The son of a single mother, born into a life in public housing, Anthony Albanese has achieved a long-held ambition of becoming Prime Minister.
He replaces Liberal Scott Morrison and becomes the 31st person to hold the nation's top job.
A career politician, Mr Albanese arrived in Canberra as John Howard rose to power in 1996.
He'd studied economics at university but always seemed destined for a career in politics.
"I came out [of the womb] with three great faiths – the Labor party, the Catholic Church and the South Sydney Rabbitohs," Mr Albanese said during the election.
Best known as "Albo", the Labor leader has spent the bulk of his political career at the frontline of ALP politics – though most have been spent in opposition.
Mr Albanese's 26 years in politics have included just six in government, during which he held the infrastructure portfolio.
But his shift into the prime minister's office won't be completely new for Mr Albanese, who briefly served as the acting PM in 2013, having become Kevin Rudd's deputy when he returned to power.
The 59-year-old has a son and is divorced.
He was joined on the campaign trail by his partner Jodie Haydon, who he met in 2019, the same year he became Labor leader.
Mr Albanese first attempted to lead Labor in 2013 but lost to Bill Shorten, who served two terms.
As leader, he deliberately kept a low profile and insisted he would be "kicking with the wind" as the election loomed.
Some in Labor feared he was a creature of opposition and might not have what it takes to lead Labor from the political wilderness to government.
Mr Albanese underwent a major transformation after a car crash early in 2021.
He lost weight, updated his wardrobe and insisted he was "hungry" to become PM.
As the pandemic dragged on, Mr Albanese capitalised on issues with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the availability of RATs to drive up his personal approval ratings and the political stocks of Labor.
He overcome a day one gaffe on the unemployment rate and used surging living costs and falls in real wages to argue the case for a change in government.
Mr Albanese takes over as Prime Minister at a time of soaring inflation, low unemployment and a budget with $1 trillion in debt.
He is a member of the left faction and represents the inner-Sydney seat of Grayndler.
