This list of Australian companies engaged in in-house research and development includes large organizations, with several exceeding 10,000 employees. Key players include BHP, a supplier of essential resources, and CSL, a biotechnology company delivering life-saving medicines. Atlassian develops collaborative software tools like Jira and Trello, while Orica specializes in mining and infrastructure solutions. Monash Health is a publicly-funded health service in Melbourne.
A significant portion of the companies are universities, such as the University of Sydney, UNSW, and the University of Technology Sydney, all focusing on research excellence and education. This suggests a strong emphasis on academic and scientific R&D across Australia, complementing the industrial and healthcare sectors.
| # | Company | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40,731 | ||||
| 2 | 23,172 | ||||
| 3 |
Atlassianatlassian.com
A global team creating tools like Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and Trello to empower teams worldwide to collaborate effectively and innovate |
21,044 | |||
| 4 |
University of Sydneysydney.edu.au
Top Australian university focusing on research excellence and inclusive education, supporting diverse students and advancing knowledge globally. |
20,284 | |||
| 5 |
UNSWunsw.edu.au
Offers over 300 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate programs, attracting diverse international students, part of leading research university networks. |
17,791 | |||
| 6 |
UGLugllimited.com
Specialist provider of engineering, services, and operations across transport, energy, infrastructure, defence, telecommunications, and technology sectors in Australia. |
11,677 | |||
| 7 | 11,326 | ||||
| 8 |
Monash Healthmonashhealth.org
A publicly-funded health service in Melbourne's Victoria, Australia, striving for excellence in healthcare, supporting staff, and the community with diverse career opportunities |
10,274 | |||
| 9 |
University of Technology Sydneyuts.edu.au
This dynamic and cosmopolitan university prepares graduates for a borderless workplace through its diverse and rich learning environment, recognized for excellence in teaching. |
10,093 | |||
| 10 |
Fortescuefortescue.com
Supplying global steel industries with iron ore while developing green energy technologies and zero emission solutions to eliminate fossil fuels across operations. |
10,056 | |||
| 11 |
Griffith Universitygriffith.edu.au
A globally-ranked university offering future-focused degrees, innovative research, and industry consultation, with a strong focus on social and environmental awareness |
9,996 | |||
| 12 |
Curtin Universitycurtin.edu.au
An internationally focused university with campuses in multiple countries, connecting students to industries and organizations globally, emphasizing real-world issues and job readiness |
9,451 | |||
| 13 |
The University of Western Australiauwa.edu.au
An Australian research university known for excellence, innovation, and enterprise, located on a picturesque campus in Perth along the Swan River |
8,751 | |||
| 14 |
Macquarie Universitymq.edu.au
A forward-thinking university dedicated to solving real-world problems through collaboration with students, academics, industry, and society |
8,022 | |||
| 15 |
Johnson Electricjohnsonelectric.com
A global leader in electric motors and motion systems, serving industries like Automotive, Medical Devices, and Home Automation Over 35,000 employees worldwide |
7,161 | |||
| 16 |
Aristocrataristocrat.com
A global entertainment and content creation company delivering world-leading casino and mobile games, focused on creating value and prioritizing employee well-being |
6,968 | |||
| 17 |
University of Newcastlenewcastle.edu.au
University offering flexible degrees, supporting diverse students, partnering with industry, and addressing global challenges through research and community engagement. |
6,843 | |||
| 18 | 6,817 | ||||
| 19 |
University of Adelaideadelaide.edu.au
A world-class research and higher education institution in a top liveable city, known for academic excellence and a diverse, high-achieving community |
6,561 | |||
| 20 |
The Royal Melbourne Hospitalthermh.org.au
A leading healthcare provider in Melbourne, dedicated to advancing healthcare through research, innovation, and a compassionate workforce, serving the community |
5,837 | |||
| 21 |
Flinders Universityflinders.edu.au
Leading Australian university focused on excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement with campuses across multiple regions. |
5,835 | |||
| 22 |
Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technologyflinders.edu.au
Utilizing cutting-edge research, we offer innovative solutions to address Australia's energy, health, security, and environmental challenges |
5,785 | |||
| 23 |
Alfred Healthalfredhealth.org.au
Leading metropolitan health service providing specialist medical, surgical, trauma, intensive care, research, education, and training across multiple hospital locations. |
5,721 | |||
| 24 |
University of Wollongonguow.edu.au
A modern and innovative institution focused on academic excellence, research, and teaching, with a global presence and commitment to making a tangible difference |
5,654 | |||
| 25 |
Cochlearcochlear.com
Global leader in implantable hearing solutions, dedicated to helping people hear and connect through innovative technologies and a commitment to lifelong hearing experiences |
4,820 | |||
Want more companies than this list?This page shows the largest ones only. Connect to Tamtam to see every company that matches, filter by size, industry or growth, and reach their decision-makers. | |||||
| 26 |
Ansellansell.com
Designs, manufactures, and markets personal protective equipment brands serving healthcare and industrial workers worldwide for workplace safety. |
4,736 | |||
| 27 |
Charles Sturt Universitycsu.edu.au
provides regional and online higher education across multiple campuses, focusing on sustainability, graduate employment, and Indigenous culture respect |
4,369 | |||
| 28 |
MECCA Brandsmecca.com
Delivers world-class beauty and skin-care brands through over one hundred retail stores and online platforms across Australia and New Zealand with expert service. |
4,124 | |||
| 29 |
St Vincent's Health Australiasvha.org.au
Leading not-for-profit healthcare provider operating hospitals, aged care facilities, and research institutes focused on compassionate patient care and medical innovation. |
3,904 | |||
| 30 |
Matermater.org.au
A longstanding organization dedicated to improving community health by combining expertise in healthcare, education, and research, with a focus on empowering individuals for better well-being |
3,732 | |||
| 31 |
BAE Systems Australiabaesystems.com
Develops cutting-edge technologies to protect Australia through diverse engineering and global teamwork, providing large-scale defense solutions and career opportunities in a growing sector. |
3,725 | |||
| 32 |
Boralboral.com.au
Australia's largest vertically-integrated construction materials company with operations spanning quarries, cement, bitumen, recycling, asphalt, and concrete batching Employing 9,000+ workers nationwide |
3,714 | |||
| 33 |
Epworthepworth.org.au
A leading not-for-profit private hospital group in Victoria, offering diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services with a focus on exceptional patient care |
3,522 | |||
| 34 |
GenesisCaregenesiscare.com
Provider of integrated cancer care globally, focusing on personalized treatment experiences and access to radiotherapy, diagnostics, oncology, surgery, and clinical trials |
3,134 | |||
| 35 |
WiseTech Globalwisetechglobal.com
Provides cloud software enabling complex logistics operations management for global freight forwarders and third-party logistics providers worldwide. |
3,063 | |||
| 36 |
St Vincent's Hospital Melbournesvhm.org.au
Leading teaching and research health service providing care across Melbourne with a focus on excellence, compassion, integrity, and justice |
3,007 | |||
| 37 |
University of Southern Queenslandunisq.edu.au
A regional university offering quality flexible degrees and programs in three locations, with high graduate starting salaries and online study options available |
2,969 | |||
| 38 |
Dyno Nobeldynonobel.com
Global leader in commercial explosives industry, providing blasting solutions and quality products worldwide with a focus on safety and innovation |
2,797 | |||
| 39 |
Nufarmnufarm.com
Global company providing crop protection and seed technologies, supporting sustainable agriculture and food production through innovation and partnerships. |
2,683 | |||
| 40 |
EML Groupeml.com.au
Specialists in work health and safety, offering tailored injury prevention, claims management, and return-to-work support for businesses and injured workers |
2,474 | |||
| 41 |
Charles Darwin Universitycdu.edu.au
Higher education provider offering flexible, online learning with strong ties to First Nations communities and research aligned with sustainability goals. |
2,390 | |||
| 42 |
Australian Red Cross Lifebloodlifeblood.com.au
An organization committed to providing life-giving products and services for the well-being of all Australians through blood donations and clinical excellence |
2,252 | |||
| 43 |
Silverchain Groupsilverchain.org.au
A leading Australian organization providing high-quality, in-home health and aged care services supported by research, technology, and compassionate care |
2,214 | |||
| 44 | 2,210 | ||||
| 45 | 2,099 | ||||
| 46 |
Sydney Children's Hospitals Networkschn.health.nsw.gov.au
Leading Australian paediatric healthcare network providing world-class care for children with specialized medical needs while focusing on family-centered healing environments |
2,075 | |||
| 47 |
Austalaustal.com
A global shipbuilder that designs, constructs, and sustains advanced commercial and defence vessels, with a focus on aluminium shipbuilding and international projects |
1,937 | |||
| 48 |
Cabrini HEALTHcabrini.com.au
A not-for-profit health service offering comprehensive care, education, and research, with a focus on patient well-being and community support |
1,922 | |||
| 49 |
Bureau of Meteorologybom.gov.au
Provides weather, climate, water, ocean, and space weather forecasts, warnings, and research to support safety and environmental management. |
1,907 | |||
| 50 |
Afyon Kocatepe Universityedu.tr
Turkish public higher education institution, offering diverse academic programs through faculties, institutes, schools, and research centers. |
1,765 | |||
Turn this list into pipeline
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How this list is built
Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 11, 2026.
More company lists in Australia
- The largest companies in Australia 5,556
- Multinational companies in Australia 1,184
- Retail chains in Australia 577
- Financial services firms in Australia 483
- Critical infrastructure operators in Australia 450
- Education providers in Australia 402
- Healthcare providers in Australia 397
- Professional services firms in Australia 377
- Financial Services companies in Australia 373
- Government Administration companies in Australia 351
- Public sector organisations in Australia 326
- Manufacturers in Australia 320
- Companies with a mobile app in Australia 305
- Publicly traded companies in Australia 299
- Hospitals and Health Care companies in Australia 297
- Corporate groups and holding companies in Australia 280
- E-commerce companies in Australia 247
- Retail companies in Australia 243
- IT Services and IT Consulting companies in Australia 215
- Consulting firms in Australia 210
- Non-profit Organizations companies in Australia 190
- Hotel and hospitality groups in Australia 188
- Construction companies in Australia 186
- SaaS companies in Australia 186