A select group of Australian companies have made it onto Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2024 list – including a few that have been in the headlines lately for the wrong reasons.

Key Background

For the first time, Microsoft has claimed the top spot on this year’s list, moving up from its previous placements between second and fourth in past rankings. Alphabet, better known as Google, came in second after consistently placing within the top eight for the last seven years. Samsung Electronics, which previously held the No. 1 position for four years straight, secured the third spot.

Australian companies and rankings

• BHP Group (90)
• Wesfarmers (144)
• ANZ Group Holdings (160)
• NAB (252)
• Westpac Banking Group (283)
• Commonwealth Bank (286)
• Atlassian (299)
• Suncorp (429)
• Woolworths (583)
• Telstra (605)
• Lendlease (601)
• Harvey Norman (654)
• Cotton On Group (773)
• Qantas Airways (818)

Big Number

190,000: The number of employees at Woolworths, making it the largest Australian employer on the list.

Tangent

Despite making the list, it’s been a rough 12 months for a few of this year’s local inclusions.

Woolworths has faced significant scrutiny recently, with CEO Brad Banducci stepping down amid a string of ongoing controversies. Banducci’s decision follows a turbulent few months for the supermarket giant, including an intense interview with ABC’s Four Corners, where Banducci was questioned about allegations of price gouging during Australia’s cost-of-living crisis.

The company has posted strong profits, but accusations of inflating prices and reducing competition in the retail space have led to public backlash and a Senate inquiry.

Meanwhile Qantas has endured its own fair share of drama over the past year, highlighted by its sale of over 8,000 “ghost flights”—cancelled flights still sold to customers—which led to an ACCC investigation. The airline also faced backlash over poor service, delayed flights, and lost baggage. Amid these controversies, CEO Alan Joyce stepped down two months early, passing the reins to Vanessa Hudson​.

Methodology

Forbes and Statista surveyed over 300,000 employees in 50 countries to compile the list, which ranks companies based on criteria such as employee satisfaction, salary, career development opportunities, and remote work options. The companies must operate in at least two regions and employ more than 1,000 workers. The 850 companies with the highest overall scores made the final list.

Tap here to see the full list