travelling from south africa to australia

Australia has eased its entry requirements. Image via Unsplash

Australia eases entry restrictions: Everything you need to know

South Africans wishing to travel to Australia will be pleased to know that the country’s entry restrictions have been eased.

Australia has been off the radar for nationals from numerous countries due to its lengthy border closure. It was lifted in December last year when New South Wales started to allow certain types of visitors to enter its territory.

This enabled select individuals from South Africa to travel to the Land Down Under, to reunite with family members, take up studies or commence employment. These individuals had to be fully vaccinated and provide evidence of having tested negative for COVID-19.

ALSO READ: And just like that: Qantas Airlines returns to SA skies

AUSTRALIA: RAPID TESTS ACCEPTED

Australia now has new border restrictions. This means that fully vaccinated foreign travellers can travel to the reopened parts of the country with negative COVID-19 antigen test result certificates. Previously, the norm was a PCR test certificate requirement.

“While PCR tests remain the gold standard test, a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours is an acceptable indicator of whether a traveller has COVID-19 before flying to Australia,” a statement read.

QUARANTINE SHORTENED

Travellers arriving in the country who have tested positive, are still required to quarantine. The mandatory quarantine times for travellers entering the country, who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 have now been reduced.

Travellers who have contracted COVID-19 will be able to enter Australia after just seven days of testing positive, instead of the previous 14 day requirement.

INTERSTATE ENTRY RESTRICTIONS

Entry restrictions for movements within Australia are not streamlined. The various states have differing requirements for travellers, which does not allow seamless movement across the country.

The Queensland government has reduced quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers from overseas countries. Since 22 January, fully vaccinated travellers have been able to fly directly into Queensland from overseas, without being automatically required to enter home or hotel quarantines.

However, these travellers will need to take a RAT within 24 hours of arrival. This restriction applies to travellers arriving in Brisbane, Cairns, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

PERTH STILL OFF LIMITS

A recent surge in infections – that has been linked to travellers – has caused the proposed 5 February reopening of Western Australia’s borders to be postponed indefinitely.

Western Australia’s Premier Mark McGowan announced on 21 January, that it would be “reckless and irresponsible” for the state to reopen as planned , in light of the presence of the Omicron strain.

“Unfortunately, the world changed in December. Omicron arrived. Omicron is a whole new ball game,” he said, per Travelnews .

This means that South Africans wanting to travel to Perth will not be able to do so in the foreseeable future.

Is jy Afrikaans? Kliek hier vir nuus in jou taal!

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South Africa

Latest update.

Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa due to the threat of violent crime.

South Africa (PDF 811.22 KB)

Africa (PDF 1.68 MB)

Local emergency contacts

National emergencies.

Call 10111.

Fire and rescue services

Call 10177.

Call 10111, or go to the nearest police station.

Advice levels

Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa.

Protests and large gatherings can occur anywhere in South Africa at any time. Avoid areas affected by protests and demonstrations. Use major roads where it's safe to do so and verify that alternate routes recommended by your GPS are safe prior to travel. Monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.
Crime and violence are serious issues across South Africa, including murder, rape, assault, food and drink spiking, robbery and carjacking. South Africa experiences more crime during its rolling blackouts (load-shedding). Be particularly alert in major city centres and township areas and when travelling after dark. Crimes in South Africa often involve the use of weapons.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide and can occur anywhere at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places and follow the advice of local authorities.
Opportunistic criminals also target travellers at the approaches to Kruger National Park, including Numbi Gate, and at the Lebombo/Komatipoort border. Criminals have also been targeting tourist vehicles at the approaches to Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City Resort.
Criminals target travellers and their bags at airports and on public transport. Vehicles parked or stopped at intersections are also targeted. Criminals have posed as fake tourist police to extort and rob tourists.
ATM and credit card fraud are common. Criminals wait near ATMs to rob people who have withdrawn cash. Be aware of your surroundings, and only withdraw small amounts. Keep your credit card with you at all times.
Respect local wildlife laws. Only use professional guides or tour operators. Follow park regulations and advice from wardens. Don't swim in lakes and rivers due to the risk of wildlife attacks and disease.

Full travel advice: Safety

HIV/AIDS infection rates are high in South Africa. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure.
Malaria and other insect-borne diseases, such as filariasis, are common. Make sure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
You must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're over one year old and travelling from a country where yellow fever is widespread.
Private hospitals are generally better equipped than public facilities. Medical evacuation is your only option in remote areas.

Full travel advice: Health

Drug offences carry severe penalties, including long jail terms.
Dual nationals must enter and exit South Africa on their South African passport. Penalties for travelling on another passport include fines, refusal of entry and jail.

Full travel advice: Local laws

You don't need a visa if you're visiting South Africa for tourism purposes for up to 90 days. In other cases, you'll need a visa. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of South Africa for the latest details.
If travelling from Namibia to South Africa, you'll need at least two blank pages in your passport.
Major routes can be subject to protest activities, often with little or no warning. Exercise caution and stay informed when planning travel and driving.
Before you travel by road, check for any disruption on your route. Use major roads where it's safe to do so and verify that alternate routes recommended by your GPS are safe. There have been instances of travellers being rerouted by their GPS through unsafe areas.
Rolling blackouts can affect both land and air travel. Confirm with your airline or travel provider.

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

The Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
The Australian High Commission in Pretoria can provide consular help to Australians in South Africa.
To stay up to date with local information, follow the High Commission’s social media accounts.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Civil unrest and political tension, demonstrations and protests.

Protests and large gatherings can occur anywhere in South Africa at any time. Services may be disrupted. Avoid areas affected by protests and demonstrations. Before you travel by road, check for any disruption on your route and use major roads where it's safe to do so. Verify that alternate routes recommended by your GPS are safe. There have been instances of travellers being rerouted by their GPS through unsafe areas. Follow the advice of local authorities. Monitor local news, radio, and social media for updates.

To protect yourself if you encounter a protest or local tension:

monitor local media and other sources for updates, including advice on curfews imposed by authorities
don't attempt to cross protester roadblocks, as this could provoke a violent reaction
plan for interruptions to phone and internet services
avoid areas affected by protests or unrest
contact your airline or tour operator to confirm arrangements before you travel
follow the instructions of local authorities.

If you're near a demonstration, leave if it's safe to do so.

There have been reports of protesters damaging property belonging to bystanders. Avoid taking photographs or video footage of demonstrations and protests.

More information:

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Crime and violence are serious issues in South Africa.

Crime rates in South Africa are significantly higher than in Australia and often involve weapons.

Criminals continue to target tourist vehicles along the approaches to Kruger National Park, including Numbi Gate. Avoid Numbi Gate if possible, only travel in daylight hours, stay on main roads, and be aware of potential criminals in the vicinity of all gates and park approaches.

Armed criminals have been targeting tourist buses along the approaches to Pilanesberg National Park and neighbouring Sun City Resort, including near Lekgalong. If you can, avoid the R556 and use alternative routes available on the N4/R565 via Rustenburg. Travel in daylight hours and be aware of potential criminals near all gates and park approaches and when travelling through small towns.

Police in South Africa deal with a high volume of aggravated crime. Their resources are stretched. You may not get the level of service you would in Australia, especially for less serious crimes such as theft and fraud.

The South African Police Service doesn't have a 'Tourist Police' force. Criminals have posed as 'Tourist Police' to extort and rob tourists, including stopping tourist buses to check proof of identity and search luggage.

Crime at airports

Crime in and around airports can occur.

Criminals have robbed arriving passengers, following them from the airport to:

foreign currency exchange facilities
tourist accommodation

Theft from luggage also occurs. To avoid this, don't place valuables in checked-in luggage.

Other crimes

Crime in South Africa includes:

food and drink spiking
mugging, robbery and theft, sometimes with weapons and violence

Robberies involving violence can occur at shopping centres. South Africa experiences more crime during its rolling blackouts (load-shedding), including at shopping centres. Be alert at all times.

Assaults and robberies on local commuter and metro trains happen:

between Johannesburg and Pretoria
in Cape Town

Theft from hotel rooms and guest houses does happen, including within game parks.

Criminals have stolen bags and backpacks from public places, including restaurants and bars. Be alert in all public spaces.

To avoid theft:

don't leave luggage and valuables unattended
place your luggage and valuables in safekeeping facilities

Crime rates are significantly higher after dark.

To protect yourself against crime, avoid travelling to:

central business districts
townships, unless with an organised tour run by a reputable company
isolated beaches, lookouts and picnic areas

There's a threat of kidnapping across South Africa. Kidnappings are generally for financial gain or motivated by criminality. Foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the past. Pay attention to your personal security.

Crime involving vehicles

There have been arson attacks on cargo trucks to block roads in South Africa. Check local media for reports of attacks and avoid these areas.

If you encounter an attack, don't intervene, don't take pictures or videos, and leave the scene as soon as it is safe to do so.

Thieves posing as vendors or beggars target cars:

on highways off-ramps
at intersections
at traffic lights

'Smash and grab' thefts from vehicles and carjacking are common, particularly:

on major routes
at major intersections
during traffic congestion

Cash-in-transit attacks target armoured courier vans, sometimes using automatic weapons, creating a significant risk of death or serious injury to anyone nearby. Avoid driving alongside, parking next to, or being a pedestrian next to cash drops at banks and other venues.

Criminals also place debris on roads to stop vehicles. Don't stop to clear debris.

Road spiking occurs on South African roads, where criminals place spikes on roads to damage vehicles and force motorists to pull over.

To prevent theft when travelling by car:

keep doors locked and windows up, even when driving
keep valuables out of sight
avoid driving after dark
maintain situational awareness and stop at designated areas such as petrol stations
if followed by a suspicious vehicle, go to a police station, petrol station or alert a security company

Attacks against hikers

There have been a number of attacks against hikers by criminals on hiking trails and in national parks and reserves. These have included Lions Head, Signal Hill and Table Mountain near Cape Town.

To prevent attacks when hiking:

hike in groups
advise friends, family or your accommodation provider where you are hiking and how long for
be alert to your surroundings and circumstances.

Crime involving cash and credit cards

ATMs in major cities are common. ATMs in rural areas are less common.

ATM and credit card fraud is common. Criminals use skimming devices to copy your card details onto a blank card.

Criminals wait near ATMs and rob people withdrawing cash.

Criminals use spotters to identify victims who have withdrawn cash or made expensive purchases. Be aware of your surroundings.

To protect yourself against cash and credit card crime:

only withdraw small amounts of cash at ATMs
refuse offers of help at ATMs
keep all ATM and credit card payment slips secure
keep your credit card in sight at all times when using it

Don't use ATMs that open onto the street. Only use ATMs in controlled areas, such as:

shopping centres
inside service stations

Scams are common.

Don't be fooled by scams. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

If you're a scam victim, don't travel to South Africa to try and get your money back. The risk of assault is too high.

Fake internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes operate from some African countries. These typically take place on internet dating sites or chat rooms.

Someone you meet online may ask you to send money so they can travel to Australia to visit you. As soon as the scammer receives the money, they end their relationship with you.

Some may ask you to travel to Africa to meet them. When you arrive in Africa, they may kidnap, assault or rob you.

Report fraud and scams to the Commercial Crimes Unit of the South African Police Service in Johannesburg on +27 (12) 743 0148 or +27 (11) 220 4052

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Power shortages and rolling blackouts (Load-shedding)

Rolling blackouts (load shedding) are occurring throughout South Africa, which are affecting private residences, businesses, municipal lighting, traffic lights, and hotels.

Blackouts can also affect water availability, internet connectivity, mobile phone network coverage, fuel availability, residential security features, and food supply.

Power outages can potentially increase crime; for example, traffic jams due to power outages provide opportunities for smash-and-grab crime. Residences can be targeted when lights are out, and security systems are not functioning. Ongoing conditions have led to increased protests and demonstrations, and in some cases, civil unrest, throughout the country.

Be prepared for issues that may arise from blackouts:

have a communications plan for when there is no or limited power (landline locations, external mobile phone battery/power banks, additional charging cords, hard copies of important numbers).
maintain several days’ worth of non-perishable food, drinking water, and other essential items, including medicine and first aid supplies.
store torches, batteries, radios and basic tools in quick-access locations.
identify safe areas around the city, including hotels, hospitals or police stations that may not lose power.
monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. An attack could happen anywhere and at any time.

Consider likely terrorist targets and the level of security provided, including places visited by foreigners, such as shopping centres.
Always be alert to possible threats, especially in public places.
Report any suspicious items or activities to the police.

In July 2020, ISIL (Daesh) issued a warning via its digital newspaper that its fighters would start attacking Western gas interests in Mozambique 'sooner or later' and also warned it could conduct attacks in South Africa because of South Africa's involvement in anti-ISIL operations in Mozambique.

In October 2022, there were reports of terrorists planning an attack in Sandton, Johannesburg.

To reduce your risks:

take official warnings seriously
monitor the media for threats

If there's a terrorist attack:

leave the affected area immediately if it's safe
avoid the area afterwards in case of more attacks.

Adventure activities

Wildlife safety.

Respect local wildlife laws. Maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife.

Only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators.

Follow park rules and the advice of wardens.

Swimming safety

Be cautious about swimming in lakes and rivers due to the risk of wildlife attacks or waterborne disease.

Climate and natural disasters

Flooding, landslides, bushfires, tsunamis, severe weather.

If a natural disaster happens:

follow the advice of local authorities
secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
keep in touch with your friends and family
ask your tour operator if tourist services at your destination have been affected.
Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away.

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

General health advice
Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you bring restricted medication or don't have the right documents, you could:

be arrested
have your medication confiscated

This includes countries where you don't leave the airport.

If you intend to bring medicine, check if:

there's a limit on how much you can take
whether you need any certifications

If your medication is illegal in South Africa, ask your doctor in Australia about alternatives.

Take enough legal medicine so you remain in good health on your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

what the medication is
your required dosage
that it's for personal use

Health risks

Yellow fever

If you're travelling from a country where yellow fever is widespread, you'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter South Africa. This doesn't apply to a child aged under 1 year.

If you can't show proof of vaccination, authorities may not let you enter.

You can't get vaccinated when you arrive.

The rate of HIV/AIDS infection in South Africa is very high.

Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.

Victims of violent crime, especially rape, should seek immediate medical help.

Insect-borne diseases

Malaria is present in parts of South Africa, especially:

remote areas in the far north
remote areas in the east
Kruger National Park

The 90km area along the border with Mozambique and Zimbabwe is a designated malaria risk zone. Some areas nearby may have a malaria risk during the year.

Other insect-borne diseases, including filariasis , are also prevalent.

To protect yourself from disease:

make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Take medicine to prevent malaria if travelling to an area where it's common.

Cholera mainly occurs in rural areas. More serious outbreaks can happen from time to time.

To protect yourself against cholera:

avoid ice cubes
avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
be strict with your hygiene habits if you travel in rural areas
drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids

Tap water in major cities is generally safe to drink.

Infectious diseases

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are prevalent.

Diseases include:

drug-resistant tuberculosis
Rift Valley virus
bilharzia (schistosomiasis)

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

avoid contact with animal tissues or blood when visiting farms or game reserves
only drink pasteurised or homogenised milk
don't eat raw meat
don't swim in freshwater
avoid contact with dogs and other mammals

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help immediately. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The standard of medical facilities in South Africa varies.

Public medical facilities are generally low standard compared with Australia. Private hospitals are often better equipped.

Many regional hospitals only provide basic facilities.

There's no shared healthcare agreement between Australia and South Africa.

Before admitting you, hospitals usually ask for:

confirmation of medical insurance
up-front deposit for services
public hospitals will treat foreigners for free, but the level of care varies.

In remote areas, air evacuation to a major city is sometimes the only option in an emergency. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

Decompression chambers are located at:

St Augustine's Hospital, Durban
Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg
Eugene Marais Hospital, Pretoria

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

If you're detained or arrested, you need to ask officials to tell the Australian High Commission in Pretoria.

Arrested or in prison

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison sentences.

Carrying or using drugs

Commercial surrogacy

Get legal help if you're visiting South Africa for commercial surrogacy.

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law

Dual citizenship

You can't enter or exit South Africa on an Australian passport if you're an Australian-South African dual national.

If you try, you may be:

turned away from border points
jailed for up to 12 months

If you're unsure if you will be treated as a South African dual national, check with:

the South African Department of Home Affairs
the nearest South African embassy or consulate.
Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.

Visa-free travel for short stays

You don't need a visa if you're visiting South Africa for tourism purposes for up to 90 days. In other cases, you'll need a visa.

Leaving and re-entering South Africa won't automatically give you another 90 days.

Check South Africa's immigration rules about:

overstaying visas
working in or migrating to South Africa
changing your visa status
extending your visa by travelling to a neighbouring country and attempting to return
South African Department of Home Affairs

Other formalities

South African dual nationals can’t enter or leave South Africa with a foreign passport. See Laws

South African authorities:

don't accept provisional travel documents
do accept Australian emergency passports

Travel with children

Children travelling on a valid passport with one or both parents are no longer required to present a birth certificate, parental consent letter and other supporting documentation. However, this is a requirement for other situations, such as unaccompanied minors travelling (under the age of 18) or legal guardianship.

To check the requirements for other situations, such as legal guardianship or unaccompanied travelling minors, visit the South African Department of Home Affairs.

If travelling from Namibia to South Africa, make sure you have at least two blank pages in your passport.

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Your passport must have at least 2 completely blank pages to endorse your entry permit on.

If your passport doesn't comply with these requirements, authorities may stop you from boarding.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Carry copies of a recent passport photo with you. You may need to replace your passport while you're overseas.

South African High Commission in Australia

Passport with 'X' gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

More information:

LGBTI travellers

There are limits to how much money you can bring into South Africa. Foreign nationals can enter with a maximum of either:

25,000 Rand (ZAR)
foreign currency equivalent to $US10,000

You may have to declare the amount of money you're carrying when you arrive or leave.

Local travel

Power Shortages and Rolling Blackouts (Load Shedding)

Rolling blackouts (load shedding) occur throughout South Africa, affecting traffic lights and causing road congestion and delays. It may also affect other modes of travel, such as air and rail travel. Check with your airline or travel provider.

Public transport

Avoid using minibus taxis. Ask your accommodation host or tour guide for advice about using public transport.

Book local transport through a reputable provider.

Transport and getting around safely

Taxis and rideshare services

Tensions between metered taxis and rideshare drivers can escalate to violence.

Be careful:

around train stations
when travelling to and from airports

Avoid catching a rideshare service that is close to a metered taxi.

Driving permit

To drive in South Africa, you must:

have a valid Australian driver's licence, and
be at least 18 years of age

Driving without the correct licence can affect your insurance.

If you move to South Africa, you can swap your Australian driver's licence for a South African licence. You must do so within the first 12 months of your residency. Contact the issuing road authority if you're requested to obtain a verification of your driver's licence to convert your licence.

If you're going to ride a motorcycle, check whether your travel insurance policy covers you. Always wear a helmet.

Use extreme caution on roads.

Road travel

There have been arson attacks on cargo trucks across South Africa. These attacks can cause damage to infrastructure, road closures and lengthy delays. Before you travel by road, check for any disruption on your route and use major roads where it's safe to do so. Verify that alternate routes recommended by your GPS are safe using verified sources. Monitor local news, radio, and social media for updates. There have been instances of travellers being rerouted by their GPS through unsafe areas. Follow the advice of local authorities.

Road conditions are generally good but can vary, especially in rural areas.

Hazards in urban and rural areas include:

excessive speed
poor driving skills
difficult conditions
pedestrians and animals straying onto roads, especially at night
drunk driving, especially at night

People have been attacked travelling on alternate and secondary roads to Cape Town International Airport. When travelling to or from the Cape Town International Airport:

remain on the M2 or N2 highways if safe to do so
avoid detours through Borchard’s Quarry Road leading to Nyanga
Airport transfers are available

You're more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in South Africa than in Australia.

Driving or riding

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

friends and family
travel agent
insurance provider

National emergencies

Medical emergencies.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australian High Commission, Pretoria

292 Orient Street Arcadia Pretoria, South Africa Phone: (+27 12) 423 6000 Fax: (+27 12) 342 8442 Email: [email protected] Website: southafrica.embassy.gov.au Facebook: Australian High Commission in South Africa Twitter: @AuHCSouthAfrica

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to South Africa?

Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

AustraliaDreamer
When Can South Africa Travel To Australia

Are you a South African planning to travel to Australia? It's important to stay updated on the current travel restrictions, requirements, and guidelines. In this article, we will provide you with all the necessary information you need to know before planning your trip.

Current Travel Restrictions

Requirements for south africans traveling to australia, quarantine and testing procedures, travel insurance and health coverage, visa and documentation requirements, flight options and airlines, popular destinations in australia, travel tips and advice, 1. what are the current travel restrictions for south africans traveling to australia, 2. what are the requirements for quarantine and testing upon arrival in australia, 3. do i need travel insurance and health coverage for my trip, 4. what are the visa and documentation requirements for south africans traveling to australia.

As of the latest update, there are travel restrictions in place for South Africans traveling to Australia. These restrictions are subject to change based on the evolving COVID-19 situation. It is crucial to regularly check for updates from the Australian government and relevant authorities.

When traveling from South Africa to Australia, there are certain requirements that you need to fulfill. These requirements may include providing proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results, and completing necessary forms and declarations. It is essential to thoroughly understand and fulfill these requirements to ensure a smooth travel experience.

Upon arrival in Australia, South Africans may be required to undergo quarantine and testing procedures. This may involve mandatory hotel quarantine for a specific period and multiple COVID-19 tests during the quarantine period. It is essential to be aware of these procedures and plan accordingly.

Travel insurance is highly recommended when traveling to Australia from South Africa. It provides financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. Additionally, it is important to have health coverage that includes COVID-19-related expenses to ensure you are adequately protected during your trip.

South Africans traveling to Australia will need a valid visa. It is important to check the specific visa requirements based on the purpose of your visit. Additionally, you will need to have all the necessary documentation, including a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and a return or onward ticket.

Various airlines offer flights from South Africa to Australia. It is recommended to compare different flight options, including direct and connecting flights, to find the most suitable and convenient option for your travel needs. Be sure to check the airline's COVID-19 policies and protocols before booking your tickets.

Australia is known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant cities. Some popular destinations to explore include Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Great Ocean Road. Research and plan your itinerary to make the most of your trip to Australia.

Stay updated with the latest travel advisories and guidelines from the Australian government.
Plan and book your accommodation and activities in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
Be mindful of the local customs and traditions in Australia.
Carry necessary medications and a first aid kit with you.
Ensure you have sufficient funds for your trip.

Traveling from South Africa to Australia requires careful planning and adherence to the current travel restrictions and guidelines. By staying informed and fulfilling all the necessary requirements, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip to Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The current travel restrictions for South Africans traveling to Australia are subject to change. It is advisable to check the latest updates from the Australian government and relevant authorities.

Upon arrival in Australia, South Africans may be required to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine for a specific period and multiple COVID-19 tests. Detailed information on quarantine and testing procedures can be obtained from the Australian government.

Yes, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance that provides coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, having health coverage that includes COVID-19-related expenses is crucial for your peace of mind during your trip.

South Africans traveling to Australia need a valid visa. It is important to check the specific visa requirements based on the purpose of your visit. Additionally, you will need to have all the necessary documentation, including a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and a return or onward ticket.

Australian Tourism Planning A Trip To The United States

Travel To Australia As A Student

Travel To Australia On A Uk Passport

To Travel To Australia From Nz

New Zealand Can Travel To Australia

Travel To Australia On Indian Passport

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Find cheap flights to Australia from R8 905

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from south africa to australia departing on 6/6. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to australia.

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Faqs - booking australia flights, how long is the flight to australia.

An average direct flight from South Africa to Australia takes 30h 26m, covering a distance of 16752 km. The most popular route is Johannesburg - Sydney with an average flight time of 11h 50m.

What is the cheapest flight to Australia?

The cheapest ticket to Australia from South Africa found in the last 72 hours was R6 248 one-way, and R17 505 round-trip. The most popular route is Johannesburg OR Tambo to Sydney Kingsford Smith and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was R17 505.

Which airlines fly to Australia?

EL AL, Qantas Airways & South African fly the most frequently from South Africa to Australia.

What are the most popular destinations in Australia?

The next most popular destinations are Melbourne (25%) and Perth (20%). Searches for flights to Brisbane (18%), to Adelaide (3%) and to Hobart (1%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Australia

Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Australia flight deals.

Top 5 airlines flying to Australia

Great to have actual hot tastey meal on a flight. Well done

I commend the flight attendants on our SFO-SIN flight who went above and beyond to provide us with extra snacks and food. This type of service makes the flight experience personal and awesome.

Wonderful service, planes and interior in great condition, very pleasant experience

Every thing was fine. Some ild classical Hindi movies should be add

They close their counter so early. I had internet issues so I couldn’t check In online . I would have made the flight but their counter was closed 5 minutes before we arrived. No way of contacting them even though I had the confirmation number and tried to check in the night before on someone else’s phone. I tried calling their customer service with no pick up. Horrible experience, I’m very unhappy with them. I hope to never fly with them ever again. It costed me almost $900.

They are great with every aspect of customer service. Helped my elderly father and aided him with using the restroom.

Transfer within the same terminal and lots of facilities at the airport.

Even though it was a very full flight, the service was still excellent, the plane did not feel too cramped and cabin crew made a sincere effort to help passengers find overhead space for stowing luggage.

The seat comfort, the food and of course the crew, they made you feel welcome and relaxed 😊

The overall operation needs to be improved. The in-flight services took forever and sometimes ran out of options.

On the Dubai-Gatwick flight the only meal options were Beef or Chicken. No vegetarian option. This was a surprise. I would usually order in advance but did not this time. Would have been good to know that a vegetarian meal is not available as a standard meal. Thankfully it was just me travelling, but if I’d had my kids with me that would have been a big problem for us.

Flight from Dubai to Zagreb very bad cabin crew. Bad food

Excellent airlines. I highly recommend using Emirates. Its my number 1 airlines

The individual attention the crew gives to passengers is commendable and I find them positively helpful.

On both legs of my trips (Jhb - Dxb and Dxb - Jhb) the entertainment system did not work.

service was slow, to get water had to press 4-5 times , crew come near but never notice, serving those they like to serve, hope this crew can improve their attentive ness and serve everyone respectfully.

Ask for extra blanket if needed. Also middle seating have bad access position to access reading light and vent so only choose those seating if traveling as family or friends, etc.

Premium economy on Emirate A380 is simply the best non-business class product. In fact its probably better than many business class if the seat isnt lying flat. The food and service is close to perfect!

For such a long flight I feel the spacing of seats could’ve been better to make it more comfortable for passengers. Very little space to move & stretch legs.

The flight was delayed in Jhb and I could have had some help in Dubai trying to get to my connecting flight to London

No towels or tissue and chocolate and mint provided before arrival

Overall it was a very good experience. Boarding was efficient and well organized. The cabin crew were excellent. The meals were tasty and quite filling. The warm bread rolls were a nice touch. Seats were comfortable even if they were a little narrow. Entertainment selection was excellent.

Ultimate customer care humble and excellent service oriented crew , perfect timing maintained by the crew . My profound appreciation.

Boarding delayed, no communication. I left the lounge, and heard a final call, boarding started after a 30 minutes.

Very very bad.. more than 48 hr I didn’t received my baggage yet

The overall experience for the price we paid was mediocre. Nothing outstanding! Check in process was standard. Flight attendants could have been more well mannered. I found it rude when the attendant nudged me with the snack box to grab my attention when not looking. She could have said ,’excuse me’ instead. My son’s in flight entertainment was not working. The food was not great either. The snack options were not so great with kids in mind. Overall, might not travel qatar again.

professional crew god service good entertainment need choices for diabetic meal

In spite of placing requests for vegetarian food, I didn’t get it because they ran out of stock. According to crew, only fixed number of vegetarian orders will be carried. Typically, they should have checked and served those who had specifically requested. I was one of those to get the food last.

The qatar airways flights were great, the code share with Indigo could have been a lot better. There is no option for web check in, there is not information on the tickets for the INDIGO PNR this caused a problem with security letting us into the airport. The indigo staff did not even want us to line up before they opened the counters. There is not option on the indigo flgith to request special meals.

I like is everything is good seets are little uncomfortable during the long flight ✈️ Doha to us , luggage 🧳 came too late overall very nice thank you for all

Amazing! Was put on the earlier flight and I requested for an aisle seat and was given it. Thanks Qantas!

The staff we fantastic and seemed to work very well with each other

Business lounge in Melbourne mediocre. Look at Emirates or Qatar, Qantas! Great friendly crew. Food was good but Emirates is a level above. Business seat good. But can’t compare to Qatar. Main reason for booking Qantas is loyalty and terrific connection via Perth to LHR.

It's only a short trip from Sydney to Melbourne, which i have done many times. The trip met my expectations

The crew were amazing - A great job. They made me feel special and valued.

I really appreciated the fact that when I checked my bags at the Quantas counter after arriving from an international flight an hour early, the agent noticed I had a very long layover. He then found an earlier flight that allowed me to get to Cairns several hours earlier than I planned. That was amazing because I had already traveled over 20 hours and wasn’t looking forward to such a long layover. It allowed me to see my daughter and grandchildren much earlier (it had been two years since I visited last).

Qantas cancelled my flight for no good reason and rebooked me into a middle seat.

Boarding was terrible - the ground staff member Fredeya at lax was more military than customer service, have never encountered a customer service representative as rude as her. Apart from that all other staff were wonderful and the flight was good.

The flight met my expectations. It left and landed on time

My bag didn’t make it but otherwise it was a great experience.

1st of all on February 27th Abu Dhabi to Delhi flight the seat wasn't comfortable at all, coming back the Lounge at Abu Dhabi didn't have anything. Than the Food in the flight

Overall mediocre experience. Check in was good. They're were discriminatory. They were not attentive, food choices were not vegetarian friendly. The food served was frozen.

The staff was very nice and polite but it was very very hot and no ways to have some fresh air. It would be nice to have more time to sleep since it was a night flight

The staff was kind and polite, but it was very very hot and no ways to have some fresh air.it would be also be nice to have more time to sleep, since it was a night flight

One thing is very important is you people not giving seat arrangement together to couple, senior citizen. You have to take care of senior citizen. Do not look about money. Money is not important everywhere. Make relationship strong is very very important. I like Etiyad air line out of all air line. Food was hot and delicious. Air hostess gave very good service, nice attitude, very good behaviour. I gave 10 out of 10 marks. Thanks Jivraj

Very unfriendly team. It was very difficult to get a cup of coffee. Legroom was extremely small. Old, dilapidated plane.

Food was very good. Again tray could use a non-skid mat. I had a regular seat - comfortable - able to sleep undisturbed. Boarding was uneventful.

Crew was good, boarding mediocre, food choices were limited, seating was not comfortable

Food and beverage service have rooms for improvement .there were no entertainment facilities available

It feels like the seat did not have any cushion just plywood. The seats are so compact that I could not even move at all and I am slim. Just imagine someone else. Singapore Air and Emirates are far far better than this. Do not even travel for free. For a 12 hour flight sitting on a plywood is horrible experience and on top of that the person at checking counter at NY was worst and rude. Plus they charge arms and leg for everything. I think they would also start charging for belts and oxygen also soon. First and last time flying with Ethiad.

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Australia - South Africa

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Find cheap flights from South Africa to Australia from $701

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from south africa to australia departing on 3/6. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to australia.

Save 19% or more Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track prices Not ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

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Good to know

Faqs for booking flights from south africa to australia, how does kayak find such low prices on flights from south africa to australia.

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from South Africa to Australia.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from South Africa to Australia?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Australia from South Africa is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from South Africa to Australia?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Australia with an airline and back to South Africa with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from South Africa to Australia?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Australia from South Africa up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top 5 airlines serving from South Africa to Australia