South Africa is a breathtakingly beautiful country with a culturally diverse people and a wide variety of activities and attractions and opportunities in a wide variety of public and private health care facilities as well as excellent training facilities.

As an overseas trained doctor, Direct Medics can provide you with helpful information in assisting you and your family travel to and settle in South Africa.

Direct Medics offers a detailed Welcome Pack for all overseas doctors who are successful in gaining a position in Australia which will aid you in making a new life abroad.

Facts about South Africa

Land area: 1.22 million km2
Population: 49.3 million
Official Languages: Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Currency: Rand (ZAR)
Time: GMT +2

South Africa is divided into 9 provinces:

The Eastern Cape
The Free State
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal
Limpopo
Mpumalanga
The Northern Cape
North West
The Western Cape

Bringing your Family

In this section, you will find an array of topics designed to help you settle in South Africa and important information for you and your family.


Housing

Finding appropriate housing, whether renting or buying, in South Africa will be a relatively easy process depending on where you are looking to live. If you are staying only short term you may be better off renting.

Many estate agents offer short-term rentals, and are also advertised in South African newspapers and magazines. If an estate agent is handling the transaction, he will usually draw up a lease for you to sign (and might ask you for credit references and/or proof of income).

Rental costs vary considerably according to the size and location and most properties are negotiable. South Africa has an abundance of self-catering accommodation for short-term rental and builders and developers may rent properties to potential buyers.

South Africa encourages foreign investment and there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in South Africa a non-resident buying a property may borrow up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the purchase price. The legal system, based on English law, is well regulated and extremely straightforward.


Education

In South Africa, public and private schools vary according to character, size, quality of education, and financial advantages. Most of the schools are supported by the state, but private schooling is also widely common.

South Africa follows the three-tier model which includes primary, secondary and tertiary education. South Africa has a vibrant higher education sector and all the universities are autonomous, reporting to their own councils rather than government.

Applications for international and postgraduate students are welcomed by individual universities with over a quarter of all doctoral graduates in South Africa from foreign countries.


Taxation & Finance

Employees’ tax is deducted at source through pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) and paid by employers the tax to the authorities monthly.

As a non-resident of South Africa (i.e. staying in South Africa for less than 183 days in the tax year), you pay tax on income you receive from sources in South Africa. The type of tax you pay and the requirement to file an income tax return depend on the type of income you receive.

Most banks provide online Internet Banking and a facility to transfer funds between overseas bank accounts but you should see each bank’s website for details.

You can open an account using a passport and your address in South Africa – a utility bill usually suffices.


Family Healthcare

If you’re treated at a state hospital in South Africa and are a non-resident, you must pay charges although by Western standards costs are often low for consultation, medicine and in some cases tests.

Private hospitals and clinics are a much better choice for those who can afford them and all visitors, temporary residents and permanent residents in South Africa are strongly recommended to have comprehensive medical insurance to pay for private healthcare.

When buying private health insurance, make sure that it covers all your family’s present and future health requirements. When comparing policies, carefully check the extent of cover and exactly what’s included and excluded from a policy in addition to premiums and excess charges.


Family Support

There are numerous online resources that families can explore for further help or information. These include: 

Government of South Africa Website – Includes helpful sections on department and agencies, financial benefits and current legislation. 

South Africa Social Security Agency - Information and useful links

112 is South Africa’s primary emergency call service number. It should be used to contact Police, Fire or Ambulance services in life threatening or time critical emergency situations.


English Language Training

There are many sources of English language training for your family members who may be migrating to South Africa.

This website lists all available English language schools available in South Africa.

According to the 2001 census, isZulu is the mother tongue of 23.8% of South Africa's population, followed by isiXhosa at 17.6%, Afrikaans at 13.3%, Sepedi at 9.4%, and English and Setswana each at 8.2% so you may want to undertake a course in one of South Africa's 11 official languages.


Employment for Family Members

It is highly recommended that you check with South African Department of Home Affairs regarding the type of entry visa your family members require so that they have the right to work as they may need to apply for a different kind of visa in their own name.

If your family are interested in volunteering, the there are several websites enabling you to search for volunteer centres and jobs including Volunteer Abroad and All Africa Volunteers amongst many.

Travelling

You will no doubt want to travel the country and visit some of the amazing places South Africa has to offer. The following is some useful travel information and advice on places to visit.


Travel Information

South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road and the maximum speed limit on the open road is 100 km/h, with 60 km/h the common limit in residential areas.

Any valid driver’s licence is accepted provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed in English.

South Africa has a modern and well developed transport infrastructure and with the 2010 Fifa World Cup, billions have been spent on improving and extending the transport infrastructure in nine host cities.

South Africa has an extensive rail network, the 10th longest in the world, and an 80km rapid rail network is currently being completed that will connect Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport.

South African Airways, South Africa's national carrier, serves over 700 cities, including 20 destinations in Africa.


Places to Visit

There is an abundance of exciting destinations, places and icons to visit in South Africa from a safari in Kruger National Park to the stunning coastal towns of Cape Town and Durban. With bays, cliffs, beaches and towns, stretching hundreds of kilometres from Heidelberg in the west to the Tsitsikamma Forest in the East there, the magic and mystery of Africa is everywhere.

There are numerous tourism sites available online but a good place to start is the official South African tourism website which has information about the country, things to do and places to visit.