Life After Landing: Settling in Australia from South Africa

First week essentials

Your first few days set the foundation. Three tasks sit at the top of the list.

### Tax File Number

Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) through the Australian Taxation Office as soon as you arrive. You can apply online if your visa allows you to work. Without a TFN, your employer must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate. Processing takes 10 to 28 business days, so apply early.

### Bank account

Open an Australian bank account within your first six weeks. During this window, your passport alone is enough ID. After six weeks, you need a 100-point identity check, which requires multiple documents and is harder to satisfy as a new arrival.

Australia's four major banks are Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB. All offer accounts with low or no monthly fees. Some allow you to begin the application from South Africa before you fly. You'll need your TFN to avoid extra withholding tax on interest.

A note on transfers from South Africa: the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) regulates foreign currency transfers. You'll need tax clearance from SARS for amounts above the annual single discretionary allowance. Set this up before you leave — it can take weeks.

### Mobile phone

Pick up a prepaid SIM from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone at the airport or any convenience store. You'll need an Australian mobile number for bank verification, job applications, and almost every official form.

Healthcare: no reciprocal agreement

This is a critical difference from some other countries. South Africa does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. If you are on a temporary visa, you cannot access Medicare. Private health insurance is not optional — it is essential, and many visa subclasses require it as a condition.

Temporary visa holders must arrange private health insurance that meets Department of Home Affairs requirements. Most migration agents recommend arranging cover before you arrive. Policies from Medibank, Bupa, Allianz, and nib are commonly used. Costs vary depending on your age, family size, and level of cover.

Permanent residents can enrol in Medicare after their visa is granted. Visit a Services Australia centre with your passport, visa grant letter, and proof of address. Your Medicare card usually arrives within a few weeks.

If you held medical aid in South Africa, you'll find that Australian private health insurance works differently. There is no equivalent of discovery points or vitality rewards. Cover is simpler but less customisable than South African medical aid schemes.

For a breakdown of insurance costs, see our cost-of-moving guide for South Africans.

Housing: where South Africans settle

### Perth

Perth is home to Australia's largest South African community. The northern suburbs — Joondalup, Wanneroo, Hillarys — and the southern corridor around Rockingham and Mandurah have well-established SA populations. You'll find South African butchers, restaurants, and shops within easy reach.

Perth's climate draws obvious comparisons. The dry summers feel like Cape Town. The coastal lifestyle echoes Durban without the humidity. For many South Africans, Perth is the closest thing to home on a different continent.

Housing in Perth is more affordable than Sydney or Melbourne. Expect to pay a rental bond of four weeks' rent plus two weeks in advance before you move in.

### Brisbane

Brisbane's Mt Gravatt area and surrounding suburbs have a growing South African community. Queensland's subtropical climate and lower cost of living attract families. The Gold Coast, an hour south, also has a visible SA presence.

### Sydney and Melbourne

Sydney's North Shore and Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs both have South African communities, though they are smaller and more dispersed than Perth's. Housing costs are significantly higher. If your job is in Sydney or Melbourne, factor rent into your budget carefully — see the cost calculator for estimates.

Working in Australia

### Workplace culture

Australian workplaces are more casual than most South African corporate environments. First names are standard from day one, including with senior management. Hierarchy exists but sits flatter. Meetings start with small talk, often about the weekend or sport.

The biggest shift South Africans report is the pace. Australians are direct but rarely in a rush. Deadlines matter, but the urgency culture common in Johannesburg offices is less pronounced. Expect genuine work-life balance — people leave on time and take their annual leave.

If your occupation requires a skills assessment before you can work, our guide on what a skills assessment involves explains the process.

### Superannuation

Superannuation is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Your employer must pay 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund. This is on top of your salary, not deducted from it. You can choose your own fund or use your employer's default.

### Tax

The Australian financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Most South Africans on work visas are treated as Australian tax residents and taxed on worldwide income. Lodge your tax return through the ATO's myTax portal by 31 October each year (or later through a registered tax agent).

South Africa taxes its residents on worldwide income too. If you are still a South African tax resident, you may need to manage obligations in both countries. This is a complex area — seek advice from a tax professional who understands both systems. This article provides general information, not tax advice.

Driving: same side of the road

South Africa and Australia both drive on the left. Steering wheel position, roundabout direction, road rules — all familiar. This is one less thing to worry about.

Each state sets its own rules for overseas licence holders. Most allow driving on a valid South African licence for three to six months. After that, you need a local licence. Requirements vary — some states convert directly, others require a knowledge test, a driving test, or both. Check with your state's road authority before your SA licence period expires.

Public transport varies by city. Perth's train network covers the northern and southern corridors well. Sydney and Melbourne have extensive train, bus, and ferry systems. Most cities use a tap-on, tap-off card (SmartRider in Perth, Opal in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne).

Schools and education

Australian schools run on a calendar-year schedule (late January to mid-December), divided into four terms of roughly 10 weeks each. This is different from South Africa's January-to-December year with three or four terms.

Government schools are free for permanent residents and citizens. Temporary visa holders may need to pay fees, which vary by state. Independent and Catholic schools charge tuition but are often comparable to mid-range South African private schools at current exchange rates. Uniforms are standard at nearly all Australian schools — this will feel familiar.

Enrolment is usually handled directly with the school. Bring your child's most recent school reports, translated and authenticated if needed. Our document authentication guide covers what you need.

The SA community: braai, sport, and home comforts

South Africans in Australia maintain a strong community identity. Perth alone has multiple South African shops, butchers, and restaurants. Boerewors, biltong, droewors, Mrs Ball's chutney, and rusks are all available. You don't need to pack a suitcase full of biltong (though many people still do).

### Braai culture

Australia's barbecue culture makes South Africans feel at home. Most parks and public spaces have free gas or electric barbecues. Community braai events — run by SA social groups, church communities, and informal networks — happen regularly, especially in Perth. The argument about gas versus wood braai continues on Australian soil.

### Sport

Cricket and rugby are the fastest social bridges. Local cricket clubs welcome experienced players, and grade cricket runs from October to March. Rugby union clubs exist in every major city, and Super Rugby matches draw South African supporters. The Big Bash League (BBL) and AFL fill the rest of the sporting calendar.

If you follow the Springboks, you'll find supporters' groups in every capital city. Test matches between Australia and South Africa are regular fixtures.

### Community groups

South African community organisations operate in most states. They run social events, networking functions, and support services for new arrivals. Facebook groups for South Africans in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne are active and useful for practical advice.

Cultural adjustment

Most South Africans describe the adjustment as positive. The climate is similar. The outdoor lifestyle is familiar. English removes the language barrier, and the general friendliness of Australians makes social integration easier.

The surprises tend to be practical. The sun is stronger than you expect — even if you're used to the Highveld UV. The Australian sun protection message (slip, slop, slap) is worth taking seriously. Distances are vast — Perth to Sydney is further than Johannesburg to Nairobi.

Many South Africans notice the improved sense of personal safety. Walking at night, leaving windows open, and letting children play outside are ordinary here. This shift is often cited as a major quality-of-life gain.

Homesickness can hit around three to six months in, once the novelty fades and the distance from family becomes real. The time zone difference is manageable — Perth is six hours ahead of Johannesburg, and east-coast cities are eight hours ahead. Regular video calls help, but building a local routine and social circle matters more.

Next steps

Your first month sets the tone. Get your TFN, bank account, and health insurance sorted in week one. Start exploring suburbs that match your work and lifestyle. Find a South African butcher. Join a cricket or rugby club.

If you're still working through the visa process, our visa options guide for South Africans covers every subclass in detail. For document preparation, see the SA document authentication guide.

Need help with your application? Find a MARA-registered migration agent through Migratio's directory, or browse agents who specialise in skilled visas or partner visas. You can check your points score with our points calculator or estimate your total costs with the cost calculator.

For guidance on choosing the right professional, see how to choose a migration agent.

Related Migratio resources

- Moving to Australia from South Africa — 2026 guide
- Visa options for South Africans moving to Australia
- Cost of moving to Australia from South Africa
- SA document authentication for Australian immigration
- How to choose a migration agent
- What is a skills assessment?
- Find a skilled visa agent

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Can South Africans get Medicare in Australia?

South Africa does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. South Africans on temporary visas need private health insurance. Permanent residents can enrol in Medicare after visa grant.

Where do most South Africans live in Australia?

Perth has the largest South African community, particularly in the northern and southern suburbs. Brisbane's Mt Gravatt area, Sydney's North Shore, and parts of Melbourne also have significant SA populations. Perth's climate and lifestyle are often compared favourably to Cape Town and Durban.

Can I drive in Australia with a South African licence?

Most states allow driving on a valid SA licence for three to six months. South Africa drives on the left, same as Australia, so no road-side adjustment is needed. After the initial period, you need to obtain an Australian licence — requirements vary by state.

Is the braai culture alive in Australia?

Absolutely. Australia has a strong barbecue culture that South Africans find familiar. Many parks have free public barbecues. South African butchers and specialty stores in Perth and other cities stock boerewors, biltong, and other SA products. Community braai events are regular social gatherings.