If you’ve been dreaming about moving away from a high cost of living & economic mismanagement – then become an Internet Entrepreneur in Asia.
I moved to the Philippines in Dec 2023 for a change of pace, to enjoy the nature, ocean, friendly people, food, living cost, & build SBMarketer.
See an overview on SBMarketer’s High-Performance Marketing Websites system here.
“As a person who loves Asia & living in Davao Del Norte, here are the benefits of being an Internet Entrepreneur in Asia.”
But first, how it all started for me.
In 2003 & 2005 I travelled to Bali Indonesia for surfing holidays, which had amazing Hindu culture & cuisine with a perfect mix of waves like Uluwatu, Padang & Dreamland Beach. I was in heaven.
In 2008 I visited Thailand enjoying monk culture, large temples, a Golden Palace on Chao Phraya river, delicious food (duck curry), chill beaches in Phuket & the Chang Mai mountains.
Then I found the Philippines in 2011 – which has my favourite surfing place Siargao Island, my beautiful wife Luchie from Davao Del Norte, & palm tree beaches like Mati, Lanca & Panglao with surfing & reef snorkelling.
1. Change of Pace
As a new visitor in Asia, you will notice a change of pace if you’re staying in smaller provincial cities or coastal towns. It might be early in the week & you can hear music playing or karaoke any time.
The ambience relaxes me while working on websites, writing articles & posting socials. It also helps to keep the creative ideas flowing.
“I find the slower pace good for my mental wellbeing & for working online, but you need discipline to work & say no to invitations.”
Depending on your family circles, it’s normal to be invited to birthdays during the week or have family drop in, which is a chance to be social.
Many people have Sari stores (in homes), food/drink kiosks & Street carts, so there’s always people around in the day, unlike in AU where everyone is working.
I start my day mid-morning & work late into the evenings when it’s cooler. Waking up without an alarm is golden after many years of working in corporate with early starts.
I can recommend this change of pace to anyone who’s feeling over-worked & exhausted in western countries.
2. Lower Cost Of Living
For accommodation in Brisbane it’s AU $600-700 /week for a starter 3-4BR unit/house. In a provincial city in the Philippines, this will get you a house for two-months.
“Lower cost of Living is a major advantage of being an Internet Entrepreneur in Asia”
Food is less due to lower property, transport & labour costs. My weekly groceries P4000 (AU $108) are half the AU cost.
I buy seafood, fruit & vegetables at the markets, e.g. Marlin/Tuna/Prawns P350 per kg (AU $10).
The cost of eating in local cafes/restaurants is one third of AU cost, or lower in local eateries. P500-1000 (AU $12-25) gets a meal for two with four seasons juice or iced tea/coffee.
Public transport is less, P50 (AU $1.35) gets you a motor or tricycle to the mall or bus terminal, & P120 (AU $3.24) gets you to the next city. I paid almost $5 for a 15km bus ride to Brisbane CBD.
Buying cars is similar but it’s less for registration & ins. P3,960 (AU $107) gets 12-mths. registration, emission test, & 3rd-party ins. In Brisbane it’s $800 for 12-mths. with public liability.
Car insurance is less, P9000 (AU $243) gets you full comprehensive cover, for about one third of the AU cost of an experienced “Rating-1” driver.
Car servicing is less, my last oil & filter change was P2300 (AU $62), & I get parts online. My Subaru fuel pump & filter cost P5900 (AU $160) from Lazada & one week.
Fuel is less, before Iran war I paid P55-60/L (AU $1.48-1.62/L) for Premium, in AU it ranged from $1.80-2.20/L. Now it’s P75/L.
Electricity is less, I pay P4500/mo (AU $110) to run 1 fan & AC daytime & AC at night. I paid $115/mo in AU using mainly fans.
3. High Speed Internet & Mobile
As an Internet entrepreneur in Asia, you will appreciate high-speed Internet at home & on mobile devices, which is in many cities.
It’s possible to earn money online by building an Internet business or by joining 3rd-party platforms like AirTasker, Upwork, & Fiverr.
My home Internet with PLDT cable is 200-300 MBPS download on a P1700 (AU $46) monthly plan. In AU my monthly was $59 with TPG but only 50-100 MBPS download.
PLDT is fast & reliable for working online & it comes with free landline calls (PLDT to PLDT). Starlink is also available with 200 Mbps plans from P2700/mo (AU $73) plus the kit.
“Fast Internet & Mobile for less cost is a big advantage in the Philippines.”
My mobile is less with a Smart TNT Magic Data+ P849 (AU $23) plan, I get 60GB, 900 mins. talk, 900 text no expiry. In AU I was on $45/mo Vodafone with 60GB data & unli. calls & text.
The mobile plans are different to AU, some with time-limited credit (1-day, 7-days, 30-days) Data only, or Talk & Text only, or Data+ Talk & Text.
Landlines are excluded from your talk credit on TNT (mobile to mobile), but on other plans they’re included – international calls are excluded.
I use a TNT sim on the Smart network, & have the Smart App to buy my plan on card. There’s also Globe network & I occasionally switch travelling.
I keep my AU number for 2FA messages for mobile banking & digital authentication. Call Vodafone before you leave & change to a pre-paid plan, e.g. $40 Pay&Go (lasts 1-yr).
I use a VPN Service for security on public networks, & to enable AU Apps to work here, e.g. Nine Now, Netflix, & Foxtel. I found a Black Friday deal $79 for 29-mths from Surfshark.
4. Islands, Beaches & Nature
As an Internet entrepreneur in Asia, you’re going to love the islands, beaches & nature.
Imagine Fri afternoon & finishing work online then packing the bag/car for a weekend surfing trip.
The Philippines has 7000+ islands with beaches, & lush nature which draws 5.45 million tourists annually. Visit places like Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, & Siargao Island.
“Siargao Island is the surfing capital of the Philippines with a dozen breaks like Cloud 9, Daku Island, & Salvacion my fav.”
When I found Siargao in 2011, I was stoked it was like Bali in the 70’s – take a short pump-boat ride to various breaks. These days it’s busy with tourists Sep-Dec, but still worth it for the waves & island vibe. See Siargao Surf Guide.
Tinuy-an Falls is the tallest & widest waterfall I have seen here & you can ride a bamboo raft. It’s a cool place for a day trip & picnic in a Kubo.
One trip to Cebu, Bohol, & Panglao was amazing. My wife & I stayed with some friends in Cebu, enjoyed the nightlife then travelled on a fastcraft to Bohol Island & Alona beach Panglao.
A day tour in Bohol started in a Butterfly Sanctuary with pythons, we then visited the Chocolate Hills, a man-made forest in Bilar, the Loboc River cruise & buffet (highlight) & the Baclayon 1727 church.
Mati is my local surf break for day trips or overnight stays. It has a slow-paced local vibe, & the surf breaks over a rocky ocean floor along a 5km stretch of the Dahican-Bobon Rd.
Aliwagwag Falls is amazing to see in the wet season (Jul to Dec). It’s a rocky & wide waterfall that slopes up a hill. I went there a few years ago & it was raging from a storm with lush plants.
San Victor Island Baganga is a small deserted tropical island. It’s a short five-minute boat ride, take your own picnic or BBQ & walk around the island until the wind stops, then go surfing.
Palawan is next on my bucket list with volcanic rock islands, & hidden beaches & lagoons.
5. Convenient Travel Hub
The Philippines is only 3.5hrs to Singapore & it can be flown from Manila or Davao.
Flying from Davao to Cebu, Manila, or Singapore are common routes & affordable. My last trip to Cebu was P5940 (AU$160) for 2 pax return, & you can fly to Manila for similar.
“Travelling on local airlines with Philippines Airlines or Cebu Pacific, & by inter-city busses to the airport is affordable, reliable, & safe.”
I travelled to Bangkok from Davao via MAN with Cebu Pacific, & from Bali to Davao via MAN with PAL. I find it easy to travel in South-East Asia.
I live in a provincial city (Tagum) partly due to the light traffic, unlike in Manila, Cebu, & Davao, where traffic is heavy, so keep this in mind.
Be patient on the roads in capital cities as they’re congested & smaller. The traffic peak is hectic with bikes, trikes, cars & trucks competing.
My last trip to AU was from Davao to Brisbane via Manila with PAL, or you can fly Scoot via Singapore to Sydney, then go Jetstar to BNE.
It’s easy to travel by road around provincial & coastal cities in the Philippines. Most people ride motorcycles, or drive utes & SUVs.
I drive to Mati Dahican for the white sand beaches & surfing, which has a stunning mountain background.
If you’re looking to buy a car here, make sure it’s reliable with good suspension. The roads are bumpy with bitumen, cement & dirt roads.
6. Visas For Entrepreneurs
You can start on a 30-day VOA (CAN, AU, NZ, & EU citizens) or 59-day VOA (US citizens), then extend on a Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension.
I qualified for a Balikbayan (visa free) privilege for marrying a Filipina, which entitles us to live here for 12-months, before extending as tourists.
In May 2023, BI announced a new Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) to catch up with other countries.
Holders of the DNV are able to live in the Philippines & work for foreign businesses online for a period of 12-months & extend.
In April 2025, the DNV was approved & the country began taking applications in June (nomadembassy).
“DNV holders are exempt from paying local income tax, but still pay tax at home.”
To qualify, you need a valid passport with 6-mths. beyond stay, & show income of US $24K per year (AU $37K) from foreign or self-employment, have health insurance, & police clearance.
Or stay as a tourist VOA & extend up to 6-mths per time. You can do this for 2-3 years & it costs P2060/mth. (AU $56) with add-ons, plus an express fee P1500 (AU $41) each BI visit.
After 12-months an Alien registration ACR-I card P2965 (AU $80) is needed, along with ECC exit clearance P850 (AU $22) prior departing.
Insurance starts from AU $1250 pp on a 12-mo plan with World Nomads which is fine for most.
Start learning the ten steps to personal branding for new entrepreneurs & get the ball rolling.
7. Territorial Tax System
The Philippines is a territorial tax system which means people are taxed on the income they earn here, not on income earned overseas.
This tax system can be an advantage for AU expats who switch to non-tax residents, earn foreign-sourced income & properly manage it.
Non-resident companies are taxed 25% on their gross Philippine-sourced income, & there’s a Tax treaty with AU to prevent double taxation. Learn more about doing business in the Philippines.
“Make sure you understand the tax-residency implications at home before you go, as the ATO has strict rules on tax residency.”
If you have property in AU or inherit property & want to sell it, there are implications around CGT discounts for non-tax residents.
AU expats are encouraged to keep their home domicile & live in both countries (6-mths & 6-mths) to retain tax residency under the ATO domicile & 183-day rules.
The ATO discourages long-stays abroad, & it’s up to their discretion whether you’re taxed as a resident (Starts 13-22% approx.), or foreigner (Starts 32% approx.).
If they say you’ve abandoned your home in AU by renting or selling it, or you’ve set-up a place overseas, or you’ve been abroad for 2-3 years, then your likely taxed as a foreigner.
In ATO examples working away 1-year keeps your tax residency, however 2-years is substantial & 3-year examples are taxed as foreigners.
So keep this in mind for managing your AU tax residency while abroad.
Some expats travel back to AU for 6-months to meet the 183-day rule & keep tax residency.
Others switch to non-tax residents which protects their foreign-sourced income, foregoing AU tax free thresholds & CGT discounts.
To learn more find a good taxation specialist experienced in expats like Odin Tax.
8. Friendly & Respectful People
Filipinos are well known for being friendly hospitable people, & most foreigners who come here are welcomed with open arms.
Most Filipinos can speak & understand English as it’s learned in school, & the older generation mostly understand me, but my accent & using Aussie slang or shortening words can confuse people.
“The Philippines is a polite & respectful place, where children & teens will greet you with a blessing.”
In Mindanao the residents mainly speak Bisaya with each other or Tagalog with visitors from Northern & Central Philippines.
People from Luzon & the Visayas use Tagalog the national language. In outer provinces there’s also many different dialects.
Walking on the beach you’ll see families enjoying the water, & expect invitations “Hey Joe Shot”. This is a way of saying hello foreigner come over & share a drink with us.
The respect I get from people is nice – you might be in a café or a supermarket & cashiers or security will say “hello sir”, or “thank you po.”
If you’re looking for a fresh start or want to make new friends & experience an awesome culture & cuisine, then visit the Philippines.
9. Community Of Expats
There’s a community of expats here, making it easy to connect with like-minded people, especially in Cebu, Davao, & Siargao.
I’m living in Tagum City, 50 kms from the capital city of Davao. It has the largest highway overpass in Mindanao, 4 malls & is very livable.
I am 20 mins drive to beaches in the bay of Davao that overlook Samal island & beautiful sunsets.
Living in Davao city is another option if you like condos & meet-ups. Learn more in the expat guide Philippines.
“I have met a few Australians who own surf resorts on Siargao Island & in Mati.”
There’s a small number of foreigners in Tagum & I would like to see more as the city is peaceful.
I have neighbours from Brisbane, Germany & Canada in my subdivision.
Accommodation in Tagum is good, there’s boarding houses, Airbnb rentals, & local rentals. You can get a room from P4-6K/mth, a unit from P10-15K/mth or a house from P15-20K/mth.
Cebu & Siargao have more foreigners who are retirees, surfers & divers, & it’s easy to connect with foreigners if you have Messenger.
On Siargao there’s a mix of nationalities – Americans, Australians, Brazilians, & Europeans – anyone who likes surfing, diving & Island time.
An Aussie expat owns Fat Lips Surf Shop on Siargao, & in 2023 he opened Fat Lips Surf Lodge in Catagnan. If you need a place or help with boards or breaks, message Tim.
An Aussie owns Ocean 101 Beach Resort on Siargao, near Jacking Horse, Quicksilver & Cloud 9. I stayed there & loved it – waterfront rooms, restaurant, & boat to surfing.
In Mati an Aussie expat owns an oceanfront place called Sheepy’s Surfside Beach Resort, western quality, with ocean-view pool, & highly rated.
10. Many Cultural Experiences
There is an abundance of cultural experiences here & you can find events easily. Every city & small towns all have annual fiesta celebrations & local native tribes.
“The kinds of activities you will see in the Philippines include waterfall, mountain & volcano climbing, surfing, diving & snorkelling.”
Cebu has an annual Sinulog Festival in January over nine days, where thousands of people attend a mass & converge on the Streets for a parade, along with Street parties, live bands & fireworks.
I enjoyed the Mawab Festival in 2024 – a small town in the mountains filled with festival lights, market & food stalls for a week of celebrations, that included “Miss Mawab” talent quest, native culture shows & concerts.
Tagum City Hall has an amazing Christmas Lights & Garden Festival each year for a month in Dec. A giant 60 mtr. LED Christmas Tree is featured, festival Streets, plant/food stalls & concerts.
I visited a local rice harvest in a nearby town & watched the harvest machinery scooping up & bagging rice seed. Then strong Filipinos carrying 60kg rice sacks on their heads.
The Siargao Int. Surfing Cup (QS 5000) is a must see event. It has a big opening ceremony, featuring cultural performances from the Barangays. I watched surfing from a reef tower.
I enjoyed a fiesta in the port town of Dapa on Siargao a few years ago, & was impressed with the happy vibes, cultural costumes, & parade.
I visited a Surfing Contest in Mati in 2022. It was a local-style comp with surfers from all over Mindanao, that finished with a DJ foam party.
11. Dental & Medicines
In the Philippines & Thailand you should have no problems fixing dental with some research.
Expats in Asia with dental problems can usually find a good dentist to repair fillings, & do root canals or crowns.
If you get a travel flu or stomach bug it’s easy to get amoxicillin, Bioflu, or loperamide at the local pharmacy or sari store.
I had a good experience at the Yanhee Int. Dental Hospital in Bangkok a few years ago. The experience was fast, professional & affordable.
I had an Aussie friend who flew to Manila to get all of his teeth crowned for about 1/3 of the price in AU, then he enjoyed a surfing holiday on Siargao.
If you want dental cover while you’re in Asia, World Nomads travel insurance has AU $2000 allowance for emergency dental, a lot in Asia.
But if you have no cover don’t worry, as the cost is affordable. Root canals cost P12,000 (AU $324), a 1/4 of AU price.
I use a dentist trained from a family of dentists. He filled a nagging molar for P1000 (AU $27).
Just be careful selecting a dentist & get a referral from a friend. Two of my 3 dentists were good.
Also take cash for payment (cards not accepted) to settle the bill.
12. Remote Teams
The Philippines is a global outsourcing giant with a skilled English-speaking workforce.
You may have noticed many Australian companies like Telstra & TPG/Vodafone have call centers in the Philippines.
The talent hubs are located in Manila (Makati, BGC) known for specialists in telco support, web dev & design, Cebu known for telco/customer support & sales, & Davao know for VAs.
For Internet entrepreneurs, it’s more efficient to build a remote team here of sales agents, virtual assistants & web developers, for the price of one Australian employee.
The salaries are more affordable compared to Western rates, with sales/support/VA’s earning P20,000-40,000/mo, & video editors/web developers earning P40,000-80,000/mo.
The workers are tech-savvy on communication tools like Messenger, Telegram & Slack, project management tools like Trello, Asana & Clickup, & file sharing on Gdrive, Dropbox & OneDrive.
GCash is a universal digital payment system used by most young people & it connects with Philippine banks like BDO, BPI, & Union Bank.
Transferring to the Philippines from AU banks can be done with Western Union or Wise accounts.
Become An Internet Entrepreneur In Asia
There are so many good reasons move to the Philippines & become an Internet entrepreneur.
You only get one life so why waste it working in a bad job in an expensive country?
If you’re lifestyle focussed or an adventure/nature seeker you will find the opportunities for work life balance are real.
One way to start is by building a side hustle Internet business with my Website Launch Kits.
Request my High-Performance Website Checklist to learn more & get access to exclusive specials.
In a 20-min drive I’m at the beach & snorkelling overlooking Samal island sunsets. You can too!
With friendly people, beautiful islands, beaches, & waterfalls, what more do you need?
And the exchange rates; AUD $1 (P40+), USD $1 (P60+) provide real value for money.
Let me know if you’re interested in becoming an Internet entrepreneur in Asia in the comments.
