycle's focus on leaders
• The growth of presidential-style election campaigns
• Expansion of the Prime Minister's staff and department
• Globalization requiring more international engagement
• Increasing expectations for national leadership during crises

This evolution has led some political scientists to speak of the "presidentialization" of the Prime Minister's role, though it remains fundamentally different from a presidential system due to its parliamentary foundations.

Becoming Prime Minister

To become Prime Minister of Australia, an individual must:

1. Meet the eligibility requirements to sit in Parliament (Australian citizenship, 18+ years old, enrolled to vote)
2. Win election to the House of Representatives (typically) or Senate
3. Lead a party or coalition that wins majority support in the House of Representatives

There are two main pathways to the prime ministership:

• Electoral victory: Leading a party to win a federal election
• Mid-term change: Becoming party leader while the party is in government

Australia has had 31 prime ministers since Federation, from Edmund Barton (1901) to Anthony Albanese (2022-present). The path to becoming Prime Minister typically involves years of parliamentary experience, ministerial service, and building support within one's party.

While there are no formal qualifications required, most recent prime ministers have had university education, commonly in fields like law, economics, or political science, and significant careers before entering politics.

Prime Ministerial Salary and Benefits

The Prime Minister's remuneration consists of:

• A base parliamentary salary (same as all MPs)
• A significant additional loading for the office of Prime Minister

As of 2025, the Prime Minister's total salary is approximately $607,000 per year, making it one of the highest salaries for a head of government globally.

Beyond salary, the Prime Minister receives:

• Use of two official residences (The Lodge and Kirribilli House)
• Commonwealth car and driver services
• Travel allowances and official aircraft for government business
• Security protection
• Staff and office support
• Post-office entitlements including travel, office, and staff resources

These benefits recognize the demands of the role and ensure the Prime Minister can fulfill their responsibilities effectively while maintaining appropriate security and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Prime Minister in Australia's Democracy

The Prime Minister sits at the center of Australia's democratic system, wielding significant influence while operating within a framework of constitutional constraints, parliamentary oversight, and political realities. The role combines policy leadership, administrative management, national representation, and public communication in a position that has grown in prominence and power over Australia's history.

While often compared to presidents in other systems, Australia's Prime Minister remains distinctly a parliamentary leader, dependent on maintaining the confidence of their party and the House of Representatives. This parliamentary foundation provides important checks and balances on prime ministerial power while still allowing effective national leadership.

Understanding the Prime Minister's role provides insight into how Australia is governed and how decisions affecting the nation are made. As Australia faces complex challenges in the coming decades, the effectiveness of its government will depend significantly on the capabilities and judgment of those who hold this crucial office.