Cost of Australian Visa from South Africa: What You Will Actually Spend in 2025-26
Cost of Australian Visa from South Africa: What You Will Actually Spend in 2025-26
The Australian Government publishes its visa fees in Australian Dollars. The South African Rand makes those fees feel different every few months. What stays consistent is the full cost picture — sunk costs, government fees, and the total investment you are making before a single flight is booked.
Here is a clear breakdown of what the Australia skilled migration process costs for a South African applicant in 2025-26.
The Visa Application Charge (Government Fees)
The Australian Government updated its visa application charges on 1 July 2025. For the General Skilled Migration program — covering the 189, 190, and 491 visas — the fees are:
| Applicant | Fee (AUD) | Approx. in ZAR (at R12.50/AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $4,910 | R61,375 |
| Additional adult (18+) | $2,455 | R30,688 |
| Additional child (under 18) | $1,230 | R15,375 |
A family of four — two adults, two children — pays approximately:
- Primary: R61,375
- Second adult: R30,688
- Two children: R30,750
- Total government fees: R122,813
These fees are paid through ImmiAccount via credit card. International transaction surcharges of 1–2% apply, and the ZAR equivalent moves with the exchange rate. Given the Rand's historical volatility, it is prudent to budget a 10–15% buffer on all AUD-denominated costs.
Skills Assessment Fees
Before you can submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, you must complete a skills assessment through your relevant assessing authority. Assessment fees vary by body:
| Assessing Authority | Occupation Group | Assessment Fee |
|---|---|---|
| ACS | IT professionals | ~R5,500 |
| Engineers Australia | Engineering professionals | ~R10,000 |
| VETASSESS | Business, science, health (various) | ~R6,500 |
| ANMAC | Nursing and midwifery | ~R8,000 |
| TRA | Trades | ~R8,000 |
Note: ACS, Engineers Australia, and ANMAC publish fees in AUD — the ZAR cost fluctuates. If your skills assessment is rejected and you need to reapply, the fee is charged again. Getting the application right the first time — including correct documentation and ANZSCO code selection — is worth the preparation effort.
SAQA evaluation (if required by your assessing authority): R2,270 for the first qualification, R950 for each additional qualification.
English Language Testing
Both IELTS and PTE Academic are accepted for skilled migration. As of 2025-26 in South Africa:
- PTE Academic: Approximately R4,300 per attempt (Johannesburg, Cape Town)
- IELTS Academic/General: Approximately R6,200 per attempt (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban)
Budget for two attempts. Many fluent South African speakers miss the Superior English threshold (IELTS 8.0 / PTE 79 in every band) on the first attempt due to test mechanics, not language ability. A second attempt at R4,300 is the cheapest way to gain 10 extra migration points — the difference between Proficient English (10 points) and Superior English (20 points).
If your partner is also included in the application and needs to meet the English requirement for partner skills points, budget separately for their test as well.
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Medical Examinations
Panel physician medicals in South Africa cost approximately R3,000 to R5,000 per adult (physical examination, chest X-ray, blood tests). Children under 11 typically cost less as they do not require the chest X-ray.
For two adults: R6,000 to R10,000.
Additional costs may apply if:
- A Commonwealth Medical Officer (CMO) referral is triggered (common for applicants with previous TB history)
- Further sputum or specialist tests are requested
- Travel to a panel physician location in Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Cape Town is required
Police Clearance Certificate
The official SAPS police clearance fee is R190. This is the cost at the station.
However, if you use an expedited service to ensure turnaround within 10 working days — which most applicants with a 60-day post-invitation window need — third-party expedited services charge R2,500 to R7,000. Budget R4,000 for a reliable middle-tier expedited service.
SAQA and Document Authentication
If your qualifications require SAQA evaluation: R2,270 (first qualification).
Notarization and apostilles for documents intended for use outside South Africa: R1,750 to R3,500 per document set, depending on the service used. Not all documents need apostilling — but transcripts and certifications often do.
University transcript fees: R150 to R500 per institution, plus courier costs.
The Total Picture
Single applicant, standard case (no partner, no dependants):
| Item | Cost (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| Skills assessment | R6,000–R10,000 |
| English test (2 attempts) | R8,600–R12,400 |
| SAQA evaluation | R2,270 |
| Document authentication | R2,000–R5,000 |
| Visa application charge | R61,375 |
| Medical examination | R3,000–R5,000 |
| Police clearance (expedited) | R4,000 |
| Total estimate | R87,000–R110,000 |
Family of four (2 adults, 2 children):
| Item | Cost (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| Skills assessment (primary) | R6,000–R10,000 |
| English tests (x2 adults, 2 attempts each) | R17,200–R24,800 |
| SAQA evaluations | R4,500 |
| Document authentication | R4,000–R8,000 |
| Visa application charges | R122,813 |
| Medical examinations (4 applicants) | R10,000–R18,000 |
| Police clearances (expedited, x2 adults) | R8,000 |
| Total estimate | R172,000–R210,000 |
These figures represent costs up to visa grant. Relocation (flights, shipping, first-month accommodation, school enrollment) is a further R100,000 to R200,000 for a family.
Managing the Rand Risk
Almost every cost beyond the police clearance and SAQA fees is denominated in AUD. The ZAR estimates above use an exchange rate of approximately R12.50 to the AUD — but Rand volatility is real.
A 10% Rand weakening (not unusual) increases the visa application charge alone by R6,000 for a single applicant. For a family, the exposure is significant. Applicants who convert funds through specialist forex providers rather than their retail bank typically recover 1–3% in exchange rates, which partially offsets this risk.
Understanding the full cost picture before you start helps you plan the financial side of this process without surprises. The South Africa → Australia Skilled Migration Guide includes a complete pre-departure budget template and a phased cost timeline from skills assessment through to visa grant.
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