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South Africa → Australia

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
South Africa
To
Australia
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
5,217
Change since 2018
+21.6%
Share of all arrivals in Australia, 2023
2.38%
Inflow 20235,217OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from South Africa to Australia

Inflows of nationals of South Africa recorded by Australia; stock of nationals of South Africa living there; and acquisitions of Australia's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

5,63211k200020032006200920122015201820212023
5,63211k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20006,178
20016,813
20027,192
20035,882
20047,132
20055,704
20064,788
20075,378
20086,936
200911,264
201011,098
20118,089
20128,033
20135,798
20144,883
20154,669
20163,975
20174,783
20184,289
20194,000
20203,819
20213,739
20225,369
20235,217
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
20235,217—5,076
20225,369—4,869
20213,739—3,854
20203,819—5,438
20194,000—2,680
20184,289—3,370
20174,783—4,906
20163,975—5,629
20154,669—6,211
20144,883—9,286
20135,798—7,900
20128,033—4,206
20118,089—4,389
201011,098—5,218
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in South Africa who live in Australia: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

107k213k19901995200020052010201520202024
107k213k19902000201020202024
Data table
199046,167
199559,022
200080,607
2005114,035
2010156,200
2015177,482
2020199,994
2024213,447
Estimate, 2024
213,447
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
2.6%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
7
Counted by
country of birth, refugees added
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Australian skilled visas

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of South Africa, by financial year ending 30 June and stream (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

1,6323,2632005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
1,6323,2632005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–062,057
2006–072,417
2007–083,263
2008–093,195
2009–101,033
2010–111,301
2011–121,550
2012–131,052
2013–14598
2014–15646
2015–16656
2016–17865
2017–18719
2018–191,005
2019–20949
2020–21522
2021–22954
2022–231,848
2023–241,952
2024–251,532
2025–261,451
Financial yearAll streamsCore SkillsSpecialist SkillsLabour AgreementTSS medium-termTSS short-term
2025–261,4511,080280452719
2024–251,5323109879641404
2023–241,95200731,299580
2022–231,84800921,347409
2021–229540033725196
2020–215220022362138
2019–209490016715217
2018–191,0050023736183
2017–1871900134729
2016–1786500600
2015–16656001100
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
2.1%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Australia, 2023; South Africa ranks 9.

Inflows to Australia, 2023
  1. India55,277
  2. China36,349
  3. Nepal13,771
  4. Philippines13,083
  5. United Kingdom10,185
  6. Pakistan7,521
  7. Vietnam7,503
  8. Sri Lanka6,055
  9. South Africa5,217
  10. Afghanistan4,275
  11. Iran3,651
  12. Malaysia3,534
Other destinations for people from South Africa, 2023
  1. New Zealand8,667
  2. Netherlands4,201
  3. United States3,180
  4. Germany1,478
  5. South Korea1,468
  6. Portugal773
  7. Japan629
  8. France303
  9. Belgium302
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more