Largest Companies in Australia

Australia has some incredibly powerful companies operating on its turf, and we can all learn from their operating procedures, people management and continuous improvement.

10. Xstrata Holdings (23137.4)

Glencore Xstrata is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and is one of the ten biggest companies within the FTSE 100 Index. A global network of more than 90 offices located in over 50 countries supports the Group’s industrial and marketing activities. Its diversified operations comprise of over 150 mining and metallurgical sites, offshore oil production assets, farms and agricultural facilities. The company employs approximately 190,000 people, including contractors.

9. Telstra (25637)

Telstra builds technology and content solutions that are simple and easy to use – including Australia’s largest fully integrated IP network and Australia’s largest and fastest national mobile network.

The company strives to serve and know our customers better than anyone else – offering a choice of not just digital connection, but digital content as well. The company has an international presence spanning 15 countries, including China.

In the 21st century, opportunity belongs to connected governments, connected businesses, connected communities and connected individuals. As Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services company, Telstra is proud to be helping its customers improve the ways in which they live and work through connection.

8. ANZ Banking Group (40036)

ANZ Banking Group’s history dates back over 175 years and it is committed to building lasting partnerships with its customers, shareholders and communities in 32 countries in Australia, New Zealand, throughout Asia and the Pacific, and in the Middle East, Europe and America.

It provides a range of banking and financial products and services to around 8 million customers and employs 48,000 people worldwide.

The companyaims to become a super regional bank. This involves growing its presence in the Asia Pacific region and sourcing 25-30 percent of earnings from its Asia Pacific Europe and America Division by 2017, while also being very focused on growth in our core domestic businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

7. Westpac Banking Corporation (42354)

Westpac Banking Corporation was founded in 1817 and was the first bank established in Australia. On 23 August 2002, Westpac was registered as a public company limited by shares under the Australian Corporations Act (2001). In December 2008, Westpac merged with St. George Bank Limited. Today Westpac Group has branches and controlled entities throughout Australia, New Zealand and the near Pacific region and maintains offices in key financial centres around the world including London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore.

6. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (47193)

The Commonwealth Bank was founded under the Commonwealth Bank Act in 1911 and commenced operations in 1912, empowered to conduct both savings and general banking business. Today, the company has grown to a business with more than 800,000 shareholders and 52,000 people working in the Commonwealth Bank Group. It offers a full range of financial services to help all Australians build and manage their finances.

5. National Australia Bank (48556)

National Australia Bank Group is a financial services organisation with over 12,000,000 customers and 50,000 people, operating more than 1,750 stores and Service Centres globally.

Its major financial services franchises in Australia are complemented by businesses in New Zealand, Asia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each of its brands is uniquely positioned, but built on a common commitment to provide its customers with quality products and services, fair fees and charges, and relationships built on the principles of help, guidance and advice.

4. Woolworths (55526.8)

Since opening its first single basement store in Sydney’s Pitt Street in 1924, Woolworths has grown into a household name with a presence in almost every metropolitan and regional centre in Australia and New Zealand. It began operating fresh food stores 60 years ago when advances in refrigeration technology revolutionised transport and storage. In 2013 it celebrates its 89th year in the retailing business.

3. Wesfarmers (58463)

From its origins in 1914 as a Western Australian farmers' cooperative, Wesfarmers has grown into one of Australia's largest listed companies and employers. Its diverse business operations cover: supermarkets, department stores, home improvement and office supplies; coal mining; insurance; chemicals, energy and fertilisers; and industrial and safety products. The primary objective of Wesfarmers is to provide a satisfactory return to its shareholders.

2. Rio Tinto (59879.25)

Rio Tinto Group is a British-Australian multinational metals and mining corporation with headquarters in London, UK and a management office in Melbourne, Australia. The focus of the firm is on finding, mining and processing the Earth's mineral resources in order to maximise value for its shareholders.

Rio Tinto has the people, capabilities and resources to supply a world hungry for the metals and minerals that are used in everyday life, in diverse products - from mobile phones to cars.

1. BHP Billiton (72190.62)

BHP Billiton is a leading global resources company and the largest company in Australia.BHP is among the world’s largest producers of major commodities, including aluminium, copper, energy coal, iron ore, manganese, metallurgical coal, nickel, silver and uranium along with substantial interests in oil and gas. It is a global organisation with over 100 locations throughout the world and more than 100,000 employees and contractors underpin its success.

BHP has an unrivalled portfolio of high quality growth opportunities that will ensure it continues to meet the changing needs of its customers and the resources demand of emerging economies at every stage of their growth.

In May 2013, BHP appointed a new CEO, Andrew Mackenzie, who will continue to carry out the vision and mission of BHP now and in future years to come. “Andrew brings a unique combination of deep industry knowledge and global management experience to the CEO role. Andrew held senior positions in BP and Rio Tinto before joining BHP Billiton in 2008. He has led our Non-Ferrous division for the last five years working across four continents with responsibility for over half of our 100,000 people.

“The Board has decided that Andrew is the right person to lead BHP Billiton in a changing global environment,” said Jac Nasser, Chairman of BHP on the day of the announcement.