South African expatriates living in Australia will no longer face year-long delays for essential documents, as the Department of Home Affairs last week launched two dedicated service centres in Sydney and Melbourne that promise to slash processing times from 12 months to just five weeks.
The new centres, which opened as part of the expanded Home Affairs @ Home initiative, represent a major breakthrough for the more than 213 000 South Africans living in Australia – the second-largest South African expat community globally after the United Kingdom.
Addressing a critical need
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the move addresses a longstanding frustration for South Africans abroad who have been forced to endure extensive delays for document processing.
“South Africans living overseas often wait over 12 months for their documents. These new centres will cut that to just five weeks,” Schreiber announced.
The Sydney centre opened on 16 July followed by the Melbourne location launch on 18 July.
Building on UK success
The Australian rollout follows a successful trial programme in the United Kingdom, where similar centres have already proven effective in reducing processing delays for the 245 000 South Africans living there.
The initiative forms part of Home Affairs’ broader modernisation strategy, which aims to phase out the green ID book system by the end of 2029 and establish Smart ID services as the new standard.
Domestically, the department is pursuing an ambitious expansion timeline. Smart ID applications are now available to permanent residents and naturalised citizens, with services set to reach 100 South African bank branches by the end of 2025.
The programme will scale dramatically to 1 000 branches by 2028, creating widespread accessibility for South Africans seeking to upgrade from the outdated green ID book system.
Global rollout on the horizon
Australia marks just the beginning of Home Affairs’ international expansion. The department has outlined plans for services in New Zealand and the UAE later in 2025, followed by France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
North American expansion is scheduled for 2026, with centres planned for the United States and Canada – home to 161 507 and 52 600 South African expats respectively.
Schreiber emphasised the strategic approach of launching services where South African communities are most concentrated.
Beyond Australia, the largest South African expat populations include New Zealand (101 970), while the Netherlands has seen remarkable growth with 31 024 residents – a 52.6% increase over four years.
The centres represent more than just convenience for expats; they are central to South Africa’s digital transformation of identity services. The Smart ID system offers enhanced security features and aligns with international standards, making it easier for South Africans abroad to access services and maintain their connection to home.
