Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in Australia for South Africans
A guide to Australia: Your one-stop for all you need to know while planning a move from South Africa. Plus, money transfers simplified with the Wise.
Moving to Australia from South Africa: Go-to Guide!
Moving to Australia from South Africa is an exciting idea. With such a vast landscape, so many incredible cities, and a rich culture, there’s definitely a pull towards Australia for many. However, moving to Australia isn’t as easy as just getting on a one-way flight - there’s a lot of information you need to know and have figured out before you make the move.
In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at the process of moving to Australia from South Africa, sharing the information, tips, and advice you need to know if you want to move there.
We’ll also be introducing Wise, a bank alternative to transfer money from Australia to South Africa.
Moving to Australia from South Africa (quick facts)
| Expenses | Cost in USD | Cost in ZAR |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $25¹³ | 299 ZAR |
| Meal, mid-range restaurant (2 people) | $120¹³ | 1,434 ZAR |
| Beer (local) | $10¹³ | 120 ZAR |
| Bread | $3.50¹³ | 42 ZAR |
| Milk | $2.30¹³ | 27.50 ZAR |
| Rent in the city centre (1 bed) | $2,300¹³ | 27,498 ZAR |
| Rent outside the city centre (1 bed) | $1,846¹³ | 22,070 ZAR |
| Public transport (local, monthly pass) | $170¹³ | 2,032 ZAR |
| Fuel (1 litre) | $2¹³ | 24 ZAR |
Send money with Wise from Australia to South Africa using the mid-market rate
South Africans living in Australia can save money¹ by using Wise, a bank alternative, to make international payments to South Africa.
When sending money to South Africa from Australia with Wise, you can reduce international transfer costs¹.
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
While some banks support international payments, they usually add a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate for this transaction that customers end up paying.
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate along with a small fee mentioned upfront for all transfers. This means you’ll likely be getting better rates for international money transfers, and you’ll know upfront how much each transaction will cost you¹.
Using Wise in Australia, you can send money to South Africa, and hold and receive money in 40+ currencies³.
Australia visa types and requirements
As a South African, you can move to Australia permanently in three main ways, through the Migration Program.
These three ways include the Skill stream, Family stream and Special Eligibility visas.
Let’s take a look at each of these visa types, the requirements, and the fees associated with them.
Visa information for moving to Australia from South Africa with the Skill Stream
The Skill stream is a type of visa pathway that allows you to move to Australia if you have a specific skill or qualification, or if you’re an entrepreneur that’s needed in Australia. These as split into seven components⁹:
- Business Innovation and Investment
- Distinguished Talent
- Employer Sponsored
- Global Talent (Independent)
- Regional
- Skilled Independent
- State/Territory Nominated.
You will have to look into where your skills and qualifications align with the needs of Australia to see which category your visa would be under.
| Eligibility for this visa |
|
| Options with this visa |
|
| Cost | From AUD4,640.00 for the main applicant.¹⁰ There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you - $2,320 for those over 18) and $1,160 for each child under 18.¹⁰ The fee may be higher if the family member doesn’t have functional English.¹⁰ |
Visa information for moving to Australia from South Africa with the Family Stream
The Family stream is a type of visa pathway that allows you to permanently migrate to Australia if you are close family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens⁹. The main focus of this visa is for partners and parents, but it can be extended to additional family members, such as older, dependent relatives⁹.
Depending on your specific circumstance and relationship with the family member in Australia, you will be eligible for a specific type of family stream visa. The costs associated with each differ, as does the eligibility and the options you have both when to apply for the visa and once you have it.
Let’s take a look at the costs and options available to you if you are applying for a partner visa.
| Eligibility for this visa | You must be in a genuine relationship with your spouse or partner who is¹¹:
|
| Options with this visa |
|
| Cost | From AUD8,850.00 - you pay once, in total for both the provisional visa and the permanent one¹¹. |
Visa information for moving to Australia from South Africa with the Special Eligibility Visa
The Special Eligibility visa is a type of visa that allows previous Australian residents and certain people who served in the Australian Defence Force to remain or move to Australia permanently⁹.
| Eligibility for this visa |
|
| Options with this visa |
|
| Cost | From AUD4,540.00¹² |
Cost of living in Australia
The cost of living in Australia varies depending on where you are and decide to live. For example, staying in big cities like Sydney and Brisbane will be much more expensive than staying in small towns or in the countryside.
However, on average, it’s estimated that a family of four will spend around 5,919.5A$ and a single person will spend around 1,683.0A$. This does not include rent or bills.
To get a better feeling of the cost of living in Australia, let’s take a look at some general expenses:
| Expenses | Cost in USD | Cost in ZAR |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $25¹³ | 299 ZAR |
| Meal, mid-range restaurant (2 people) | $120¹³ | 1,434 ZAR |
| Beer (local) | $10¹³ | 120 ZAR |
| Bread | $3.50¹³ | 42 ZAR |
| Milk | $2.30¹³ | 27.50 ZAR |
| Rent in the city centre (1 bed) | $2,300¹³ | 27,498 ZAR |
| Rent outside the city centre (1 bed) | $1,846¹³ | 22,070 ZAR |
| Public transport (local, monthly pass) | $170¹³ | 2,032 ZAR |
| Fuel (1 litre) | $2¹³ | 24 ZAR |
How to open a bank account in Australia?
Opening a bank account in Australia is fairly simple and with several of the main Australian banks, you can open a bank account before you arrive in Australia.
You can open a bank account in Australia online before arriving in the country, on the phone or in person. If you do it online, you'll need to visit a branch with valid forms of identity verification that add up to 100 points of ID¹⁴ when you arrive in Australia.
You can open a bank account online, on the phone, or in person.
If you choose to open a bank account online or on the phone rather than in person, when you arrive in Australia you will need to visit one of the bank’s branches with valid forms of ID. These forms of ID needs to add up to “100 points” which is a requirement in Australia - this means you have to have a mixture of documents that make up 100 points to certify your identity¹⁴.
For example, you may need two copies of standard ID such as a driver's license and passport, then you will need a utility bill and your granted visa.
Banking in Australia without residency status
You can open a bank account easily without residency status. However, not all banks allow you to do this, so you need to choose one that has foreign-specific bank accounts.
When you arrive in Australia, you must head to the bank’s branch and show your forms of ID to use the account.
Maintenance fees and charges
Most Australian banks do not charge maintenance fees and charges unless you are choosing to open a premium or business account. However, some Australian banks do have a requirement that a minimum amount of money has to be deposited into the account each month, so make sure you check the fee and charge information before opening an account.
Wise Card
Holding, spending, and receiving money in Australia is easy² with Wise. You can set up your Wise account when you get to Australia and also have the option to order the Wise Card.
Plus, you can also choose to use a free Digital Wise Card³, add this to your mobile wallet, and pay in AUD when you are there, to avoid exchange rate differences or hidden conversion fees¹.
Finding a job in Australia
Finding a job in Australia can be difficult, especially if you are planning to use the Skill Stream visa pathway - it can seem daunting. However, just make sure you’re aware of the jobs that Australia needs skilled workers for and start searching.
You can job hunt online easily and the best sites for finding jobs in Australia are:
You may also want to reach out to recruitment agencies in Australia, just make sure you are always contacting reputable agencies.
How to make friends and socialise in Australia
Australians are generally very friendly people, so it’s an easy country to make friends in, especially if you’re living in cities or towns where there are social and networking events going on.
Find local clubs and groups to join by searching online, or hang out in the local bar and strike up a conversation with someone - it’s not unusual to have a conversation with a stranger in Australia.
Healthcare in Australia
Australia has a great public healthcare system¹⁵. The government subsidises and provides free healthcare through an initiative called Medicare¹⁵. You may be eligible to join Medicare as a permanent resident. However, many expats living in Australia pay for their own health care using cash or through private health insurance (this may be provided by an employer).
It’s also a good idea to be aware of emergency numbers in Australia:
| Contact Number | |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 000 |
| Police | 000 |
| Fire Brigade | 000 |
Is it worth moving to Australia from South Africa?
Australia is a wonderful, beautiful, friendly country with a lot of opportunities for expats and a good quality of life.
However, visa eligibility can be limited. If you are eligible for a visa and you want to make the move, it’s a great idea.
Using Wise in Australia, you can send money to South Africa, and hold and receive money in 40+ currencies³.
Sources:
- Please seeTerms of Use for your region or visit WiseFees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.
- Eligibility is subject to verification of customer identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions.
- Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
- Worldometer, Australia Population
- Visit Australia - Weather in Australia
- Australian Bureau of Statistics - Population by Country of Birth.)
- Full Time Salary - Talent.Com
- Permanent Migration from South Africa - Australian Government Home Affairs
- Skilled Independent Visa - Australian Government
- Partner Visa - Australian Government
- Former Resident Visa - Australian Government
- Cost of Living Australia - Numbeo
- 100 Points of ID - Proudly South African in Perth
- The Australian Healthcare System - Health Gov AU
*Sources last checked as Monday 13th November, 2023.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
