South Africa to Australia visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders need a visa to visit Australia. You must apply online for the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream, before you travel — there is no ETA, eVisitor, or visa-on-arrival option for South Africans. South Africa is not on Australia's ETA (subclass 601) or eVisitor (subclass 651) eligible passport lists, so South African ordinary passport holders cannot use those streamlined electronic options. The required pathway for tourism or visiting family and friends is the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream (apply outside Australia), lodged online through ImmiAccount before departure. The base application charge is AUD 200.00 for each offshore applicant, with possible extra costs for health checks, police certificates or biometrics. Home Affairs says tourist-stream grants are decided case by case: generally a 3-month stay is granted, but up to 12 months may be granted in certain circumstances, and the visa can be single or multiple entry. The visa is electronically linked to the passport; there is no physical label. The processing-time guide for recently decided subclass 600 Tourist cases shows 50% processed in 18 days, 75% in 23 days and 90% in 31 days, but it is a guide only and not a guarantee. Applicants should not make non-refundable travel commitments until the visa is granted. No work is permitted.