Employment in the public service

Vacancies in national and provincial departments are filled by recruiting serving employees or by inviting applications from those who are not employed in the Public Service. Vacancies in senior positions, i. e. the senior management service, must be advertised nationally for recruitment from within and from outside the Public Service.

As a rule vacancies are advertised in a Public Service Vacancy Circular compiled and issued weekly by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).

The Public Service Vacancy Circular informs public servants about vacancies within the Public Service. Persons who are not Public Service employees but interested in the positions advertised should first establish from the advertising department if they can apply. The contact details of the advertising departments are provided in the Circular.

Some departments such as Defence may ask you to take a medical examination before considering your application.

What you should do

  1. Download and complete Form Z83 (Application for Employment). You can also get the form from any national or provincial department.
  2. Attach your curriculum vitae (CV). The department may also ask you to attach certified copies of your educational qualifications, identity document and other personal documents. Please read the advertisement carefully to see what you should attach.
  3. Submit your completed Z83 form and all the required documents to the address listed in the advertisement.
  4. You may, depending on the approach followed by the relevant department, receive an acknowledgment letter. 

How long does it take

The recruitment and selection process varies among departments, but the aim is to complete the process in the shortest time possible.

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