The Asia-driven resources boom has seen iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest replace gaming and media mogul James Packer as Australia's richest person, according to an annual list released on Wednesday.

The BRW magazine's Rich 200 list says Forrest, chief executive of Fortescue Mining Ltd, is worth A$9.41-billion ($9.04-billion).

Packer, who heads gaming company Crown Ltd and media firm Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd, drops from top spot to number three, with his estimated wealth falling to $6.1-billion from $7.25-billion last year.

In between, Westfield shopping centre tycoon Frank Lowy retained second place with $6.3-billion.

BRW magazine noted the return of former bankrupt and convicted fraudster Alan Bond to its list of the nation's richest people.

Bond bounced back at number 157 with an estimated fortune of $265-million, eight years after being released from jail, with his interests focused on oil and diamonds in Africa.

He was convicted in 1997 of defrauding Bell Resources of $1.2-billion and spent just over three years in jail before his release in 2000.

Australia's richest woman and the youngest person on the rich list also made their money from mining.

Gina Rinehart ranked fifth with $4.39-billion, while Nathan Tinkler (32), is estimated to have made $426-million mainly from coal.

AFP