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SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

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SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

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‘Set them up for life’: The other tax-free loophole that will attract stars to PNG​

Adrian Proszenko

Adrian Proszenko
March 22, 2026 — 6:30am


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Papua New Guinea has just become an even more financially attractive destination for prospective NRL players following revelations that third-party earnings will be tax-free.
The Chiefs will enter the player market on November 1 ahead of their entry to the NRL competition in 2028. As an incentive for players and officials to sign, the governments Australia and PNG have brokered a deal that will allow all earnings to remain untaxed.
South Sydney star Alex Johnston would be a marketer’s dream if he signs with PNG.

South Sydney star Alex Johnston would be a marketer’s dream if he signs with PNG.NRL PHOTOS
Now there is an even bigger sweetener to shift to the Pacific nation, with third-party agreements (TPAs) also falling under the tax-free status, according to Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V’landys. These deals won’t be included in the salary cap.
“Any revenue they earn in PNG is tax-free,” V’landys said. “It’s like you’re doing a tax return in PNG, it’s all tax-free.

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“Playing in PNG will set them up for life. We used to have the Brisbane Broncos as a one-city team. This is a one-country team, where people are fanatical about rugby league.
“Can you imagine 10 million people following one team? It’s a monopoly because it’s the only sport that’s played there. People don’t realise how big PNG is going to be.”
Justin Olam is an example of the third-party opportunities that exist in PNG. The former Storm and Tigers star had more than half a dozen personal sponsors – including ExxonMobil, Samsung, Ok Tedi Mining, Nasfund superannuation and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority. All up, the former Storm centre earned in excess of $300,000 per annum in his pomp.
PNG’s biggest firms will be clamouring to become a commercial partner of the new franchise, with those who miss out likely to turn their attention to individual player sponsorships opportunities.
“There’s a definite opportunity there because of the public interest in rugby league and the corporate support there,” said Olam’s manager, David Rawlings.

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“In particular, there would be lots of local businesses that would like to have some affiliation with the players. Everything in PNG is about having access to rugby league players.”
After breaking Ken Irvine’s 53-year-old try-scoring record, South Sydney winger Alex Johnston has expressed an interest in finishing his career in PNG. Given his profile and achievements, he would be a marketing dream for businesses.
PNG could potentially offer a marquee player $1.5 million per season. If he could earn an additional $400,000 in PNG sponsorships, it would be the equivalent of a $3.5 million per annum salary in Australia once the tax benefits are factored in.
While some pundits remain sceptical about whether PNG’s inclusion in the competition will be a success, V’landys has no doubt it will benefit the nation on and off the field. The Australian federal government will invest $600 million over 10 years to support rugby league in PNG.
“There’s still a lot of haters knocking PNG, but they have no vision,” V’landys said. “There are 10 million people fascinated by one sport, the whole country is going to follow it. It’s going to be unbelievable.”

www.smh.com.au

NRL 2026: Third-party agreements [TPAs] in PNG will be deemed tax-free in further incentive for stars to sign

PNG-based businesses will be clamouring to sponsor the team’s star players, who won’t have to pay a single cent in tax on those earnings either.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
 
mikail-eagle

mikail-eagle

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SirPies&Beers said:

‘Set them up for life’: The other tax-free loophole that will attract stars to PNG​

Adrian Proszenko

Adrian Proszenko
March 22, 2026 — 6:30am



“Playing in PNG will set them up for life. We used to have the Brisbane Broncos as a one-city team. This is a one-country team, where people are fanatical about rugby league.
“Can you imagine 10 million people following one team? It’s a monopoly because it’s the only sport that’s played there. People don’t realise how big PNG is going to be.”
Justin Olam is an example of the third-party opportunities that exist in PNG. The former Storm and Tigers star had more than half a dozen personal sponsors – including ExxonMobil, Samsung, Ok Tedi Mining, Nasfund superannuation and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority. All up, the former Storm centre earned in excess of $300,000 per annum in his pomp.
PNG’s biggest firms will be clamouring to become a commercial partner of the new franchise, with those who miss out likely to turn their attention to individual player sponsorships opportunities.
“There’s a definite opportunity there because of the public interest in rugby league and the corporate support there,” said Olam’s manager, David Rawlings.

www.smh.com.au

NRL 2026: Third-party agreements [TPAs] in PNG will be deemed tax-free in further incentive for stars to sign

PNG-based businesses will be clamouring to sponsor the team’s star players, who won’t have to pay a single cent in tax on those earnings either.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
Click to expand...

Justin Olam is still the face of ExxonMobil 1 year after his retirement.
David Mead was the same for the Bank of South Pacific after he retired from the Broncos.
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

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i get and fully endorse the whole salary cap governments initiative tax free incentives but not sure about the third parties being tax free. i think that starts being an unfair advantage. mainly for a short hit & run 2 year deal.
 
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Trifili13

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SirPies&Beers said:
i get and fully endorse the whole salary cap governments initiative tax free incentives but not sure about the third parties being tax free. i think that starts being an unfair advantage. mainly for a short hit & run 2 year deal.
Click to expand...
They are both unfair and skews the salary cap. Gives PNG arguably 30 to 40% more salary cap with players not paying tax. And that's before TPA's.
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

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Wb1234 said:
God forbid the nrl supports an expansion side
Click to expand...
They negotiated $600m which approx $300m goes to PNG.
Negotiated tax free incentives from the salary cap from Aus Gov for Aus citizens and others via PNG gov.

Thats great support. Third parties being tax free though, i dunno.
Im a massive chiefs fans but there's a point where you gotta ask whats too much? ya know

for longer contracts like 4-5 years i almost think play on. but these third parties for 2 year contracts will really shake the market up i think.
 
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Wb1234

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SirPies&Beers said:
They negotiated $600m which approx $300m goes to PNG.
Negotiated tax free incentives from the salary cap from Aus Gov for Aus citizens and others via PNG gov.

Thats great support. Third parties being tax free though, i dunno.
Im a massive chiefs fans but there's a point where you gotta ask whats too much? ya know

for longer contracts like 4-5 years i almost think play on. but these third parties for 2 year contracts will really shake the market up i think.
Click to expand...
There’s also another 200 million loaned/grant from the Australian govt to png govt to build coe and upgrade stadium.

Imagine they sign Cleary or Walsh what that publicity is worth for our sport

Afl house was paying Israel folau an ambassador fee of 1.5 million pa on top of his giants salary

And fyi I prefer the team to be full of locals as soon as they can
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

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Wb1234 said:
There’s also another 200 million loaned/grant from the Australian govt to png govt to build coe and upgrade stadium.

Imagine they sign Cleary or Walsh what that publicity is worth for our sport

Afl house was paying Israel folau an ambassador fee of 1.5 million pa on top of his giants salary

And fyi I prefer the team to be full of locals as soon as they can
Click to expand...
bit of a difference youre overlooking here.
Folau was used to try sell the game to western sydney market.

the game doesnt need to be sold to the papuan market, its their national sport.
whilst i understand 90% of players with families will still choose comfort in localities like brisbane, sydney etc where they will have their family/friends networks.

the financial incentive for 2 year leg ups is quite significant and thats my main gripe is those shorter term contracts. if players commit to 3-4+ years then bloody oath, good luck to them and they deserve it if they are gonna live where they're gonna live.

i just think this TPA tax free incentive on top of the other sweeteners for short term contracts will really skew the player market. id almost prefer this only be applicable to contracts for 3 years or more. once chiefs are in we will see less long term contracts because there wont be another expansion side provoking the market for a few years after it.

in sort im all good with third parties being tax free for long term contracts, but against them for shorter term contracts.
 
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