Moving to Australia From South Africa

If you are considering making the move from South Africa to Australia, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Australia Facts:

Population: 25.7 million (2022 estimate)
Official Language: English (de facto) spoken by the majority of the population
GDP Per Capita: $55,000 USD (2022 estimate)
Random Fact: Australia is renowned for its sporting prowess, especially in cricket, rugby and soccer
Currency: AUD Dollar (AUD $). As of early 2024, £1 = $1.92 AUD, €1 = $1.65 AUD, $1 CAD = $1.12 AUD, $1 = $1.51 AUD

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Australia from South Africa

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from Durban to a range of ports in Australia:

Destination Port	20FT	40FT
Adelaide	$3,800 - $4,400	$6,200 - $7,000
Brisbane	$3,900 - $4,500	$6,300 - $7,100
Darwin	$4,200 - $4,900	$6,700 - $7,600
Melbourne	$3,700 - $4,300	$6,100 - $6,900
Sydney	$3,800 - $4,400	$6,200 - $7,000

All figures are in Australian dollars;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (June 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move To Australia from South Africa?

Let’s take a look at both the cost and the time it takes to travel from South Africa to Australia considering a range of locations in both countries.

Cape Town to Sydney – 20 hours, 30 minutes, 17,200 ZAR
Cape Town to Melbourne – 19 hours, 15 minutes, 17,200 ZAR
Cape Town to Adelaide – 21 hours, 20 minutes, 17,240 ZAR
Cape Town to Brisbane – 22 hours, 25 minutes, 17,820 ZAR
Johannesburg to Sydney – 16 hours, 55 minutes, 15,820 ZAR
Johannesburg to Melbourne – 15 hours, 40 minutes, 15,820 ZAR
Johannesburg to Adelaide – 17 hours, 45 minutes, 15,860 ZAR
Johannesburg to Brisbane – 18 hours, 50 minutes, 15,900 ZAR

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Australia from South Africa

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

When moving to Australia, there can be several entry requirements depending on the visa type you choose. Skilled Migration visas operate on a points basis which determines if you are granted access, while other visas such as family or partner have different guidelines – you can see these on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

There will be a quarantine of goods as Australia has strict rules to prevent introducing diseases or pests that could harm plant, animal or human health. To comply with this, you will need to fill in an Incoming Passenger Card declare any ‘risk’ goods, and dispose of any deemed unsuitable before boarding your flight – full information on permitted goods can be found at the Department of Agriculture’s website.

There are currently no COVID-19 test restrictions, although the Australian government’s website will hold the most up-to-date information on this if this changes. This can include any quarantine periods if necessary at the time of travel.

4. Visa Requirements to Australia from South Africa

Depending on the length and the purpose of your visit or stay, the visa you will need to gain entry to Australia from South Africa will vary. Alongside a valid passport with at least one blank page, you will need one of the following visas:

Skilled visa – these are suitable for individuals who fit Australia’s current employment criteria in areas where they lack workers
Work visa – these are suitable for individuals with an Australian employer as their visa sponsor, or those who have been ‘nominated’ by the state to enter and work in Australia
Student visa – these are suitable for students wishing to start or continue their education as part of an Australian educational institution
Visitor visa – these are suitable for individuals wishing to visit Australia temporarily, including the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
Family visa – these are suitable for individuals with family members already living in Australia who can act as your visa sponsor

The eVisitor visa allows you to visit friends and family, take part on a cruise or have a holiday, and undertake business visitor activities (this can include visiting conferences or attending interviews to scope out employment, but you cannot earn an income in Australia on this visa), and it can allow you to study or train for up to 3 months.

The ETA visa is similar, but no studying or training can take place during your stay. You must also apply outside Australia to get this visa, have an eligible passport and use the Australian ETA app.

The working holiday visa is fairly self-explanatory – it allows you to work in Australia and can grant you residence for longer than a typical tourist visa while you earn money through short-term employment contracts.

There are several other visas available – especially for those joining family in Australia – which can be accessed on the Department of Home Affairs website. For all other visas, take a look at your visa options here.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Australia

While this article is covering Australia as a whole, house prices will vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price – we have focused on Melbourne for this example.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in Cape Town is 105.7% lower than that of Melbourne, with rent being around 151.6% lower, with local purchasing power being 16.4% higher in Melbourne when compared to Cape Town.

Monthly Rental Prices in Melbourne, Australia:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: A$2,400+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: A$1,900+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: A$4,800+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: A$3,000+

Melbourne, Australia Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: A$13,300+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: A$11,300+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Australia

There is a tax treaty in place between South Africa and Australia to prevent the double taxation of income. This will apply to funds in the form of:

Income
Interest
Dividends
Capital gains
Royalties

At the time of writing, Australia’s tax rates are as follows:

A$18,200 – tax free
A$18,201 to A$45,000 – 19% per dollar over A$18,200
A$45,001 to A$120,000 – 32.5% per dollar over A$45,000
A$120,001 to A$180,000 – 37% per dollar over A$120,000
A$180,000+ – 45% per dollar over A$180,000

Citizens will also be required to pay a 2% Medicare Levy.

Specific details will differ depending on your income and residence status, and these terms can be subject to change, so it’s best to enlist the help of a tax specialist in both South Africa and Australia to ensure you’re working to the best practices – and not over- or under-paying your tax.

7. Working Rules in Australia

For individuals set on earning an income in Australia, you will need a tax file number (TFN) to ensure that you don’t end up paying more tax than is necessary on your income. You can see how to apply for this number on the Australian Taxation Office’s website.

As with our previous section on taxes in general, it’s important to ensure you are clued up on your taxation requirements to make sure you pay what you owe to avoid any penalties. Paying taxes in Australia helps to fund healthcare, education, defence and disaster relief in the country.

You will also need permission to work in Australia if you are a foreign resident. You may also need an Australian business number (ABN), but only if you are running your own business, along with a few other requirements which can be found here.

You may already have an employment sponsor to help you gain your working visa, or you may be applying for this individually. Working visa options are outlined here with all their necessary guidelines and requirements.

The minimum wage is currently set at A$20.33 per hour, and the standard working week is deemed 38 hours. Most Australian employers will be required to pay towards superannuation funds – retirement accounts – which are set at 10% as a minimum, based on an employee’s earnings.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in Australia

Australia’s healthcare is covered by Medicare, which is their public health system. There are private health options as well, which can be used if you need expedited help, or more specialized treatments that aren’t offered by the public service.

If you become an Australian citizen, you can benefit from Medicare treatment which will permit you access to medical services, hospital care and treatments. This will be subsidised, or free, depending on your status.

For those travelling, or classed as ‘temporary residents’, you can also enrol in Medicare when in Australia which will help to pay for some or all of the necessary healthcare costs. However, this will vary depending on the type of visa you hold. This won’t cover ambulance services, dental services, eye tests or cosmetic surgery.

You can of course have private health insurance which will have different restrictions – take a look at the Services Australia website for the most recent information.

If you must bring your own medication into Australia, you’ll need to check that it is legal in Australia before travelling, which can be done at the Department of Agriculture’s website.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Australia

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Australia with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

There are strict rules in place for the movement of pets between South Africa and Australia. Firstly, you will need to ensure you have a valid import permit from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, which must be collected well in advance of your travels to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your pet.

Pets must be microchipped, and both dogs and cats need to show proof of vaccination against rabies, at least 21 days before entry to Australia. Alongside this, blood tests are needed to confirm this status, which is known as the RNATT – rabies neutralizing antibody titration test.

Parasite treatments may also be required for dogs and cats, and a health certificate to show the status of your pet and their validity for safe travels from a qualified veterinarian. Dogs will also need tapeworm treatment before entry.

Your pet will then need to undergo a quarantine period in Sydney or Melbourne for at least 10 days upon arrival. You must arrange your pet’s travel through a trusted airline or pet relocation service to ensure everything is taken care of, enabling a smooth transition for both you and your pet.

10. Similar Cities

Due to the vastness of Australia, drawing comparisons in blanket terms can be hard – so let’s narrow things down to one or two specific locations. While the climate can vary depending on your exact location in Australia, there are some similarities with the diverse nature of the climate seen in South Africa.

A typically Mediterranean climate is found in both countries, with hot and dry summer periods and wet winters. For arid conditions, the Australian Outback can be compared with South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. However, South Africa has more elevation than Australia, giving way to cooler temperatures in these areas, while Australia has tropical northern climates that can’t be matched in South Africa.

Generally, the cost of living is higher in Australia, with consumer prices being 93.9% higher in Melbourne when compared to Johannesburg, with rent being over 300% higher.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Australia from South Africa

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from South Africa to Australia, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Pros of Moving to Australia from South Africa	Cons of Moving to Australia from South Africa
1. Economic Opportunities: Plenty of employment opportunities to take advantage of, especially if you are a worker on a skilled visa	1. Cost of Living: It is more expensive to live in Australia, with certain expenses, such as housing and healthcare, being considerably higher than in South Africa
2. Quality of Life: Australia has a robust healthcare system, as well as educational institutions and is known for being generally a safe place to live	2. Housing Crisis: It can be hard to find suitable accommodation in Australia due to increased demand
3. Natural Environment: Stunning natural landscapes, beaches, and outdoor recreational opportunities	3. Weather: Australia can experience extreme weather events, which may require some adjusting to

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to speak to The Australian High Commission – South Africa for all the information you need.