After Dubai for Australian Expats

Australian Expats After Dubai

Australian expats in Dubai often hold senior positions in construction, engineering, mining services, education, and aviation. Many have families with children in British or Australian curriculum schools. When considering life after Dubai, proximity to home and the Asia-Pacific region is often a priority.

What are the best destinations for Australians leaving Dubai?

Bali is overwhelmingly the top choice for Australian expats — it is just a 6-hour direct flight from major Australian cities, shares a similar time zone, and has Australian curriculum schools (AIS Bali). The Bali-Australia corridor is well-established with regular flights and a large Australian community. Thailand (particularly Phuket and Bangkok) is second most popular. Malaysia offers a familiar Commonwealth culture with excellent infrastructure.

Australian Tax Implications

Australia taxes residents on worldwide income, and the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) has specific rules about when expats cease being Australian tax residents. Many Australian expats in Dubai maintain non-resident status, and this can continue when relocating to a third country — provided you do not trigger Australian residency tests. Superannuation, CGT on Australian property, and HECS-HELP debt obligations require specific planning. Our tax partners specialize in Australian expat tax optimization.