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US-based executives dominate list of highest-paid ASX CEOs

Published July 15, 2026 at 2:52 AM UTC

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A new report has highlighted a growing trend on the Australian sharemarket, with US-based chief executives now occupying half of the top 10 spots for highest-paid leaders. The annual study by the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) reveals that Life360 CEO Chris Hulls topped the list for the 2025 financial year, with realised pay reaching $47.7 million. This figure, which includes salary, bonuses, and the value of vested share options, is approximately 500 times the average annual earnings of a full-time Australian worker.

The ACSI report, which tracks remuneration across the ASX200, shows that while Australian-based executive pay has remained relatively disciplined, the presence of foreign-domiciled leaders at the helm of ASX-listed companies is shifting the landscape. Alongside Mr. Hulls, other US-based executives such as ResMed’s Mick Farrell and News Corp’s Robert Thomson also featured prominently among the highest earners. These pay packages are often heavily weighted toward performance-based equity incentives, which can balloon in value when a company’s share price performs strongly.

Despite the eye-catching totals for the top earners, the report notes that median base salaries for ASX100 CEOs have actually stagnated over the last 15 years. The rise in total realised pay is largely driven by complex incentive structures rather than fixed salary increases. Investors and remuneration committees continue to face pressure to balance competitive pay, which is necessary to attract global talent, against the public and shareholder desire for wage restraint.

As the market continues to evolve, the distinction between Australian-based and international leadership will likely remain a point of discussion for superannuation funds and institutional investors. The report suggests that while Australian boards have largely avoided the runaway salary growth seen in some overseas markets, the integration of global companies into the ASX ecosystem brings different compensation norms that shareholders will need to navigate in the coming years.