Yes, South Africans need a visa for Australia. South Africa is not on the passport lists for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) or the eVisitor (subclass 651), so most visitors apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600). Work, study and migration use other subclasses, each with its own criteria.
Australian visas are digital. The grant is linked to your passport and you do not get a label in it.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
Australia organises visas into numbered subclasses, and the one you need depends on why you are going. For a visit (tourism, business or family) it is subclass 600, granted for 3, 6 or 12 months. To be eligible you must:
- be a genuine visitor, meaning you intend to stay temporarily and obey your visa conditions and stay period
- have enough funds to support your stay and to leave Australia
- meet the health and character requirements
- repay any debt you owe the Australian government
- be outside Australia when you apply and when the application is decided (for the apply-overseas streams)
If you are going to work, the main routes are the employer-sponsored Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the points-tested Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). The Visitor visa never allows work. For visit detail see our guides to the tourist visa and work visa for Australia.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
You need a valid passport or other travel document. If you plan to renew your passport, do it before you apply. Home Affairs asks for the passport pages showing your photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates, plus your national ID card if you have one.
Because the visa is linked digitally to your passport, check with Home Affairs what to do if you renew your passport after a visa is granted. The Tourist stream page explains how the link works.
Work and Holiday visas need a passport from an eligible country. South Africa does not appear in the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) partner-country table with application caps, so check the working holiday pages before planning on one.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
For a Visitor visa, give as much proof as you can that you are visiting temporarily. Typical evidence includes:
- your passport and identity documents
- itemised personal bank statements for a 3-month period, pay slips, tax records or other proof of funds
- a letter from your employer saying you will return to your job, or proof of study, immediate family or major assets at home
- an invitation letter from a relative or friend if you are visiting them, and proof of their funds if they are paying for your stay
- a police certificate or military service record if Home Affairs asks for one
- for applicants under 18: a birth certificate showing both parents, plus consent (Form 1229 or a statutory declaration) from any person with a legal right to decide where the child lives who is not travelling
Documents not in English must be translated into English, and scans should be in colour.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
Fees. For applications from 1 July 2026, the base charge for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) is A$250 for most passport holders applying from outside Australia (A$630 if you apply while in Australia). The regulation sets the Skills in Demand (482) base charge at A$4,015 and the Skilled Independent (189) base charge at A$6,135, with additional charges per extra applicant. Health checks, police certificates and biometrics may cost extra. Use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for the live price, and ask Home Affairs whether a charge is refundable if you are refused before you pay.
Health. Health and character requirements apply to every visitor application. Health insurance is strongly recommended, and in some cases the visa carries a condition that you maintain adequate health insurance. You are liable for all healthcare costs in Australia.
Length of stay. A stay is generally 3 months, and up to 12 months in certain circumstances. A Visitor visa cannot be extended; you must apply for a new one.
How to Prepare or Apply
Apply online. Log in or create an ImmiAccount, complete the application for the correct subclass, attach your documents and pay the fee. Home Affairs will not process your application until the fee is paid, and each family member applies separately. You can do health examinations before you apply or wait until Home Affairs asks for them.
For business trips, the Business Visitor stream covers meetings, negotiating or reviewing contracts, conferences and trade fairs. You cannot work for or provide services to an Australian business, or sell directly to the public. It is applied for from outside Australia, and a stay is generally 3 months, up to 12 in certain circumstances.
For skilled migration, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is points-tested and you can only apply if invited after submitting an expression of interest in SkillSelect. Our Australia work visa guide covers the detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Australia need a visa for South Africans?
Yes. South Africa is not on the ETA or eVisitor lists, so a South African passport holder applies for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) or another visa that fits the purpose of the trip.
Can I use an ETA or eVisitor from South Africa?
No. Both are limited to passports from the countries Home Affairs lists, and South Africa is not one of them.
How do I apply for an Australian visa from South Africa?
Apply online through ImmiAccount. Attach your documents and pay the application fee. The application is not processed until the fee is paid.
Is there a business visa for Australia?
Business visits use the Business Visitor stream of the Visitor visa (600). It allows meetings, contract negotiations, conferences and trade fairs, but not work for an Australian business or direct sales to the public.
Can I get a 12-month visa for Australia?
A Visitor visa can be granted for up to 12 months in certain circumstances, but 3 months is generally granted. Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents may get a visa valid for longer, with no more than 12 months in total in any 18-month period.
Can I work on a Visitor visa?
No. The Visitor visa does not allow work. Study or training is limited to 3 months on the Tourist stream.
Confirm the current rules, fees and forms with the Australian Department of Home Affairs before you apply. See our guide to visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.