17 Australian companies named in ‘World’s Best Employers’ list

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Seventeen Australian companies spanning across eight different industries feature among the 900 organisations recognised on Forbes’ 2025 World’s Best Employers list.
Sydney, Australia – November 12, 2015: People crowd crossing street in central Sydney. Landmark in background, shopping center to the left.
Key Takeaways
  • Atlassian, recognised for its collaborative and flexible work culture, was Australia’s highest-ranked company at 117.
  • Last year’s top-ranked Australian employer, BHP Group, followed closely at 118.
  • The banking and financial services sector dominated the Australian list, accounting for 6 of the 17 companies, including the Big Four Banks – ANZ (181), Commonwealth Bank (269), Westpac (278) and NAB (418).
  • Woolworths, Australia’s largest private employer with 190,000 staff, ranked at 819, whilst Qantas, the national carrier, ranked at 872.
Australia’s Best Employers
RankNameIndustryEmployees
117AtlassianEngineering, Manufacturing12,157
118BHP GroupConstruction, Chemicals, Raw Materials90,000
181ANZ Group HoldingsBanking and Financial Services42,370
269Commonwealth BankBanking and Financial Services52,000
278Westpac Banking GroupBanking and Financial Services40,000
287WesfarmersRetail and Wholesale120,000
394SuncorpBanking and Financial Services10,000
418NAB –  National Australia BankBanking and Financial Services38,000
549QBE Insurance GroupInsurance11,000
644LendleaseConstruction, Chemicals, Raw Materials5,000
669Treasury Wine EstatesFood, Soft Beverages, Alcohol & Tobacco2,600
670Cotton on GroupRetail and Wholesale20,000
721Macquarie Group LimitedBanking and Financial Services19,700
774Harvey NormanRetail and Wholesale6,500
786TelstraTelecommunication Services, Cable Supplier28,889
819WoolworthsRetail and Wholesale190,000
872Qantas AirwaysTransportation and Logistics26,000
Request from this Forbes Ranking for research, reference and other limited use options.
Key Background

Seventeen Australian companies were recognised in this year’s list, up from 14 last year. Globally, Microsoft retained its place at the top of the global rankings, followed by Delta Air Lines and Alphabet.


Top 20 Global
RankNameIndustryCountry/TerritoryEmployees
1MicrosoftIT Software & ServicesUnited States228,000
2Delta Air LinesTransportation and LogisticsUnited States100,000
3AlphabetIT Software & ServicesUnited States183,323
4AdobeIT Software & ServicesUnited States20,709
5BMW GroupAutomotive (Automotive and Suppliers)Germany159,000
6NVIDIASemiconductors, Electronics, Electrical EngineeringUnited States29,600
7SonyConglomerateJapan113,000
8IBMSemiconductors, Electronics, Electrical EngineeringUnited States300,000
9AppleSemiconductors, Electronics, Electrical EngineeringUnited States164,000
10Lego GroupPackaged GoodsDenmark31,000
11Samsung ElectronicsConglomerateSouth Korea262,647
12Costco WholesaleRetail and WholesaleUnited States333,000
13Cisco SystemsSemiconductors, Electronics, Electrical EngineeringUnited States90,400
14ShopifyIT Software & ServicesCanada8,100
15RolexClothing, Shoes, Sports EquipmentSwitzerland10,000
16Marriott InternationalTravel & LeisureUnited States263,000
17NikeClothing, Shoes, Sports EquipmentUnited States79,400
18HubSpotIT Software & ServicesUnited States8,500
19AIRBUSAerospace & DefenseNetherlands156,921
20NintendoMedia & AdvertisingJapan7,724
Methodology

To determine the list, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey more than 300,000 employees in over 50 countries.

 Participants evaluated both their own employers and others in their industries on factors including salary, career advancement, work-life balance, and company reputation.

Companies were eligible if they employed more than 1,000 people and operated globally. The 900 organisations with the highest overall scores made the final ranking.

Tap here to see the full list.

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