Australia: Biometric Data Capturing for Visa Applicants

Australia: Biometric data capturing for visa applicants effective 8 June 2016

The Australian Government has announced the collection of biometrics (ten-digit fingerprint scan and digital facial photograph) in South Africa with effect from 8 June 2016.

Biometric data collected from visa applicants will be stored on secure databases in Australia and will be held strictly in accordance with Australian legislation, including the Migration Act 1958 and the Privacy Act 1988.  This will ensure the security and privacy of any biometric data collected in South Africa from applicants for visas to Australia.

Biometrics will be collected from visa applicants, irrespective of their nationality, who are in South Africa at the time of making a visa application to enter Australia, unless they are excluded or exempted from doing to under Australian Government policy.  Serving government ministers and government officials travelling to Australia in the course of acting as a representative of the South African Government will be exempt from providing biometrics.

Visa applicants who are required to provide their biometrics will need to do so by attending one of the Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) operated by the Australian Service Delivery Partner (SDP), Teleperformance, in Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria or Cape Town.  An AVAC service fee will be charged to visa applicants by the service provider which will incorporate the cost of biometric collection and application lodgement which is in line with equitable international standards.

For information regarding the introduction of biometrics, please contact the Australian High Commission.

An official announcement on the Australian High Commission website, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website and the SDP website will be made in the week prior to 8 June 2016.