Migrant to mogul: How Vikas Rambal built a billion-dollar empire in Australia
'When I was asked about number of cars in India, it hit me hard because it made me realise that Indians had not yet made a strong mark here," Rambal, the Managing Director, Founder and Chair of Perdaman Group, said.
Vikas Rambal (second from R) with his wife Megha (second from L) and two sons during his early years in Australia. Credit: Perdaman's Office "That's when I decided I needed to establish myself.' Rambal migrated to Australia in 2000 and has since been passionately involved in developing and expanding chemical manufacturing facilities in the country. Today, he is known for his project to develop a multi-billion-dollar fertiliser plant on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia's far north-west. His net worth is estimated at $4.98 billion.
But, he says his focus lies beyond just accumulating wealth.
Perdaman chairman Vikas Rambal Credit: Supplied by Vikas Rambhal's office "Wealth isn't my primary focus—it's growth that drives me. My goal is to create more millionaires, and I believe that path will naturally lead me to becoming a billionaire," Rambal said. 'I initially came here with the idea of building a solar farm, but I believe manufacturing is the future for Australia and that's what I have been working towards," Rambal said.
Perdaman secured a $6 billion urea project which kicked off a few years ago and according to Rambal, it would be Australia's largest fertiliser manufacturing project.
Vikas Rambal with WA Premier and others. Credit: Supplied by Perdaman Group office The plant will convert natural gas from Woodside's Scarborough Gas Project into an estimated 2.3 million tonnes of urea per annum, for both domestic and international consumption.
Recalling his initial struggle to establish his Indian identity, he said he has since been actively working to build a bridge between India and Australia.
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13/07/2025 06:47 Hindi 'Many Indians who've migrated overseas have, by and large, acquired existing businesses, but we built projects from the ground up,' he says. 'But when I approached Australian lenders with my business proposals soon after I arrived here, they travelled to India just to verify my credentials." "I believe what we lack as a community is a strong identity, despite all the hard work we've put in here.' He now aims to create a pool of talent especially young and empower others to follow in his footsteps and become wealth creators in their own right.
"In my view if I am able to create more millionaires, I will improve my ranking as a billionaire automatically. And that's my vision for my future" he adds.
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07/05/2025 12:02 Hindi Find all our podcasts here at: SBS Hindi Podcast Collection.
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