Offramp← All destinations

🇿🇦 South Africa → 🇦🇺 Australia

Emigrating from South Africa to Australia: the real cost

The classic skilled-migration route. Strong demand for SA professionals, but the points test, skills assessment and visa fees add up fast.

Difficulty

Moderate

Timeline

8–18 mo

Currency

AUD

Cost-to-leave estimator

🇿🇦 South Africa → 🇦🇺 Australia. Indicative ranges, not a quote.

Skills assessment ×2check ↗A$600 – A$2,000
English test (IELTS/PTE) ×2A$700 – A$900
Visa application — primary applicantcheck ↗A$4,765
Visa charge — additional adult (18+)check ↗A$2,385
Visa charge — child (under 18)check ↗A$1,195
Immigration medical exams ×3A$1,050 – A$1,500
Police clearance certificates ×2A$120 – A$300
One-way flights ×3A$2,700 – A$5,400
SA tax clearance / financial-emigration adminA$500 – A$2,000
Landing fund (bond, first month, setup)A$5,000 – A$10,000

Estimated total cost to leave

A$19,015 – A$30,445

Fees reviewed 2026-06. Indicative FX. Not financial, tax or migration advice. Official fees ↗

Your retirement money

Retirement Annuity / Pension / Provident fund→Superannuation

You generally cannot transfer a SA retirement annuity directly into Australian super. Most people cease SA tax residency, then withdraw under SA rules (often after the 3-year lock-in), pay any SA tax, and move the proceeds via the formal forex channel. Get specialist advice before touching it.

Dig deeper on Australia

Retirement annuity→Tax residency→Cost breakdown→Visa & timeline→

Frequently asked

How much does it cost to emigrate from South Africa to Australia?

It varies by family size and route, but most households should budget across visa fees, medical and police checks, flights, tax/forex admin and a landing fund. Use the estimator on this page for a personalised range. The classic skilled-migration route. Strong demand for SA professionals, but the points test, skills assessment and visa fees add up fast.

Can I transfer my SA retirement annuity to Australia?

You generally cannot transfer a SA retirement annuity directly into Australian super. Most people cease SA tax residency, then withdraw under SA rules (often after the 3-year lock-in), pay any SA tax, and move the proceeds via the formal forex channel. Get specialist advice before touching it.

How long does the move to Australia take?

Typically 8–18 months. Points-tested skilled visas (189/190/491).

Get the Australia financial-emigration playbook

Step-by-step checklist for tax residency, retirement annuity, forex clearance and banking. Join the list for launch pricing.

See a free sample of the playbook →

Educational information only — not financial, tax, legal or migration advice. Fees reviewed 2026-06; verify current figures via the official links above before acting.