Fed up with taxes, Aussies are following Adrian Portelli to Dubai. The ATO is watching
Adrian Portelli, a Melbourne-born billionaire, has relocated to Dubai, citing dissatisfaction with Australia's tax policies as the main reason. He claims the Australian government is 'chasing away success' and that regulatory challenges with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have made it difficult for entrepreneurs to operate within the country. Portelli's comments gained significant attention through a podcast interview with Karl Stefanovic, prompting discussions about wealthy Australians potentially leaving the country for more favorable tax environments abroad. In response to these trends, Melbourne-based lawyer Victoria Wells and others have launched 'Project Get Out,' a business aimed at helping Australians relocate overseas, particularly to places like Dubai, Singapore, and Bali, which offer lower tax burdens. However, experts caution that while tax savings may be appealing, many businesses remain subject to Australian taxation if their revenue primarily comes from within the country.
Fed up with taxes, Aussies are following Adrian Portelli to Dubai. The ATO is watching September 19, 2026–1:30pm Billionaire Adrian Portelli has relocated to Dubai, citing Australia's "exceedingly harsh tax settings" as a key reason for his decision. In a recent episode of Karl Stefanovic’s controversial podcast, Portelli expressed distrust in the Australian government, claiming it has targeted him with "regulatory issues" and "ATO issues." He stated, "I’ve had regulatory issues to ATO issues, and I just can’t handle it," highlighting his frustration with the country’s tax policies. Portelli, who has over one million followers on social media, announced his move to the Middle East in August, responding to this year’s federal budget and its changes to capital gains and property taxes. These reforms, he argued, risk stifling innovation in Australia. Other young entrepreneurs have echoed similar concerns, uniting to oppose the changes to capital gains taxes. Portelli and Stefanovic’s conversation suggested that wealthy Australians might increasingly choose to relocate overseas, seeking environments with lighter regulatory burdens. According to Victoria Wells, a Melbourne lawyer who established her firm, Ape Law, in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, more Australians are considering relocation. Last month, Wells and partner Stephan Roberto, alongside Bali-based influencers Matt Cameron and Felicity Morgan, launched "Project Get Out," a business aimed at helping Australians, especially those in tech, move abroad. They received over 1,000 inquiries shortly after launching, coinciding with Portelli’s growing public attention. Experts caution that relocating to Dubai does not guarantee immediate tax advantages. Deakin Business School lecturer Dr Kerui Zhai noted that while Australia’s higher personal income taxes and revised capital gains rules are driving some entrepreneurs to the UAE, companies earning most of their income from Australia may still face Australian corporate tax obligations. Dubai, however, continues to compete with Singapore and Bali to attract expatriates, offering tax incentives and lifestyle benefits. Approximately 25,000 Australians reside and work in Dubai, with expats accounting for around 88% of the UAE’s broader population, which stood at 11 million in 2025, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Professor Sunita Jogarajan from the University of Melbourne Law School observed a long-term rise in Australians relocating overseas since the pandemic, with destinations like Bali and Singapore also promoting tax benefits. She noted an increase in cases involving Australians’ tax statuses, as evidenced by the Administrative Review Tribunal. Records indicate the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is actively pursuing individuals living abroad who are classified as tax residents, demanding payment regardless of location. Trong Quy, an engineer, attempted to claim a refund of $524,943.29 from the ATO for the period between 2016 and 2020, arguing Dubai was his primary residence. However, his final bid was rejected in March 2025, as the tribunal ruled he remained a resident of Australia. The judgment stated, "Despite not treating Australia as his home in the relevant years, the applicant maintained connections with Australia that are objectively inconsistent with his ‘abandoning’ residence in Australia and making Dubai a ‘permanent’ (in the s"
Go to the primary sources (1)
The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.
Adrian Portelli, a Melbourne-born billionaire, has relocated to Dubai citing dissatisfaction with Australia's tax policies, particularly the recent changes to capital gains and property taxes. He claims the Australian government is 'chasing away success' and expresses distrust toward authorities, especially the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Portelli's comments gained attention through a podcast interview with Karl Stefanovic, sparking discussions about wealthy Australians potentially leaving the country for more favorable tax environments. Victoria Wells, a Melbourne lawyer now based in the UAE, co-founded 'Project Get Out,' a business aimed at helping Australians relocate overseas, particularly to Dubai, Singapore, and Bali. While some entrepreneurs see opportunities in lower tax regimes abroad, experts caution that the process is complex, noting that businesses with significant revenue from Australia may still face domestic taxation obligations.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the issue of tax policy as a driver for wealthy individuals to leave Australia, emphasizing criticism of the government's approach and highlighting the potential loss of innovation and economic activity. It presents the perspective of entrepreneurs and legal professionals who view
Why factuality (85): Like article 0, this article focuses on Portelli's move to Dubai and tax concerns, which are not covered in the primary source. While the content is largely identical to article 0, it lacks any reference to the UK expansion or the controversy surrounding LMCT. The factual claims about Portelli's vie
Why objectivity (65): The article maintains the same biased tone as article 0, favoring Portelli's narrative without presenting opposing viewpoints. It frames the situation as a personal choice driven by tax policy, without addressing broader implications or criticisms of his business practices.
Adrian Portelli, a Melbourne-born billionaire, has relocated to Dubai, citing dissatisfaction with Australia's tax policies as the main reason. He claims the Australian government is 'chasing away success' and that regulatory challenges with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have made it difficult for entrepreneurs to operate within the country. Portelli's comments gained significant attention through a podcast interview with Karl Stefanovic, prompting discussions about wealthy Australians potentially leaving the country for more favorable tax environments abroad. In response to these trends, Melbourne-based lawyer Victoria Wells and others have launched 'Project Get Out,' a business aimed at helping Australians relocate overseas, particularly to places like Dubai, Singapore, and Bali, which offer lower tax burdens. However, experts caution that while tax savings may be appealing, many businesses remain subject to Australian taxation if their revenue primarily comes from within the country.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives, entrepreneurs like Adrian Portelli criticizing Australia's tax policies and experts cautioning about the complexities of relocating for tax benefits. It does not favor one side over the other but rather provides balanced viewpoints from individuals and experts.
Why factuality (85): The article discusses Adrian Portelli moving to Dubai due to tax concerns, which is not mentioned in the primary source document. This introduces new information not present in the original report. However, the details about Portelli's criticism of the ATO and his relocation are plausible given his
Why objectivity (65): The article presents a clear bias towards Portelli's perspective, quoting him extensively and portraying his move as a reaction to 'harsh tax settings' without providing counterarguments from authorities or critics. The tone leans sympathetic to Portelli, suggesting a lack of neutrality.
How each side covered it
The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.
progressive
center
conservative
★
How each side covered it
Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.
Australia
![[Ruth Pollard] The world courts Kim Jong-un](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=www.lexpress.fr%2Fresizer%2Fv2%2FD3IZXNO2UZBUJCJO5MQX3ULULY.JPG%3Fauth%3Dbeff8911aaab2c90e32f72660a59443e940bb324f6d27fad58bf6040702def37%26smart%3Dtrue%26width%3D5028%26height%3D3352&w=3840&q=75&output=webp&we)
