Spouse or partner of the prime minister of Australia

Partner of the Prime Minister of Australia
Incumbent Jodie Haydon since 23 May 2022
Residence	The Lodge (primary) Kirribilli House (secondary)
Inaugural holder	Jane Barton
Formation	1 January 1901

The spouse of the prime minister of Australia or partner of the prime minister of Australia is the host of The Lodge and Kirribilli House, usually the wife, husband or partner of the prime minister of Australia, concurrent with the tenure of the prime minister. Although there is no officially defined responsibilities for the role, the incumbent is generally a high-profile individual who is involved in the political and social life of Australia, assisting the prime minister with carrying out ceremonial duties as well as performing various other functions.

With a few exceptions, the prime minister's spouse has been a public figure and the subject of media and societal interest. Most have used the position to promote charitable causes. By convention, the spouse of the prime minister serves as the host of The Lodge, the primary official residence of the prime minister, and Kirribilli House, the secondary residence. The incumbent also assists the prime minister in welcoming foreign dignitaries to Parliament House, on official state visits overseas and at various other locations during ceremonial events. However, the position itself is unpaid and there are no official responsibilities, duties or obligations.

Spouses often assist the prime minister at campaign events. However, only two prime ministers' spouses have held public office in their own right – Enid Lyons became the first woman elected to the House of Representatives several years after her husband's death in office, while Lucy Turnbull was Lord Mayor of Sydney over a decade before her husband became prime minister. Ethel Page held senior offices in the organisational wing of the Country Party.

The current prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is the first divorcee to be appointed.^[1] He and his partner, Jodie Haydon,^[2][3][4] who lives in her own home in Sydney,^[5][6] became engaged on Valentine's Day, 2024.^[7]

All prime ministers except John McEwen, Julia Gillard and Albanese were married for the duration of their term in office. McEwen was a widower during his short term; Gillard was in a domestic partnership with Tim Mathieson.

Until the 1960s, it was uncommon for the spouse of a prime minister to have their own career. Zara Holt, a fashion designer, was the first to continue her career during her husband's term in office, and reputedly earned more money than him. Other businesswomen to hold the position have included Thérèse Rein, who ran an employment services company, and Margie Abbott, who ran a childcare centre. Bettina Gorton was an academic who lectured part-time at the Australian National University.