The 10 Richest People in Australia

We’ve gone through the ranks and compiled a list of the richest billionaires in Australia. Below, you’ll find the list of the richest, who they are, what they do, and just how much they’re worth as of 2019.
But before you start to flick through the list, have a guess as to who you think will appear. Comment at the bottom of the article with the people you expected to appear.
All of the figures listed within this article have come directly from Forbes as of 2019. Here are the richest people in Australia in 2019:

1. Gina Rinehart (AUD$32.64 Billion)

After an incredible year in 2020 that saw her grow her personal wealth by an astonishing 123 per cent, Hancock Prospecting chairman Gina Rinehart has followed it up. Despite being the only member of the top 10 to lose wealth this year, Rinehart continued to benefit from the major boost in iron ore prices. The move drastically increased the profit from her majority-owned Roy Hill mine. Back in October 202o, IBISWorld estimated revenue at Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting to have surged more than 23 per cent to almost $11 billion, making it the nation’s biggest private company.

Industry: Mining
Business: Hancock Prospecting
Role: Chairman
Wealth in 2021: AUD$36.28 billion
Change: -11%

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2. Andrew Forrest (AUD$31.77 Billion)

Another mining giant still benefitting from the iron ore prices upgrade in 2020 was Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest. This year, the proud Aussie managed to swell his personal wealth by 7%, however, he did almost everything he could to drop off. In addition to acquiring R.M. Williams, Forrest renewed his focus on charitable endeavours, donating a whopping $109.6 million, more than anyone else on The List.

Industry: Mining
Business: Fortescue Metals Group
Role: Chairman
Wealth in 2021: AUD$29.61 billion
Change: 7%

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3. Anthony Pratt & Family (AUD$27.77Billion)

Visy chief Anthony Pratt managed to rise up the ranks this year, leap-frogging perennial rich listers Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar into third place. Pratt’s whopping $27.77 billion net worth follows a similar growth in 2021 that came by way of a mass change in consumer behaviour. The continued boom in e-commerce sent revenue up in Visy’s corrugated box divisions, while the rise in home dining saw demand for plastic and aluminium packaging increase. Throw in 2020’s reported AUD$1 billion transaction that added $2 billion to Visy’s $9 billion valuation and you’ve got a pretty handy bump in cash.

Industry: Manufacturing
Business:Visy, Pratt Industries
Role: Executive Chairman
Wealth in 2021: AUD$21.27 billion
Change: 30%

4. Mike Cannon-Brookes (AUD$26.20 Billion)

As the co-chief executive of one of the most impressive companies in the world, it makes sense that Mike Cannon-Brookes would make the richest Australians list this year. The Atlassian boss is one of the youngest people to secure a spot on The Australian‘s list, after swelling his net worth by around 90 per cent over the last two years. In addition to his work with Atlassian, Cannon-Brookes’ personal fortune id also tied up Tyro, which did much of the heavy lifting in his wealth stakes.

Industry: Technology
Business:Atlassian
Role: Co-Chief Executive
Wealth in 2021: AUD$21.99 billion
Change: 19%

5. Scott Farquhar (AUD$25.99 Billion)

Similar to previous years, Scott Farquhar was pipped at the post by his Atlassian counterpart. Rivalry aside, Farquhar had an impressive year, swelling his AUD$21.95 billion net worth in this time last year to a solid AUD$25.99 billion today. With new projects set to headline the second half of this year, you can expect to see Farquhar make his way back on the list 12 months from now.

Industry: Technology
Business:Atlassian
Role: Co-Chief Executive
Wealth in 2021: AUD$21.95 billion
Change: 18%

6. Harry Triguboff (AUD$20.81 Billion)

Property giant Harry Triguboff is no stranger to rich lists. The Meriton managing director has featured prominently on the list of Australia’s wealthiest people for years and in 2022, he’s made it back. After a difficult few years for the property market, 2021 marked a massive return in consumer confidence. Sales in the apartment development space were way up with The Australian estimating Triguboff’s wealth is up by around 20 per cent, bringing him up to AUD$20.81 billion.

Industry: Property
Business:Meriton
Role: Managing Director
Wealth in 2021: AUD$17.2 billion
Change: 20%

7. Clive Palmer

Despite spending a wealth of cash on United Australia Party ads, former politician and mining magnate Clive Palmer has had an incredible year. Like counterparts Rinehart and Forrest, Palmer benefitting massively from the surge in mineral price, however, managed to make the most of the situation. Palmer’s Mineralogy business had a huge year, swelling his personal fortune by a whopping 88 per cent.

Industry: Mining
Business: Mineralogy
Role: Owner
Wealth in 2021: AUD$9.76 billion
Change: 88%

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8. Cliff Obrecht (AUD$15.89 Billion – Shared)

One half of the technology and graphic design unicorn Canva, Cliff Obrecht is a new entrant to the top 10, but looking at the business, it makes perfect sense. Along with wife Melanie Perkins, Obrecht has been able to more than double his shared net worth, courtesy of a $51 billion company valuation last year.

Industry: Technology
Business: Canva
Role: Co-owner
Wealth in 2021: AUD$5.9 billion
Change: 269%

9. Melanie Perkins (AUD$15.89 Billion – Shared)

One of the youngest female CEOs of a tech start-up valued over AUD$1 billion, Canva co-owner Melanie Perkins is making serious waves. Alongside husband and business partner Cliff Obrecht, Perkins has managed to enormously grow the awareness, value and integration of the graphic design platform, achieving global success. In 2020, Forbes named Perkins as one of the world’s “Top Under 30 of the Decade”, and two years later, she is showing no signs of slowing down.

Industry: Technology
Business: Canva
Role: Co-owner
Wealth in 2021: AUD$5.9 billion
Change: 269%

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10. Fiona Geminder ($2.6 Billion)

Fiona Geminder is an Australian heiress to the Pact Group. The company is a packaging business of which Fiona owns 40% with her husband, Raphael Geminder.
Geminder is the daughter of Richard Pratt, who before passing was the 4th richest person in Australia. You can also find Fiona’s brother Anthony on this list as well.