Abisola SalahuThe richest families in Australia, when considered as a list, draw a sharp relief between personal wealth, and family wealth. For one thing; these families are known as old money. The wealth they enjoy is largely passed down from a predecessor, and the basis for that wealth may even handed down by those before him.
Of course the wealth may be in the control of one individual, but even that individual does not pretend to own the money. He is merely an administrator working in the best interest of the family to ensure the preservation of the wealth, and the increase thereof.
It is rather common to see family members fighting over inheritance; maybe money does not make a happy family after-all.
Top 10 Richest Families In Australia
1. The Pratt Family (Anthony Pratt & sisters) – $25.19 billion
The Pratt family ranks as Australia’s wealthiest family enterprise. Anthony Pratt, executive chairman of Visy Industries, shares ownership of the global packaging and paper recycling empire with his sisters . Visy has grown into one of the world’s largest privately owned packaging and recycling companies, with major operations across Australia and the United States. The family’s wealth also includes Pratt Industries USA, making them one of the most influential manufacturing dynasties in the country. Their fortune reflects the enduring strength of Australia’s industrial and manufacturing sectors, and the family has maintained a low public profile despite their immense wealth.
2. The Forrest Family (Andrew and Nicola Forrest, separated) – Combined ~$33 billion
While Andrew and Nicola Forrest separated in 2023, their combined wealth makes them one of Australia’s most powerful family units, with Nicola ranking 7th at $17.32 billion and Andrew 8th at $15.93 billion. Together they co-founded Fortescue Metals Group, which grew into the world’s fourth-largest iron ore producer. They also established the Minderoo Foundation, one of Australia’s largest philanthropic organizations, and have pledged to give away the majority of their fortune. Despite their separation, the Forrest family name remains synonymous with Australian mining wealth and large-scale philanthropy.
3. The Verrocchi Family (Mario, Marcello & Adrian) – $12.76 billion
The Verrocchi family, founders of Chemist Warehouse, are Australia’s wealthiest retail dynasty. Mario, Marcello, and Adrian Verrocchi built the discount pharmacy chain into an Australian retail phenomenon known for aggressive pricing and an extensive store network . Their fortune surged dramatically when they merged the company with ASX-listed Sigma Healthcare, which resulted in a significant increase in their wealth . This deal pushed them into the top 10 richest families and cemented their status as retail powerhouses, demonstrating the wealth generated by Australia’s consumer goods sector.
4. The Gance Family (Jack & Sam Gance) – ~$6.9 billion each
The Gance brothers, Jack and Sam, are co-founders of Chemist Warehouse alongside the Verrocchi family. Following the merger with Sigma Healthcare, their fortunes increased threefold, with each brother estimated at $6.9 billion . The Gance family’s wealth is deeply intertwined with the Chemist Warehouse empire, and they have maintained a relatively private profile despite their immense retail success. Their fortune represents one of the great Australian retail success stories of the past two decades.
5. The Bennett/Baldock/Burt Family – ~$5 billion+
The descendants of Peter Wright, including mining heiress Angela Bennett and her nieces Alexandra Burt and Leonie Baldock, form one of Australia’s most powerful mining dynasties . Their collective wealth surged when Mitsui & Co acquired a 40% stake in the Rhodes Ridge iron project, crystallizing the value of their family holdings . Angela Bennett alone sold a 15% stake in a Western Australian iron ore project to Japanese giant Mitsui for $2 billion in December 2025 . The family’s fortune is rooted in the historic Wright family mining empire, and they remain influential players in Australia’s resources sector.
6. The Oatley Family – ~$1.5 billion+
The late Bob “Popeye” Oatley built a fortune from coffee, cocoa, and wine before buying Hamilton Island in 2003 for $200 million. He sold Rosemount to Southcorp for almost $1.5 billion in 2001, providing the capital for the family’s island resort empire . His son Sandy inherited the holdings upon Bob’s death in 2016, and his granddaughter Nicky manages Hamilton Island’s brand. The Oatley family’s wealth is concentrated in hospitality and property, and Hamilton Island remains one of the world’s largest privately owned resort islands, serving as both a commercial asset and a symbol of family dynasty.
7. The Laundy Family – ~$1.9 billion
The Laundy family built a hotel and pub empire that spans Australia, with patriarch Arthur Laundy Jr inheriting the company from his father Arthur Sr, who died in a plane crash in 1969 . The family’s wealth is estimated in the hundreds of millions to over a billion, with Arthur Jr’s son Stu Laundy now serving as CEO of the Laundy Hotel Group. Another son, Craig Laundy, is a former Liberal Party politician. The family’s story is one of tragedy, resilience, and multi-generational business success, and their pub empire remains one of Australia’s largest hospitality dynasties.
8. The Shahin Family – $1.93 billion
The Shahin family, founders of the OTR (On The Run) petrol station and convenience store network, sold their business for $1.2 billion in 2023. The family came to Australia as Palestinian refugees in the 1980s and built an empire from nothing. Patriarch Khalil “Charlie” Shahin has since been acquiring massive agricultural stations, including the 408,000-hectare Aileron cattle station in the Northern Territory and three South Australian sheep stations spanning nearly 1.3 million hectares. The Shahin family represents one of Australia’s great migrant success stories, transitioning from retail to agriculture while maintaining their place among the nation’s wealthiest families.
9. The Perich Family – $3.09 billion
Tony Perich and his family have built a fortune in property development, ranking among Australia’s wealthiest families . The Perich name is closely associated with Oran Park, a major Sydney property development that transformed the former raceway into a sprawling residential community. The family’s wealth is rooted in land development and property, and they remain influential players in New South Wales’s booming real estate sector.
10. The Makris Family – $1.03 billion+
Con Makris and his family have built a billion-dollar empire, starting from running takeaways before moving into property development . The Greek-Australian mogul is now making a $500 million bet on the Gold Coast’s Marina Mirage site. The Makris family’s story reflects the classic migrant journey in Australian business—starting small and building through determination and strategic property investments. Their fortune places them among the country’s most successful family-owned property dynasties.
Comparison Table
| Rank | Family Name | Net Worth (AUD) | Primary Industry | Key Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pratt Family | $25.19 billion | Manufacturing (Visy) | Anthony Pratt & sisters |
| 2 | Forrest Family | ~$33 billion (combined) | Mining (Fortescue) | Andrew & Nicola Forrest (separated) |
| 3 | Verrocchi Family | $12.76 billion | Retail (Chemist Warehouse) | Mario, Marcello, Adrian Verrocchi |
| 4 | Gance Family | ~$6.9 billion each | Retail (Chemist Warehouse) | Jack & Sam Gance |
| 5 | Bennett/Baldock/Burt | $5 billion+ | Mining (Rhodes Ridge) | Angela Bennett, Alexandra Burt, Leonie Baldock |
| 6 | Oatley Family | ~$1.5 billion+ | Hospitality/Property | Bob, Sandy, & Nicky Oatley |
| 7 | Laundy Family | ~$1.9 billion | Hospitality (Hotels/Pubs) | Arthur Jr, Stu, & Craig Laundy |
| 8 | Shahin Family | $1.93 billion | Retail/Agriculture (OTR) | Khalil “Charlie” Shahin & family |
| 9 | Perich Family | $3.09 billion | Property Development | Tony Perich & family |
| 10 | Makris Family | $1.03 billion+ | Property Development | Con Makris & family |
Tips For Understanding Family Wealth in Australia
Families vs. Individuals: Many of Australia’s wealthiest people, like Gina Rinehart and Harry Triguboff, are individuals who hold their wealth personally rather than spreading it across family members . The families listed here are those where wealth is genuinely shared across multiple generations or siblings.
The Source of Wealth Matters*: Almost all of Australia’s richest families derive their wealth from mining, property, retail, or manufacturing . The resources sector, in particular, has generated enormous family fortunes, with the Bennett/Baldock/Burt family’s recent windfall from the Rhodes Ridge iron project being a prime example .
Migrant Success Stories: Several of Australia’s wealthiest families are first- or second-generation migrants. The Shahin family came as Palestinian refugees; the Makris family arrived from Greece . These stories highlight how immigrant entrepreneurship has been central to Australia’s economic success.
Inequality Concerns: The concentration of wealth in Australia’s top families has drawn significant criticism. Oxfam Australia reports that the **20 richest Australians hold more wealth than the bottom 3 million households** . The wealth of Australia’s billionaires grew by $257 billion in a single year—enough to lift nearly 1 million Australians out of poverty .
Philanthropy is Growing: Many of Australia’s wealthiest families are increasingly engaged in large-scale philanthropy. The Forrest family’s Minderoo Foundation is one of Australia’s largest charitable organizations, and the Pratt family has made significant donations to cultural and educational institutions
Related:
- Top 10 Richest Families in The World
- Top 10 Richest Men In Singapore
- Top 10 Poorest Countries In Europe
- Top 100 Poorest Countries in the World
- Top 20 Richest Football Clubs in the World
Closing
Australia’s richest families tell a story of enduring dominance and emerging change. Mining magnates like Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer continue to hold the top positions, reflecting the nation’s deep reliance on iron ore and commodities. However, the rise of Canva’s founders and the success of retail giants like Chemist Warehouse show that Australia’s wealth landscape is slowly diversifying. At the same time, the record number of 178 billionaires and the massive concentration of wealth—with the 20 richest holding more than the bottom 3 million households—highlight growing inequality.
As Australia faces economic pressures and debates over taxation and housing, the immense fortunes of these ten families will remain a focal point of national conversation about fairness, opportunity, and the future of the Australian economy.