A fourth-generation Queensland builder has defied a federal work ban and a slowing housing market to grow revenue 43.8 per cent in 2016-17, and enter the top ten of IBISWorld's Top 500 Private Companies list for the first time.

Hutchinson Builders' surge to a $2.3 billion turnover puts it within $500 million of Australia's two largest private builders, Meriton and BGC, but still a long way behind box-maker Visy, whose continued reign as the largest private company was assured by 14 per cent revenue growth to $6.5 billion as it expanded in the US.