Top five highest-paid directors in Australia revealed

They head up some of the biggest companies in the world — and they are compensated accordingly.

The top five highest-paid Australian company directors earn more than 8 million dollars between them, according to the Australian Financial Review.

And now their eye-watering salaries have been revealed.

TOP FIVE HIGHEST-PAID AUSTRALIAN COMPANY DIRECTORS

John Mullen

Treasury Wine, Brambles, Qantas

$2.1 million

Qantas Chairman-elect, John Mullen, is the chairman of Treasury Wine Estates and Brambles.

Mr Mullen has extensive experience in international transportation and logistics, with more than two decades in senior positions with some of the world’s largest transport and infrastructure companies.

He was chief executive officer of Asciano from 2011 to 2017 John, and the global chief executive officer at DHL express for 15 years prior.

Mr Mullen was the chairman of Toll Holdings from 2016 to 2022 and stepped down as Telstra chairman in 2023 after seven years in the role.

Steven Gregg

Westpac, Ampol, Lottery Corporation

$1.9 million

Steven Gregg is the Chairman of Westpac Banking Corporation, Ampol Limited, The Lottery Corporation (retiring first quarter of calendar year 2024), and Unisson Disability Limited.

Mr Gregg has more than 35 years’ experience in global financial services, strategy consulting and professional services across Australia, Asia, Europe and the US.

Mr Gregg is also a Director of William Inglis & Son Limited, and was formerly the Chairman of Tabcorp Holdings Limited, Goodman Fielder Limited and Austock Group Limited, and formerly a Non-executive Director at Challenger Limited.

Scott Perkins

Origin, Brambles, Woolworths

$1.8 million

Scott Perkins is the Chair of Origin Energy, Director of Brambles, the Chair of Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Independent Hair of Woolworths Group.

Mr Perkins is an experienced public company director and has extensive Australian and international experience as a leading corporate advisor on strategy, mergers and acquisitions and capital market matters.

Richard Goyder

Woodside, Qantas

$1.8 million

Following his retirement as managing director of Wesfarmers in 2017, Richard Goyder became a professional director and has been the Chairman of Qantas Airways. Woodside Petroleum, AFL Commission, Channel 7 Telethon Trust and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. He is an honorary member of the Business Council of Australia, and a Fellow of the AICD.

Mr Goyder was also formerly Chairman of the Australian B20 and JDRF Australia.

Dominic Barton

Rio Tinto

$1.5 million

Dominic Barton is the Chair of Woodside.

He spent more than 30 years at McKinsey & Company, including nine years as the Global Managing Partner, and has also held a broad range of public sector leadership positions. He has served as Canada’s Ambassador to China, Chair of Canada’s Advisory Council for Economic Growth, and Chair of the International Advisory Committee to the President of South Korea on National Future and Vision.

Mr Barton is also the Chair of LeapFrog Investments and Chancellor of the University of Waterloo.