How long can the Prime Minister stay in the job?

Thanks for your question. There is no limit to the amount of time that somebody can be Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the leader of the party or coalition of parties with the support of the majority of members of the House of Representatives.

The Prime Minister would lose their position if:

  • their party votes to change the leadership of the party
  • their party does not win government at a federal election
  • they lose their own seat at a federal election
  • they decide to resign as Prime Minister.
The Governor-General sits at a wooden desk with pens and paperwork. Anthony Albanese is approaching the desk to be sworn in as Prime Minister.

The Governor-General swearing in the Prime Minister

DPS Auspic

The Governor-General swearing in the Prime Minister

The Governor-General sits at a wooden desk with pens and paperwork. Anthony Albanese is approaching the desk to be sworn in as Prime Minister.

DPS Auspic

Description

Anthony Albanese is sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia by Australia's 27th Governor-General David Hurley in May 2022.

The Governor-General is responsible for appointing the Prime Minister. By convention – tradition – the Prime Minister is a member of the House of Representatives who leads the parliamentary party or coalition of parties that has the support of the majority of members in the House.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.