Services for Australians in South Africa
Voting in the Voice Referendum 2023
On 14 October 2023, Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum to alter the Constitution.
The Australian High Commission in Pretoria will be an in-person voting centre and postal vote collection centre.
In-person voting will be available at the High Commission between the hours of 0900-1200 and 1300-1500 on the following dates:
- Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October
Identification will be required for entry into the High Commission.
Before you come to vote, please check your enrolment on the AEC website. You will need to be on the electoral roll (Referendum 2023 - Enrol to vote) to be able to vote in the referendum.
It is not compulsory to vote if you are not in Australia at the time of the referendum. If you will be overseas at the time and unable to vote, you can advise the AEC by completing and returning the Overseas Notification Form. You can also use the Overseas Notification Form and email it to [email protected].
We recommend in-person voting due to the limited postal service in South Africa. However, you may also cast a postal vote in this referendum, which, once completed, can either be posted to the AEC in Australia directly, or mailed or dropped off to the High Commission. If you would like to mail in your postal vote to the High Commission, please send it to:
Australian High Commission
PostNet Suite 493
Menlo Park 0102
South Africa
If dropping off your completed postal vote, please deliver it to the guardhouse at the front of the Australian High Commission, 292 Orient St, Arcadia, Pretoria.
Postal votes delivered to the High Commission must be received by 3pm, Friday 13 October 2023 in order to be dispatched.
Postal votes sent to the AEC in Australia directly must be received by 27 October 2023 in order to be counted.
Additional information on the referendum and voting is available from the AEC website and Smartraveller.
Assisting Australians Overseas within Limits
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Contacting Us
For 24 hour consular assistance please call 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (outside Australia).
Alternatively, please SMS +61 421 269 080.
PLEASE NOTE that Our Honorary Consuls are not able to assist you with any visa or immigration related enquiries.
The following contact details can be used within business hours:
South Africa, eSwatini and Lesotho
Australian High Commission Pretoria
292 Orient Street
Arcadia, Pretoria
+27 12 423 6000
Angola
Botswana
Please contact Warren Rigelsford, Honorary Consul Botswana
Plot 16C1, Mmokolodi 1, Gaborone
+267 776 00002
+267 769 09454 (WhatsApp)
Mozambique
Please contact Mrs Michelle Smith, Honorary Consul Mozambique.
Australian Consulate
49 Rua Beiju de Mulata
Maputo
+258 84 693 3226
Namibia
Please contact Mr Ed Humphrey, Honorary Consul Namibia.
Australian Consulate
56 Chalcedoon Street
Windhoek
+264 61 300 194
+264 81 283 4629
Other Information
Police Clearances from Australia