Australia entry requirements for travellers from South Africa
Do South African citizens need a visa for Australia?
Yes. South African passport holders must hold a visa before travelling. South Africa is not on the Electronic Travel Authority list and is not covered by the eVisitor, so visits are made on a Visitor visa (subclass 600), tourist stream.
South Africa has one of the largest expatriate communities in Australia, and a great deal of this travel is to visit family. Applications that document the family connection and the applicant’s ties at home tend to fare better.
How long can you stay in Australia?
The tourist stream can be granted for three, six or twelve months. The department decides the period. Three months is the usual grant for a first application, with longer periods more likely for applicants with a strong travel history.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Australia does not require six months of validity beyond your departure date, though airlines and any transit country will often apply their own rule. Tell the department if you renew your passport after the visa is granted.
Travellers taking children out of South Africa should also check the South African documentary requirements for minors before departure, as those apply on exit regardless of Australian rules.
Proof of funds
You must show that you can support yourself for the visit and pay for your return travel. There is no published minimum. Bank statements over three to six months, salary evidence, business ownership documents and property records all help.
Onward or return travel
A confirmed return ticket is not required to apply, though your application should make your intended dates and reasons for returning clear.
Applying for your Australian visa
Apply online through ImmiAccount from outside Australia. The tourist stream costs from AUD250.
Prepare your passport biodata page, a photograph, evidence of funds, proof of employment or business ownership, your itinerary, and details of anyone you are visiting in Australia.
Biometrics at an Australian Biometric Collection Centre may be required. Book the appointment as soon as you are asked.
Health requirements
A health examination may be requested, particularly for stays over six months, for anyone who will spend time in healthcare settings or working with children, and where tuberculosis screening is indicated.
A yellow fever certificate is required if you have been in a declared yellow fever risk country in the six days before arrival, which can catch travellers connecting through other parts of Africa.
Other entry requirements
Complete the Incoming Passenger Card on the flight. Australian biosecurity is strict, and items most often seized from travellers arriving from South Africa include biltong and other dried meat, seeds, fresh fruit, wooden carvings and animal products such as skins or feathers. Declare all of it, and be aware that some wildlife products are also controlled under separate rules.
Cash of AUD10,000 or more, or the rand equivalent, must be declared.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring biltong into Australia?
Assume not. Dried and cured meat is generally prohibited and is one of the most common seizures from South African travellers. Declare it and let the officer decide rather than risking a fine.
How long does the visitor visa take?
It varies with demand. The department publishes an indicative guide, so apply two to three months before travel.
Can I work on a visitor visa?
No. Work is not permitted on any visitor stream. Business visitor activities such as meetings and conferences are allowed.
Is there a ten year visa for South Africans?
No. The frequent traveller stream is limited to specified countries and South Africa is not one of them.
Do children need their own visa?
Yes, including infants. Check South Africa’s own rules on documents for children travelling as well.
What causes most refusals?
Weak evidence of funds and of ties at home, particularly where close family already live in Australia. Address both directly.