When I first learned that South Africa was part of the Australian government’s biometrics collection program, I knew that applying for a visa would involve more than just paperwork.
If you’re applying for an Australian visa from South Africa, you need to submit your biometrics before your visa is processed.
However, not all Australian visas require biometrics submission.
If your visa requires biometrics, the Australian authorities will send you a request to do your biometrics.
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Upon getting the request, go to any of the following places to do it.
Where to do Biometrics for Australian visa in South Africa?
To do your biometrics for an Australian visa in South Africa, go to one of the Australian government-approved biometric collection centres
You can find these centres in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town.
I submitted mine in Johannesburg and the whole process was fast.
According to the Australian government, collecting your biometrics increases the security of Australia’s visa application process.
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The authorities use your biometric to identify you and, minimize the risk of identity fraud.
Now, here’s something interesting I discovered: the Australian government doesn’t collect your biometrics directly.
Instead, they work with Service Delivery Partners who do it for them.
So, here’s how it works: You submit your biometrics to these Service Delivery Partners and they deliver your biometrics to the Australian authorities.
In general, once you submit your visa application online or by post, the Australian authorities will let you know if they need your biometrics.
If you get their notification – telling you to do your biometrics –Â you’ll then go to the nearest ABCC where these “Service Delivery Partners” are and do it.
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But here’s a tip: You can’t just walk into any ABCC and meet the Service Delivery Partners there to do your biometrics, no.
You have to book an appointment with the Service Delivery Partners – through their website – before you go and meet them at the ABCC to do your biometrics.
How you can do your biometrics at an Australian Government-authorized Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC)
If you’re ready to do your biometric, below is what you should do.
First, choose an Australian government-authorized Service Delivery Partner to do your biometrics with.
There are two of them, and you can pick one.
They are:
- TLScontact
- VFS Global
Among these two partners, TLScontact is the best option from my experience.
To do your biometric with any of the two partners, go to the partner’s website and book a biometric appointment.
How to do your biometric through TLScontact
If you want to use TLScontact for your biometrics, click here.
You’ll be taken to the biometric appointment booking page.
On the appointment booking page:
- Choose a location for your biometric. TLScontact has centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth. Select the one near you.
- Register an account. If you already have one, log in to your account.
- Put your application information.
- Choose other details of your booking.
- Select a date and time for your biometric from the available dates.
- Confirm your appointment
- Pay the biometric fee and submit your request.
Once you submit the appointment booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email from TSLcontact.
Address of TL contact’s Australian Biometrics Collection Centres in South Africa
| Centre | Address | Work hours |
| Pretoria | 1st Floor, Menlyn Corner, Growth Point building, Corner of Lois/Atterbury Road, (Opposite to Menlyn Park Shopping Centre) Menlyn, Pretoria, South Africa | Standard work hours: 08:30 to 15:30
Prime Time Appointments: 08:00 to 08:30 |
| Johannesburg | 2nd – 3rd Floor, 24 Central Building, Gwen Lane and Fredman Drive, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa | Standard work hours: 08:30 to 15:30
Prime Time Appointments: 08:00 to 08:30 |
| Durban | 430 Peter Mokaba Ridge, 3rd Floor, The Atrium, Durban, South Africa | Standard work hours: 08:30 to 15:30
Prime Time Appointments: 08:00 to 08:30 |
| Port Elizabeth | Ground Floor Building 66, Fairview Office Park, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth, South Africa | Standard work hours: 08:30 to 15:30
Prime Time Appointments: 08:00 to 08:30 |
| Cape Town | Upper Ground Floor, Media Quarter Building, Corner of De Smit Street and Somerset Road, De Waterkant, Cape Town, South Africa | Standard work hours: 08:30 to 15:30
Prime Time Appointments: 08:00 to 08:30 |
For further information about TLScontact, visit the TLScontact website here.
How to do your biometric through VFS Global Centers
VFS Global is another trusted service delivery partner, that the Australian government works with for visa applicant’s biometric collection in South Africa.
If you want to use them for your biometrics, visit their website here, and log in or create an account if you don’t have one.
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With your account, you can log in and book your biometric appointment with VFS Global.
Just like TLScontact, VFS Global have centres in different places in South Africa.
When booking your appointment, pick a centre near you.
Address of VFS Global’s Australian Biometrics Collection Centres in South Africa
| Centre | Address | Work hours |
| Cape Town | 8th Floor 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa | Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00 |
| Durban | 101 Problem Mkhize Rd, Essenwood, Berea, 4001, South Africa | Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00 |
| Johannesburg | 2nd floor, Harrow Court 1, Isle of Houghton Office Park, Boundary Rd, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa | Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00 |
| Pretoria | 1st Floor, Brooklyn Pavilion, 217 Bronkhorst St, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa | Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00 |
If I want to do my biometrics and I live in Cape Town, I’d prefer to use TLScontact and I’ll do it in their Cape Town centre.
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However, if I want to use VFS Global Centre, I’ll look for their nearest centre.
Whether you choose to use VFS Global or TLS contact for your biometric capturing, book an appointment before going to their centre.
Aside from doing the biometrics, these partners (TLScontact and VFS Global) also help with other aspects of your visa application.
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If you’ve questions about any part of the visa application, contact the Australian high common in South Africa.
Contact details of the Australian High Common in South Africa
Here’s their address in Pretoria:
- Street address: 292 Orient Street (Corner Francis Baard Street) Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083 South Africa
Aside from visiting them, you can call their Global Service Centre (GSC).
They’re available Monday to Friday, however, Monday is not the best day to call because they’re always busy on Mondays.
Here are the contact numbers you’ll need:
- In Australia: 131 881
- In South Africa: +61 2 6196 0196
Lastly, you can visit the Australian Embassy’s website in South Africa.
They’ve useful resources that can help you a lot. Check them out at http://www.southafrica.embassy.gov.au.
What should I bring for my biometrics appointment?
On your biometric appointment date, bring your consent form, proof of payment of the biometric collection charge, biometric request letter, and any other document required by the Australian authorities.
What do they do when they take your biometrics?
They use your biometrics to identify you, protect the Australian immigration system against identity fraud and increase travel safety to Australia.
Once done, your biometrics will be stored by the authorities and will be used to identify you when you enter Australia.
Cost of biometrics for an Australian in South Africa
Biometrics for an Australian visa is free, however, you need to pay a token (usually around 811 ZAR ) to the Service Delivery Partner you’re using to do your biometrics.
Can you go to VFS in South Africa without an appointment?
No, you must book an appointment before visiting VFS in South Africa for your biometrics.
If you don’t book an appointment, you’ll not be attended to by the staff.
How long does it take for a South African to get an Australian visa?
If you submit a complete application, it takes between 4 weeks to 8 weeks for a South African to get an Australian visa.
Final words
If you’re applying for an Australian visa from South Africa, you can get your biometrics done at the Australian Biometrics Collection Centre through their Service Delivery Partners.
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They’ve offices in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Port Elizabeth.
Before going for your biometrics, book an appointment, otherwise, you won’t be attended to.
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