Australian High Commission
Pretoria
Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini

Visas and citizenship

Visas and citizenship applications for Australia are managed by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

For information on entering and leaving Australia, please visit entering and leaving Australia.

Australian citizens are expected to travel to Australia using an Australian passport.

If you require additional information, you may telephone the Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm your local time.

International calls may be subject to charges imposed by your local carrier. You may wish to consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to avoid potentially high charges.

Tips for potential travellers wishing to visit Australia during December and January.

Before you lodge your visa application -  Check Twice, Submit Once 
Use this link to ensure you:
  • have chosen the correct subclass,
  • have uploaded all the required documentation,
  • have double checked that all information is correct,
  • are aware of your obligations regarding biometrics, health or to update the department of any change of circumstance,
  •  know how to check the progress of your application.

To help us make a timely decision on your visa application, please follow the advice on the department’s website and if required, ensure you complete your biometrics enrolment within the 14-day time-period.  Please ensure you submit a complete application. We may make a decision on your visa application without requesting further information.

Due to the significant increase in applications received from October onwards we would advise applicants to lodge their applications as early as possible, and no later than 1 December 2024.

 

All non-citizens need to obtain a visa prior to travelling to Australia.

Before you begin the visa process you are encouraged to Check Twice, Submit once.  This link will assist with lodging a complete and valid application.

Use ImmiAccount to lodge your application, make a payment, update your details or circumstances, upload documents, and track the progress of your application. If you have provided documents by email to the Department, you will receive an automated acknowledgement. Please remember to check your junk folder and add us as a safe sender.

If you are experiencing technical issues with ImmiAccount, please visit help and support.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs recommends that you do not make non-refundable financial commitments in relation to travel prior to receiving a visa to Australia.

The Department is committed to building more efficient and effective ways of delivering accessible services through the use of digital channels as our default form of delivery.   

You can complete a number of services online without needing to contact the Department directly. This includes:

Choose your visa type

Applying for visas online

Check status of your Australian visa online

We are unable to provide any updates on the progress of your application if it is within standard global processing times.