Australia

The Australian High Commission

292 Orient Street, (Cnr. Schoeman Street), Arcadia, Pretoria 0083
Telephone: 012 423 6000
Email: consular.pretoria@dfat.gov.au
Website: southafrican.embassy.gov.au

The Australian High Commission does not deal with visa, citizenship, or customs enquiries

2026:

January: 1, 26
April: 3, 6, 25
December: 25, 26

Each state / territory may have additional holidays

Visas are required by SA passport holders

• A transit visa is required if staying longer than 8 hour
• All persons, other than Australian citizens require a visa or authority to enter Australia
• You will need a visa if you enter Australia during a cruise

How to Apply

• Visas must be applied for online via ImmiAccount
• Biometrics must be submitted via TLSContact (for each application, regardless of whether you have submitted biometrics before)
• Each family member must have an individual application

You will need to make an account on ImmiAccount. During your application, you will be required to upload supporting documents and a photograph, as indicated. Identity documents can be up to 500KB each. Other documents can be up to 5MB each. Encrypted PDF documents are not accepted. Photos of documents are accepted if the photos are clear. Make sure the photo shows all the document information. If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file

After your application, you can use your ImmiAccount to check if additional information or actions are required, as well as check your application status

Visitor Visa

• A certified copy of the identity page (showing photo and personal details) of a valid passport and other pages which provide evidence of travel to any other countries - Note: your passport must have at least six months left before the expiry date.
• A recent passport photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself
• Evidence of payment of the Visa Application Charge
• Evidence that you have sufficient funds for your intended stay (recent personal bank statements, pay slips, audited accounts, taxation records or credit card limit)
• If you are visiting relatives or friends, a letter of invitation from your relative or friend in Australia.
• If your relative or friend is paying for your visit, evidence that they have the necessary funds
• If you are not staying at a friend/relative’s house, a hotel reservation is required
• Your itinerary for your stay in Australia
• Evidence of your medical/travel insurance (if requested)
• Medical examination or tests (if requested)
• Proof that you have reason to return to South Africa (letter of employment, letter of enrolment, proof of family members in home country, proof that you can return home, major assets)
• If you have nominated someone to apply on your behalf, you must submit a notification via your ImmiAccount
• If you are requesting a visa for longer than 3 months, submit reasons (for example, visiting family members)

Minors

• If you are under the age of 18, you should provide a copy of your birth certificate showing the names of both parents (or alternative document in lieu thereof, eg adoption papers or court-issued documents)
• Consent form (to be completed by guardians / parents)
• Undertaking declaration (if not staying with a relative or legal guardian during your visit)

Biometrics

After completing your application, you may recieve a Biometrics Requirement Letter. Once this letter is received, you will need to book an appointment with VFS to submit your biometrics

Website: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/aus
Hours: Monday - Friday, 09:00 to 16:00

PTA: 1st Floor, Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Pretoria
PE: 02 Greyville Road, 3rd floor Greyville House, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha
JNB: 1st Floor, Rivonia Village, Cnr Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road, Rivonia, Johannesburg
CPT: 7th Floor, 2 Long Street, Cape Town
DBN: Medstone Medical Centre, 19 The High Street, Umhlanga Ridge, Durban North

Health Requirements

You will be advised via your Immiaccount if you need to undergo a health assessment. When you complete your medical history you will be given a referral letter containing an identifier we call a HAP ID. You need the HAP ID to arrange your health examinations

In general, the following applicants will need to provide some form of medical examination:

• Applicants who are pregnant
• Applicants over 75 years of age
• Applicants wishing to remain for more than 6 months

Usually 30 days (Please refer to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times for current processing times)

The Australian High Commission recommends clients lodge their visa application well ahead of their proposed travel dates and only finalise any travel arrangements after the visa process has been completed

Generally 3 months. Up to 12 months depending on circumstances

Tourist Visa: AUD 250
Biometric Collection: ZAR 647

Compulsory:

Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)

Recommended Travel Vaccines:

• Hepatitis B
• Tetanus
• Polio

South African High Commission

Rhodes Place, State Circle, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Telephone: +61 2 6272 7300
Email: consular.canberra@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco.gov.za/canberra/