Family Offices in Australia

Australia seems to fly under the radar. Yet, it’s one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Also known as the “Lucky Country,” the Great Outback is a land of economic opportunity and bountiful natural resources. According to a recent survey, the family office sector in the country now employs between 10,000 and 20,000 individuals, more than double the number of employees recorded a decade ago. Below, let’s take a look at factors influencing this boom.

Open, stable and global economy

The Why Australia Benchmark Report 2023 highlights why the country is a leading destination for start-ups, research organisations, and multinationals worldwide. It’s honed its reputation as an open, prosperous, and innovative economy in which to do business. This year, the country’s economy is expected to grow by 1.6% – continuing to outpace other advanced economies, averaging 1.3%%.

Australia’s economy also boasts worldwide connections, including strong ties to the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. Although it has been predominantly known for its mining and agricultural sectors, its tech industry is rapidly expanding and is one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. Many groundbreaking innovations were incubated in Australia, including Google Maps, Wi-Fi, the black box flight recorder, and the Cochlear implant. The country is now focusing on becoming a major player in renewable energy, with plenty of critical minerals, wind, hydrogen, and solar industries driving its transition to clean energy.

We rounded up a few companies that you might find interesting.

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Legislation and immigration

Australia’s legal system combines common law and statute, similar to the United Kingdom’s. Although no specific legislation exists for family offices, they can have various structures, such as a company, partnership, trust, or an individual controlling person. However, regardless of the structure, family offices must comply with general regulatory requirements, including the Know Your Client and Anti-Money Laundering regulations. Employment law regulations will also apply if staff are employed.

For families desiring to migrate to Australia, various visas are available to suit their needs, including short-term, long-term, skilled, sponsored, business, investment, and working holiday visas. It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for each visa category may differ. For example, individuals who invest at least AUD 5 million in Australian investments that meet specific requirements and maintain investment activity in the country may be eligible to apply for a ‘Significant Investor Stream‘ visa. This visa permits them to carry out investment activity, stay in Australia for up to 5 years, and bring eligible family members with them.

High standard of living

Australia is ranked 4th in terms of countries with the highest living standards. It is a liberal and multicultural society, welcoming people from all cultures, races, faiths, and nations. Well-developed and regulated professional and business services and infrastructures, typically required by a family office, are widely accessible. Additionally, it has a stable banking system with many international banks represented.

Australia is attracting a highly-skilled, international, multilingual workforce into the family office space. In fact, compared to their peers in similar roles worldwide, family office employees in Australia receive higher compensation and benefits.

Attractive to HNWI

According to reports by Henley & Partners, Australia is set to become the most preferred destination for High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) in 2023, overtaking the UAE. It is estimated that this year alone, around 122,000 millionaires will migrate, with a majority coming from China, India, and the UK. There are several reasons why Australia is the preferred destination for millionaires.

Firstly, the country offers a pleasant climate, a high-quality lifestyle, and exceptional education and healthcare facilities. Additionally, unlike the UK and the USA, Australia does not impose inheritance taxes or death duties, which is a significant advantage for the wealthy. Moreover, Australia’s distance from global crisis hotspots makes it an even more appealing location for millionaires to settle down.

The largest family offices in Australia

LJCB Investments

LJCB Investment Group is a single-family office headquartered in Australia. It was established in 1997 and manages the investment activities of the Liberman Family. The estimated net worth of LJCB and the Liberman family is around $2.5 billion, and their portfolio consists of diverse investments across various sectors such as real estate, technology and others.

AMB Holdings

AMB-Holdings, owned by Perth billionaire Angela Bennett, earns millions from its 50% stake in Wright Prospecting’s iron ore royalties. AMB has over $1 billion AUM focus on term opportunities. Two of Ms Bennet’s sons, Todd and Paul Bennett, serve as directors. David McMahon manages the family’s iron ore and resource interests.

Kin Group

Kin Group is a family office co-founded by Fiona Geminder, daughter of Richard Pratt, founder of Australia’s largest plastic packaging company. With a net worth of $3.77 billion, Fiona is the third richest woman in Australia. Kin Group invests in food, technology, and manufacturing, focusing on early and later stage fundraising rounds. They can make both control and non-control investments.

Marinya Capital

Marinya Capital is a family office established by John B. Fairfax. It primarily invests in property and fund managers. John is the founder of Fairfax Media, which is one of the largest Australian media companies. The family office also makes direct investments in private equity and venture capital opportunities.

Hopebridge Capital

Hoperidge Capital is a Perth-based investment arm of the Rod Jones single family office. The firm invests globally across all asset classes and specialises in the technology, education, energy, and general industrial sectors. Its proactive and hands-on approach leverages sector knowledge in collaboration with a trusted network of industry and capital market partners. Rod Jones, the founder of Navitas, leads the team.

Paspaley Group

Paspaley Group is owned by the Paspaley Family, with a portfolio including pearling, agriculture, property, and retail. Nicholas Paspaley pioneered the Australian South Sea pearl industry in 1935. Today, pearling contributes around 40% of the group’s annual turnover and 70% of Australia’s annual pearl production.

Costa Asset Management

Costa Asset Management (CAM) is the investment office for the families of Robert and Anthony Costa. The family founded the Costa Group, Australia’s largest fruit and vegetable supplier. The investment firm invests in real estate, agriculture, and private equities. It owns the largest collection of berry farms and citrus orchards in Australia and tends to invest in minority positions in ag-related businesses.

Olbia Investments

Olbia Investments is an investment vehicle owned by the Salteri family, which operates as a family office. The company was founded by Carlo Salteri in 1956 and the Belgiorno-Nettis family as Transfield, a leading service provider in Australia. Robert Salteri and Paul Salteri are Carlo Salteri’s sons. In 1997, Transfield separated its defence contracting business, Tenix, which the Salteri family later acquired before being sold to Downer in 2014. Olbia’s headquarters are located in Sydney, Australia.

Kirwood Capital

Kirwood Capital is a single family office investing vehicle related to the Ring family. The Ring family previously founded and owned Swisse Vitamins before its sale in 2015. The firm invests across various assets, including Private Equity, Listed Equities, Property, and Alternative Assets, both in Australia and offshore. It also provides services such as concierge, tax, accounting, planning, budgeting, bill paying, assistance with lending, insurance, banking matters, financial reporting, and more.

Grok Ventures

Grok Ventures is the single family office of Mike Cannon-Brookes, an Australian billionaire. He became successful with his company Atlassian, which he co-founded with Scott Farquhar in 2002. Mike Cannon-Brookes’ net worth is estimated at $14.3 billion. His single-family office invests in fast-growing technology companies in technology, software, healthcare, industrial, and energy. One of its notable holdings is Brighte, a credit technology platform for home energy and home improvements.

Tanarra Capital

Tanarra Capital is a family office investment and advisory firm located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The company was founded by John Wylie in 2005, with the aim of aligning its interests with those of its investors. Tanarra Capital has over $1.9 billion in assets under management (AUM) and invests in various early-stage ventures, including both private and public companies, in Australia and worldwide.

Top 10 Family Offices in Australia

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