Travel adapter from South Africa to Australia — do you need one?

Q: What plug is used in Australia?

Australia uses Type I plugs at 230 V, 50 Hz.

Compare the plug shapes, voltage and frequency in South Africa and Australia, and find out which adapter you need before you travel.

Adapter required

Yes — coming from South Africa, you will need a travel adapter for Australia. South Africa uses Type C/Type M/Type N plugs, and Australia uses Type I, so the pin shapes will not fit any wall socket.

South Africa (home)

Type C Two round pins (Europlug) 220–240V Type M Three large round pins 220–240V Type N Two round pins + round ground 127–230V

Australia (destination)

Type I Two or three flat angled pins 220–240V

Electrical specifications in Australia

Voltage

South Africa 230 V

Australia 230 V

Match

Frequency

South Africa 50 Hz

Australia 50 Hz

Match

More about plugs in Australia

In Australia, the standard power plug is Type I. The country runs on 230 volts at 50 Hz. That means every wall socket in Australia is the same shape — Type I, and your plug needs to physically match the socket to fit.

Full Australia plug guide