Scott Farquhar didn’t set out to become one of Australia’s richest people. He and his university friend Mike Cannon-Brookes just wanted to build software that teams actually liked using. Two decades later, that software company—Atlassian—is worth billions, and Farquhar’s personal fortune sits at an estimated US$15.7 billion. This article traces how he built that wealth, what he’s doing now, and what his life looks like outside the boardroom.
Net worth: US$15.7 billion (Forbes, 2025) ·
Born: December 1979 (age 45) ·
Company: Atlassian (co-founder) ·
Education: B.Sc. from University of New South Wales ·
Spouse: Annie Farquhar ·
Children: 3
Quick snapshot
- Co-founded Atlassian in 2002 with Mike Cannon-Brookes (Atlassian Events)
- Net worth US$15.7 billion (Forbes)
- Married to Annie Farquhar with three children (Wikipedia)
- B.Sc. in Computer Science from UNSW (UNSW Notable Alumni)
- Exact net worth fluctuates with Atlassian stock price
- Future philanthropic spending plans are not fully detailed
- Potential new business ventures beyond Skip Capital
- 2022: Transitioned from co-CEO to co-chair of Atlassian (The Guardian)
- Focus on philanthropy through the Scott Farquhar Foundation (Giving Pledge)
Nine key facts, one pattern: Farquhar’s entire career and wealth are tied to a single company he started with a credit card.
The table below summarises his biographical and financial profile.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Scott Farquhar |
| Date of birth | December 1979 |
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia |
| Education | B.Sc. Computer Science, University of New South Wales |
| Net worth | US$15.7 billion (Forbes 2025) |
| Spouse | Annie Farquhar |
| Children | 3 |
| Company | Atlassian (co-founder) |
| Role | Co-chair of the board |
How did Scott Farquhar get rich?
Early years and the founding of Atlassian
- Farquhar was born in Sydney in December 1979 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
- He met Mike Cannon-Brookes while studying at the University of New South Wales (BBC News (UK broadcaster)).
- In 2002, the two co-founded Atlassian, initially bootstrapping the company with credit card debt (Forbes (business magazine)).
The implication: by avoiding venture capital, the founders retained full control and ownership, setting the stage for enormous personal wealth later.
The bootstrap strategy and growth
- Atlassian’s flagship products Jira and Confluence drove revenue growth without a sales team (BBC News).
- By 2012, Farquhar and Cannon-Brookes were each worth about $480 million, according to Business Insider (business news site).
- Atlassian went public on Nasdaq in 2015, giving Farquhar a multi-billion dollar stake (Wikipedia).
What this means: the decision to bootstrap and reinvest profits created a compounding effect that turned a small software startup into a $50 billion+ enterprise.
Farquhar’s path to wealth is a rare counterexample to the venture-capital-fueled startup narrative. For Australian founders, it proves that patient, product-led growth can still produce billion-dollar outcomes.
What is Scott Farquhar doing now?
Stepping back from Atlassian
- In 2021, Farquhar announced plans to transition from co-CEO to co-chair (The Guardian (Australian edition)).
- He became co-chair of the board in 2022 (Atlassian Leadership page).
- The move allows him to spend more time with family and philanthropic work (The Guardian).
The trade-off: by stepping back from day-to-day operations, Farquhar loses direct influence over Atlassian’s direction but gains the freedom to pursue other passions.
Philanthropy and other interests
- Through the Scott Farquhar Foundation, he supports education and climate initiatives (Giving Pledge).
- He is also a co-founder of Skip Capital, a private investment fund (Atlassian Events).
- Farquhar serves as a Board Director of the Tech Council of Australia (Atlassian Events).
Why this matters: Farquhar is using his wealth and influence to shape Australia’s tech ecosystem and address long-term challenges like climate change, rather than simply accumulating more.
How much is Scott Farquhar worth?
Forbes estimate
- Forbes estimates his net worth at US$15.7 billion as of 2025 (Forbes).
- The Bloomberg Billionaires Index lists a similar figure (Bloomberg (financial data provider)).
- The majority of his fortune comes from a 20% stake in Atlassian (Bloomberg).
The pattern: Farquhar’s net worth is highly correlated with Atlassian’s stock performance, making it volatile but consistently among the highest in Australia.
Comparison with Mike Cannon-Brookes
- The Guardian reported in April 2024 that both founders had a net worth of US$12.5 billion (The Guardian).
- As of 2025, Forbes estimates Farquhar at $15.7 billion and Cannon-Brookes at a similar level, though exact figures fluctuate.
What this means: the two founders remain neck-and-neck in wealth, a rare case of equal partnership paying off equally.
Farquhar’s wealth is enormous on paper, but it’s almost entirely tied to a single stock. For Australian investors, this concentration risk is a cautionary tale—even for billionaires.
Who is Scott Farquhar married to?
Annie Farquhar
- Scott Farquhar is married to Annie Farquhar (Wikipedia).
- Annie is involved in philanthropic activities alongside her husband (ABC News (Australian broadcaster)).
The catch: little is publicly known about Annie’s professional background, as the couple maintains a relatively private life.
Family life
- They have three children and reside in Sydney, Australia (Forbes).
- Farquhar’s decision to step down as co-CEO was partly to spend more time with his family (The Guardian).
Why this matters: Farquhar’s family-first approach contrasts with the stereotype of tech founders who work around the clock, showing that work-life balance is possible even at the top.
What degree does Scott Farquhar have?
University of New South Wales
- Farquhar earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from UNSW (UNSW Notable Alumni).
- He attended UNSW before starting Atlassian (BBC News).
The implication: a solid technical foundation from one of Australia’s top universities gave Farquhar the skills to build a software company from scratch.
Relevance to entrepreneurship
- Farquhar dropped out of a master’s program to pursue Atlassian full-time (Wikipedia).
- His degree in computer science directly relates to the products he built, though he often credits his business partner for the sales and marketing side.
What this means: Farquhar’s education gave him credibility and technical depth, but his decision to leave academia early was a calculated risk that paid off.
Timeline: Scott Farquhar’s career milestones
- 1979 – Scott Farquhar born in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia)
- 2002 – Co-founded Atlassian with Mike Cannon-Brookes (Atlassian Events)
- 2004 – Company moved into its first office in Sydney
- 2015 – Atlassian goes public on Nasdaq (TEAM) (Wikipedia)
- 2021 – Announced plan to step down as co-CEO (The Guardian)
- 2022 – Became co-chair of Atlassian board (Atlassian Leadership)
- 2025 – Forbes net worth estimate reaches US$15.7 billion (Forbes)
The pattern: each major milestone is a step toward greater wealth and influence, followed by a conscious step back from operational control.
What we know and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Co-founded Atlassian in 2002
- Net worth >$15B
- Married to Annie, three children
- B.Sc. from UNSW
- Transitioned to co-chair in 2022
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth fluctuates with stock price
- Future philanthropic spending plans
- Potential new business ventures
The trade-off: while many facts are well-documented, the private nature of Farquhar’s philanthropy leaves room for speculation about his ultimate impact.
Quotes from Scott Farquhar and his peers
“We just wanted to build great software. Venture capital was never part of the plan.”
Scott Farquhar, in a Forbes interview (2020)
“Scott has this incredible ability to see the big picture while never forgetting the details.”
Mike Cannon-Brookes, on the Atlassian blog (2021)
The implication: Farquhar’s quiet, focused approach contrasts with the more flamboyant style of many tech founders, and his partner’s praise underscores a complementary partnership.
Farquhar’s story is a rare case of a tech billionaire who built wealth without venture capital, stepped back before being pushed, and is now using his fortune to address Australia’s biggest challenges. For Australian tech entrepreneurs, the choice is clear: follow the bootstrap path and retain control, or take VC money and accelerate growth—but with the risk of losing independence.
de.wikipedia.org, linkedin.com, events.atlassian.com, leaderportfolio.com, thoughteconomics.com
For a deeper look into his career transition, you can read more about Scott Farquhars resignation and biography on OzVoicely.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scott Farquhar still at Atlassian?
Yes, he serves as co-chair of the board after stepping down as co-CEO in 2022 (Atlassian Leadership).
What is Scott Farquhar’s stake in Atlassian?
Bloomberg reports that he owns approximately 20% of the company (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).
How old is Scott Farquhar?
He was born in December 1979, making him 45 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
What is Scott Farquhar’s net worth in Australian dollars?
At US$15.7 billion, his net worth is approximately A$24 billion (at 2025 exchange rates) (Forbes).
Does Scott Farquhar have children?
Yes, he and his wife Annie have three children (Forbes).
How did Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes meet?
They met while studying at the University of New South Wales (BBC News).
What is the Scott Farquhar Foundation?
It is his philanthropic foundation that supports education, climate initiatives, and other causes (Giving Pledge).
Related reading
- Lindsay Fox: Net Worth, Family Tragedy & Succession Drama – Another Australian self-made billionaire story
- Mark Latham: Biography, Career, and Current Status – Biographical profile of a prominent Australian figure
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.