The Australian Prime Minister's Literary Awards (PMLA) were announced at the end of 2007 by the incoming First Rudd ministry following the 2007 election.

[1] The awards were designed as "a new initiative celebrating the contribution of Australian literature to the nation's cultural and intellectual life.

In 2012, a poetry category was added and the former Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History was incorporated into the award.

[3] The final decisions on the shortlist and winners for the awards was made by Prime Minister (Kevin Rudd) based on the judging panels' recommendations.

Entries for the 2011 awards opened in January 2011 and an annual timetable was implemented: the shortlist was announced in late May and winners in early July.