See also: 2002 in Australia, other events of 2003, 2004 in Australia

Incumbents

• Prime Minister - John Howard
• Governor General - Peter Hollingworth, then Sir Guy Green (acting), then Michael Jeffery

• Premier of New South Wales - Bob Carr
• Premier of South Australia - Mike Rann
• Premier of Queensland - Peter Beattie
• Premier of Tasmania - Jim Bacon
• Premier of Western Australia - Geoffrey Gallop
• Premier of Victoria - Steve Bracks
• Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory - Jon Stanhope
• Chief Minister of the Northern Territory - Clare Martin

Events

Arts and literature

• ARIA Music Awards of 2003

Film

Television

Sports

• September 27 - AFL Grand Final: Brisbane def. Collingwood
• October 5 - NRL Grand Final: Penrith def. Sydney
• November 4 - Makybe Diva wins the Melbourne Cup horse racing event

Births

Deaths

• January 17 - Ed Devereaux, 78, actor
• January 20 - John Halfpenny , 68, trade union leader
• March 2 - Malcolm Williamson, 71, composer, Master of the Queen's Music
• August 23 - Jack Dyer, 89, Australian Rules Football legend
• August 24 - Mal Colston , 65, politician
• September 29 - Slim Dusty, 76, country music singer
• October 12 - Jim Cairns, 89, politician