Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official Canberra residence on Tuesday night as police responded to a bomb threat.
The prime minister was moved from The Lodge to another location at about 6pm while an investigation was carried out. He was able to return after 9pm once a search had been completed.
An Australian federal police spokesperson said they were alerted to an alleged security incident at the property, near Parliament House.
Guardian Australia has been told it involved the threat of an explosive.
“A thorough search of a protection establishment was undertaken and nothing suspicious was located,” a statement said.
“There is no current threat to the community or public safety.
“Further information will be provided at an appropriate time.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Albanese recorded an hour-long interview with Nine journalist Karl Stefanovic at The Lodge.
Albanese and other federal MPs have faced a number of security threats in recent months. The prime minister has had a more visible than usual security presence at recent events.
In October last year, the AFP commissioner, Krissy Barrett, announced the establishment of new national security investigations teams to deal with threats, including the targeting of federal politicians.
Earlier this month, she told a Senate committee that politicians, other office holders and members of Australia’s Jewish community were being targeted by violent offenders.
More than 20 people have already been charged since late last year in relation to those threats, Barrett said.
“We are witnessing the continued rise of individual grievance, including those who are willing to make threats in the online world and then carry them out in the real world,” Barrett told a Senate estimates committee.