Three deaths, a disappearance and a dismissal: the history of Australian prime ministers, at least in terms of how they exit office, has its fair share of colour.

Now, the Parliamentary Library has released data showing how the country's 29 leaders since federation compare when it comes to other factors, including age, past career, state of origin and more.

One PM from Chile, several from UK

Australia's third prime minister was born in South America.

Chris Watson is the only Australian leader not to be born in an English-speaking country. He was born in Valparaiso, Chile, in 1867 and grew up in New Zealand before joining the trade union movement in Australia and becoming the nation's first Labor prime minister.

The majority of his fellow prime ministers have been born and bred in Australia. The remaining six were born in the UK, including recent prime ministers Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard.

Early 50s the age for office

Former prime ministers Chris Watson and John McEwan.

Watson (left) was also Australia's youngest prime minister, taking office aged 37. Australia's oldest leader was caretaker prime minister John McEwen, who was aged 67 when he took over.

The average age of Australia's prime ministers when they took office is 52. Prime ministers Edmund Barton, William "Billy" Hughes, Bob Hawke, Kevin Rudd and Mr Abbott were all in the early-to-mid 50s when they took the oath of office.

The average age for an Australian parliamentarian is 51, showing Australia's prime ministers are generally in line with the age of their peers in Parliament.

Farm labourer, orchardist and other past lives

Australia's prime ministers have had varied careers before entering politics.

As well as being a lawyer, Hughes once worked as a rouseabout, or farm labourer.

The nation's 11th prime minister, Earle Page, was a surgeon. John Gorton, the 19th PM, was an orchardist and prime minister number 16, Ben Chifley, was an engine driver on the railways.

The bulk of Australia's leaders have had careers in law or the union movement. But there is also a significant number of ex-journalists, including the two most recent prime ministers Mr Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull.

Eight days to eighteen years

Former prime ministers Francis Forde and Robert Menzies.

Australia has had five prime ministers since 2010, with the latest crop of leaders having a relatively short time to enjoy sitting in the Prime Minister's chair.

But Francis Forde (left) takes the title for shortest-serving PM, serving as caretaker leader for eight days. The longest serving was Robert Menzies (right), who chalked up more than 18 years in charge over two terms.

Three deaths, a disappearance and a dismissal

There have been 23 changes of prime minister without an election since Federation. Most notably, three of the last five changes of (Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard, Julia Gillard to Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott to Malcolm Turnbull) have taken place after a party room ballot rather than a general election.

Joseph Lyons, John Curtin and Harold Holt died in office, although Holt's body has never been found after he disappeared swimming off a Victorian beach. Gough Whitlam was forced out by order of the Governor-General.

No west, north or south

The prime minister's office has been dominated by those from the east coast. Only one leader has come from WA. No prime ministers have represented electorates in South Australia, the Northern Territory or the ACT.

From PM to British Parliament

In Australia, being a politician is only possible by the will of the electorate.

Some of Australia's prime ministers began their careers in state parliaments, before moving on to Canberra. Australia's eighth prime minister, Stanley Bruce, went on to become a peer in the UK House of Lords, while Australia's fourth PM, George Reid, took a seat in the UK House of Commons after serving.

PMs had war-time experience

Prime ministers are often the ones who have to stand up and announce the nation's defence forces are being sent into battle.

Seven PMs have served in the defence forces, while four of those have been involved in active service.

Stanley Bruce was wounded at Gallipoli, and John Gorton was injured when his plane was forced to crash land in World War II. He was then rescued and evacuated on a ship later torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.