Australia’s Top 10 Richest People in 2025 (Net Worth Included)

When people think of Australia, the first things that come to mind are kangaroos, the Sydney Opera House, and maybe their cricket team. But behind the beaches and BBQs, there’s a serious business game going on. Some of the world’s richest and smartest people live right there in the land down under.

Australia’s richest individuals are not just sitting on money. They are builders of industries—mining, tech, real estate, retail, and even media. They’ve taken risks, expanded globally, and turned ideas into empires.

Let’s meet the top 10 richest people in Australia in 2025 and discover what we, as young hustlers from Africa, can learn from their success.

1. Gina Rinehart

Net Worth: $33 Billion
Industry: Mining

Gina is still Australia’s wealthiest person in 2025. She inherited her father’s mining company, Hancock Prospecting, and turned it into a global iron ore giant. Under her leadership, the company expanded operations and became one of the top exporters to Asia.

Lesson: Don’t waste your inheritance. Use it as a launchpad to build something even bigger.

2. Andrew Forrest

Net Worth: $29 Billion
Industry: Mining, Energy, Philanthropy

Also known as “Twiggy,” Forrest made his fortune through Fortescue Metals Group, another iron ore powerhouse. Now, he’s investing heavily in green energy, especially hydrogen projects. He also gives billions through his foundation.

Lesson: Even if you get rich in one industry, look ahead. The future is clean energy and sustainability.

3. Anthony Pratt

Net Worth: $25 Billion
Industry: Packaging, Recycling

Pratt runs Visy Industries, one of the world’s biggest packaging and recycling companies. His businesses are in Australia and the U.S., and he’s big on sustainability. His factories turn waste into useful packaging.

Lesson: There’s money in waste. Solve environmental problems and you’ll find wealth in them.

4. Mike Cannon-Brookes

Net Worth: $17 Billion
Industry: Tech, Software, Energy

Mike is the co-founder of Atlassian, a software company used by developers worldwide. He’s also investing in climate tech and owns shares in clean energy projects. He’s a big believer in changing the world through innovation.

Lesson: Tech is borderless. Build something once and sell it to the whole world.

5. Scott Farquhar

Net Worth: $16.8 Billion
Industry: Tech, Software

Scott is Mike’s business partner and co-founder of Atlassian. The two of them started the company from their university dorm. Now it’s one of Australia’s biggest tech exports.

Lesson: Start small with a smart friend, build a good product, and grow globally.

6. Harry Triguboff

Net Worth: $14 Billion
Industry: Real Estate

Harry is Australia’s real estate king. He owns Meriton, the country’s biggest apartment developer. Even at 90 years old, he’s still building skyscrapers and rental apartments in major cities like Sydney and Brisbane.

Lesson: Real estate is long-term wealth. Rent never sleeps.

7. Frank Lowy (and Family)

Net Worth: $10 Billion
Industry: Retail, Property Development

Frank built Westfield, one of the biggest shopping mall brands in the world. Though he sold many of his malls, his family still holds massive property investments and retail interests.

Lesson: Build something big, then exit smart. A good sale can change generations.

8. Clive Palmer

Net Worth: $9 Billion
Industry: Mining, Politics

Clive is a mining magnate and a politician. His wealth comes mainly from nickel and iron ore, and he also owns energy and tourism assets. He’s known for his bold statements, but he’s built a serious empire.

Lesson: Be bold. Some people won’t like you, but focus on growing your empire.

9. Melanie Perkins

Net Worth: $7.5 Billion
Industry: Tech (Design Software)

Melanie is the co-founder of Canva, the popular graphic design platform used by millions. She started with a small idea—making design easy for everyone—and turned it into a global software company.

Lesson: One idea, well executed, can take you around the world. Especially in tech.

10. Cliff Obrecht

Net Worth: $7.5 Billion
Industry: Tech (Design Software)

Cliff is Melanie’s business partner (and husband) at Canva. Together, they built a business that made design accessible to anyone, even those without a background in it.

Lesson: Build businesses with people you trust. Partnerships can take you far.

💡 Final Thoughts

Australia’s richest people didn’t just sit on resources—they turned them into machines that print money daily. From mining and property to tech and recycling, each one of them found a need and filled it at scale.

The big takeaway for us in Kenya and across Africa is this:

✅ You don’t need to be in a "developed" country to think big.
✅ Innovation and entrepreneurship don’t care where you were born.
✅ Pick a sector, learn deeply, and dominate it.
✅ If you’re building tech, the whole world is your customer.
✅ If you’re in land or minerals, think in decades. Not months.

Whether it’s software in a Nairobi flat or farming in Eldoret, your idea could be the next big thing. Learn from Australia’s top players and apply the same principles at home.