He decided to emigrate to Australia and arrived in Western Australia aboard the Montreal in 1839.
He went into business with his relative, Edward Hamersley, and acquired land in the Toodyay Valley, where Phillips built his homestead named Culham.[1] The land was acquired from Alfred Waylen, who had taken up large tracts in the area after it was explored by Robert Dale then opened up to pastoralists.[2] After developing Culham for 12 years Phillips pioneered the area around the Irwin River and took up 20,000 acres (8,094 ha), which he stocked with cattle. He was later joined by Hamersley, Burges and Vigors forming a cattle stud business. When the partnership dissolved Phillips' share was composed of an 8,000-acre (3,237 ha) estate and over 100,000 acres (40,469 ha) of leaseholdings.[2]
Nominated to join the Legislative Council in June 1857 he later represented the Eastern Districts and remained until his retirement in 1872.[3]
