Contributing around 32.7%[1] of the country’s total GDP (an impressive $438 billion) and employing 42% of the nation’s workforce, small businesses and family enterprises are at the heart of Australia’s economy. Even in mining — the largest sector in Australia — small enterprises contribute $19.5 billion to the industry’s $216 billion output (approximately 9%).
Sydney, the nation’s largest and most populous city, doubles as a hub of financial influence and entrepreneurial activity in the Asia-Pacific region. As the capital of New South Wales, it is home to the Australian Securities Exchange and the Reserve Bank of Australia, as well as a staggering 600,000[2] small businesses — 70% of the state’s total. In this thriving metropolis, the synergy between finance and small enterprise fuels a vibrant, ever-evolving economy.
Here are the 10 Largest Family Businesses in Sydney by revenue:
10. Kennards Self Storage
Owning/Controlling Family: Kennard
Annual Revenue: $330 Million
Established in 1947 by Walter Kennard as an equipment rental business, Kennards Self Storage has grown into one of Australia’s largest self-storage operators, with over 94 locations in Australia and New Zealand. Pioneering the industry, the company opened the country’s first self-storage centre in 1973, and today continues to lead the way, offering innovative solutions such as over 3,200 private lock-up climate-controlled wine cellars in 18 locations.
Walter’s sons, Neville and Andy Kennard, managed the rental business for 27 years before launching its self-storage segment. The brothers separated the two business units, with Neville leading the family’s rapidly expanding self-storage business. In 1991, his son Sam Kennard joined the team. Now serving as CEO, Sam carries on the family legacy, driving the company’s innovation and growth in the self-storage market.
9. ATI Global
Owning/Controlling Family: Beck
Annual Revenue: $400 Million
When Christian Beck’s father asked for a solution to make his law firm more profitable, it sparked a journey that would revolutionise the legal software industry. Teaching himself how to code and dedicating over a decade to researching the legal industry to understand how it worked, Christian launched LEAP Legal Software in 1992. What began as a single product evolved into ATI, a global leader in cloud-based legal practice productivity software solutions.
Today, ATI boasts a portfolio of 16 legal technology and litigation solutions companies, including InfoTrack, One Legal, LawLytics, WillSuite, and LEAP. Christian Beck continues to lead the company as Legal Software Managing Director, driving innovation and transforming how legal professionals work worldwide.
8. Harris Farm Markets
Owning/Controlling Family: Harris
Annual Revenue: $650 Million
In 1971, David Harris and his wife Cath opened the first Harris Farm Markets store in Sydney, planting the seeds of what would become a household name in fresh produce. After a period of rapid expansion during the 1980s led to financial challenges, the business was forced to sell all of its locations. Undeterred, the Harris family spent the next two decades buying back their stores and opening new locations throughout New South Wales and Queensland.
Today, Harris Farm Markets is Australia’s largest independent retailer of fruit and vegetables, operating in 32 locations. The legacy continues under the leadership of second-generation family members Angus, Luke, and Tristan Harris, who serve as co-CEOs, driving the company’s growth and commitment to quality produce.
7. Ateco Group
Owning/Controlling Family: Crichton
Annual Revenue: $1 Billion
The Ateco Group, originally established as the Australian Tractor and Engineering Company, began as a general engineering firm, providing a wide range of vehicle solutions for Australia’s tightly regulated automobile industry. In 1985, entrepreneur and automotive business executive Neville Crichton acquired Ateco, leveraging its import license to establish a market for Suzuki small cars and 4×4 vehicles in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Over the following decades, under Crichton’s leadership, Ateco evolved into a major player in the automotive industry, introducing and marketing global automotive brands such as Volkswagen, Audi, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Kia, Fiat, Maserati, Ferrari, Renault, and Jeep across Australia and New Zealand. In 2009, Ateco made history by launching the first Chinese vehicles for sale in Australia with Great Wall Motors. Today, Neville Crichton continues to steer Ateco’s success as its executive chair, shaping the future of automotive distribution in the region.
6. Hansen Yuncken
Owning/Controlling Family: Hansen
Annual Revenue: $1.4 Billion
Founded in 1918 by Otto Yuncken and Lauritz Hansen, Hansen Yuncken quickly earned a reputation for delivering innovative construction solutions. From inventing a suspended scaffold to enable work on the domed ceiling at Melbourne’s State Library in 1929 to transforming Adelaide Railway Station into a casino in 1985 — while the trains remained running below — the company has a history of pushing boundaries. Today, Hansen Yuncken’s landmark projects include the HOTA Gallery, Churchill North Shopping Centre, the Queensland State Netball Centre, and the Victorian Pride Centre.
Several members of the Hansen family remain actively involved in the family business. Fourth-generation family member Louise Hansen serves on the board and as National Business Development Manager, while her cousin Richard Hansen, great-grandson of the founder, co-chairs the board and is its Executive Director.
5. Meriton Group
Owning/Controlling Family: Triguboff
Annual Revenue: $1.4 Billion
Before founding Meriton in 1963, property entrepreneur Harry Triguboff explored a variety of ventures, including running a taxi fleet and a milk delivery business. Today, Meriton is Australia’s largest apartment developer, having designed, developed, and constructed more than 78,000 apartments, including many of Australia’s tallest coastal residential towers.
Beyond development, Meriton provides sales, leasing, and property management services. Its luxury accommodation brand, Meriton Suites, operates in 23 locations nationwide, while the company itself owns and manages over 5,000 apartments across 23 developments in Sydney. At the helm of Meriton is Harry Triguboff, who leads as CEO and Managing Director,shaping Australia’s urban skylines and setting new standards in residential living.
4. Competitive Foods
Owning/Controlling Family: Cowin
Annual Revenue: $2 Billion
Competitive Foods is Australia’s largest restaurant franchiser and the owner of Hungry Jack’s, the Australian face of the global Burger King brand.
When Burger King sought to expand into Australia in 1971, it discovered the name was already trademarked by another fast-food business. Burger King offered its Australian Franchisee, Jack Cowin, a list of alternative names, and he chose “Hungry Jack’s.” Today, more than 400 Hungry Jack’s locations operate across Australia as Burger King restaurants.
In addition to servicing Hungry Jack’s locations, Competitive Foods is active in food retailing, manufacturing, and exporting, with Jack Cowin continuing to lead as Executive Chair.
3. Built
Owning/Controlling Family: Rossi
Annual Revenue: $2.7 Billion
Founded in 1998 by Marco Rossi after an extensive career in construction, Built is now one of Australia’s largest private construction groups and a nationally diversified general contractor. The company’s notable projects include Sydney’s Parramatta Square, Liverpool Civic Place, Louis Vuitton Sydney retail space, Melbourne Airport Hotel, and Brindabella Christian College.
In 2016, Built entered a strategic partnership with one of Japan’s largest construction groups, Obayashi Corporation, to develop large-scale construction projects. The collaboration’s 39-storey flagship headquarters for Atlassian Australia will be the world’s tallest hybrid timber and steel building. At the forefront of Built’s success is Marco Rossi, who serves as the company’s Executive Chair, driving its vision and growth in construction innovation.
2. Seven Group Holdings Ltd.
Owning/Controlling Family: Stokes
Annual Revenue: $9.6 Billion
Seven Group Holdings (SGH) is a leading diversified operating group with activities in media, energy, and industrial services with a portfolio of companies including WesTrac, one of the world’s largest Caterpillar equipment dealers, as well as Coates, Boral, Beach Energy, and Seven West Media. SGH was formed in 2010 through a merger of Kerry Stokes’ WesTrac with Australian media conglomerate Seven Network Limited, and in 2021, the group further expanded by acquiring the materials manufacturing firm Boral.
Seven West Media, a key component of SGH, connects with 19 million people a month through broadcast television, publishing, and digital content. The company operates popular affiliate channels 7two, 7mate, 7flix, and 7Bravo, as well as iconic news brand The Sunday Times. Seven West Media is also the broadcast partner of the AFL, Cricket Australia, and Supercars.
In 2021, Kerry Stokes retired as Chair of SGH, passing the reins to his son, Ryan Stokes, who now leads the Group as CEO and Managing Director.
1. Pallion
Owning/Controlling Family: Cochineas
Annual Revenue: $10 Billion
Pallion, Australasia’s largest independent precious metal services group, began as Palloys, a casting house founded by Felix Parry in 1951. In the 1960s, the company entered metal fabrication and established Hong Kong’s first casting house. Over the years, Palloys produced a variety of products, ranging from wedding rings to precious metal enhancements for Australia’s monuments and ceremonies, including the Queen Elizabeth II Bicentennial Coach and the Australian Commonwealth War Memorial.
The Cochineas Family purchased Palloys in 2007, and in 2014, a merger between ABC Bullion and Palloys Group led to the formation of the Pallion holding company. Today, Pallion’s diverse portfolio includes ABD Bullion, ABC Refinery, Palloys, Golden Age International, Custodian Vaults, and metalware producer W.J. Sanders. Following the merger, Andrew Cochineas was appointed CEO, with brothers Phillip and Paul serving on the company’s board.
[1] https://smallbusinessloansaustralia.com/australian-small-business-family-enterprise-report/
[2] https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/small-business-data-portal/location-australias-small-businesses-state-and-territory#:~:text=There%20were%20594%2C855%20small%20businesses,the%20year%20to%20June%202023
