Who are the wealthiest Australians in 2025? The latest Financial Review Rich List has dropped, and it’s packed with familiar faces, a few surprises, and some eyebrow-raising shifts in fortune.
Mining, tech, property, and packaging dominate the upper echelons, but there’s more to the story than big numbers. Let’s look closer at who’s made the cut and how they got there.
Gina Rinehart: Still Queen of the Hill
For the sixth year running, mining magnate Gina Rinehart sits comfortably atop the Rich List throne, with a staggering $38.11 billion to her name.
That’s despite a $2 billion dip in her fortune, thanks to a softening iron ore price. But don’t feel too sorry for Rinehart—mining remains the engine room of Australian wealth, and she’s still leagues ahead of the pack.
The Forrests: A New Order
It’s been a year of change for the Forrest family. Following their high-profile separation, Nicola Forrest now leads her ex-husband, Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest, who slips from second place in 2023 to just outside the top ten.
The financial split saw Nicola gain control of a slightly larger slice of Fortescue Metals Group, the mining giant they both helped build. The pair also continue their philanthropic work through the Minderoo Foundation.
Tech Titans: Canva Climbs, Atlassian Shifts
Australia’s technology scene is still minting billionaires, but the leaderboard has shuffled.
Canva co-founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht have soared up the ranks, thanks to their graphic design platform’s explosive growth and a bold push into artificial intelligence.
The married duo have also pledged to give away much of their fortune, joining a growing trend of billionaire philanthropy.
Meanwhile, Atlassian’s Mike Cannon-Brookes has dropped out of the top ten after his separation.
At the same time, his former co-CEO Scott Farquhar has stepped into new roles, including chairing the Tech Council of Australia and the charity group Pledge. The tech sector may be volatile, but these names aren’t going anywhere soon.
New faces and quiet achievers
This year, one of the most intriguing stories is Michael Dorrell, the highest-valued debutant in Rich List history.
After a stint at Macquarie, Dorrell founded Stonepeak, an infrastructure investment powerhouse managing a jaw-dropping $101 billion globally.
With nearly 250 staff and investments worldwide, Dorrell’s rise reminds us that not all fortunes are made in the limelight.
Old money, new moves
Anthony Pratt and his family, the packaging kings behind Visy, have climbed to third place, buoyed by a $23.3 billion fortune.
Meanwhile, property mogul Harry Triguboff’s wealth has jumped an impressive 12 per cent in just 12 months, thanks to his Meriton empire—the country’s largest private apartment developer.
Mining still dominates, but the landscape shifts
Despite some fortunes shrinking, the mining sector remains the backbone of Australian wealth. The top 200 fortunes have collectively grown by 6.9 per cent, proving that the rich are getting richer.
But the landscape is more diverse than ever, with tech, property, and infrastructure making waves. Beyond the jaw-dropping numbers, the Rich List offers a snapshot of Australia’s economic engine rooms.
Are you curious to see the full rundown? The complete list will be available on 30 May in the special edition of the AFR Rich List magazine and online at the AFR website.
Are you surprised by who made the top ten? Do you think Australia’s wealthiest should be doing more to give back? And what industries do you think will produce the next generation of billionaires? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Also read: Australian billionaire pledges to give away half his $7 billion fortune
