Labor appears likely to secure majority government after vote counting in crucial marginal seats resumed more than a week after the federal election.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's team is on track to win 77 seats, after reaching the required target of 76 to form a majority on Monday evening.
Incumbent Labor MP Fiona Phillips remains narrowly ahead in the NSW seat of Gilmore, according to the Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) count.
Labor incumbent Josh Burns is also ahead in the inner-city Melbourne seat of Macnamara, where there has been a tight three-way contest.
Mr Burns said while there were still some votes to be counted, he was hopeful he had retained the seat.
"The work really starts now," he said on ABC News Breakfast.
"As our government takes shape, it's about getting cracking on climate change, getting cracking on the economic challenges that face Australians and getting cracking on some of the economic reforms that are really required so that Australians can get by a little easier throughout their day.
"We have an opportunity to deliver.
"A Labor government means opportunity. I hope even those people who didn't support us, we work hard to give them some things to think about and consider voting Labor at the next election."
Two seats remain "close", according to the AEC, including the NSW seat of Gilmore and the Victorian seat of Deakin, where counting is still underway.
Labor now has a narrow lead in Gilmore, after it had trailed the Liberals in the early stages of the count.
Labor's Matt Gregg has managed to narrow the gap slightly against Liberal incumbent Michael Sukkar in Deakin.
However, Mr Gregg is still trailing by 619 votes in the Melbourne-based seat.
It comes as both the Liberal and National parties met in Canberra on Monday to elect their new leaders.
, with Sussan Ley also elected unopposed as the party's deputy.
After a marathon party meeting, the Nationals selected David Littleproud as the party's leader, succeeding Barnaby Joyce, and Perin Davey as the deputy.
Meetings will take place on Tuesday within the government to determine the make-up of the new cabinet.
The new front bench members will be formally sworn into their roles on Wednesday.
New prime minister's department head
The head of Australia's largest philanthropic trust, Professor Glyn Davis, has been named as the new head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Professor Davis' career spans both the public service and academic spheres. He served as the director-general of the Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet from 1998 to 2002, before becoming the vice-chancellor of Griffith University in Queensland and the University of Melbourne.
He has also chaired the Group of Eight, Universities Australia and Universitas 21.
The governor-general made the appointment on Mr Albanese's recommendation.
"Professor Davis will bring to the role of secretary a deep understanding of public policy and will work with my government in bringing about positive change for the Australian people," Mr Albanese said.
Professor Davis will take over the role from Phil Gaetjens, who acted as former prime minister Scott Morrison's chief of staff before moving into the role in 2019.
The five-year appointment will start on 6 June.
