BHP Billion top company by revenue

BHP Billiton generated $72.97 billion in revenue in 2014.

Woolworths signage in Sydney

Retailer Woolworths has become Australia's second biggest revenue earner in 2014. (AAP)

Retailer Woolworths has jumped over Wesfarmers - which owns rival supermarket Coles - to become Australia's second biggest revenue earner in 2014.

Woolworths jumped from fourth spot in the prior year, with total 2014 revenue of $61.2 billion, according to market research provider IBISWorld.

Wesfarmers dropped to third spot, with $60.5 billion in revenue.

But the retail giants lag behind global miner BHP Billiton which is still Australia's biggest revenue-generating company.

BHP Billiton generated $72.97 billion in revenue in 2014.

IBISWorld said movement amongst the top 10 revenue generators was limited, with AustralianSuper the only dropout, falling from 10th in 2013 to 15th in 2014.

Average revenue growth across the top 1000 was 7.5 per cent - down from 14.6 per cent growth in the prior year.

Law firms performed well as a result of companies restructuring and an increase in commercial activity. Law firms on the top 1000 list generated growth in revenue of 18 per cent overall.

Engineering consulting continued its strong run in 2014 despite a slight fall in average revenue growth.

Continued major infrastructure projects, and alliances and consolidation within the industry offset a decline in mining investment.

Telecommunications companies had mixed results as competition for market share and the migration from wired to wireless telecommunications.

Telstra lifted its revenue by 5.8 per cent, driven by investment in its mobile network.

The fast food sector suffered from weak growth as consumers shifted to healthier food and consumer sentiment was volatile.

Nonetheless, Domino's Pizzas jumped 380 places on the list after its revenue grew by 98.5 per cent. Domino's opened new stores and invested in online platforms and applications, which appealed to younger consumers.

AUSTRALIA'S TOP TEN COMPANIES BY REVENUE in 2014

1. BHP Billiton

$72.97bn

2. Woolworths

$61.21bn

3. Wesfarmers

$60.52bn

4. Rio Tinto

$59.14bn

5. NAB

$45.34bn

6. Commonwealth Bank

$44.31bn

7. Westpac

$38.64bn

8. ANZ

$35.25bn

9. Telstra

$26.45bn

10. Caltex Australia

$24.73bn


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Source: AAP

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