The short answer
National and provincial government posts are advertised in the DPSA's weekly Public Service Vacancy Circular and on department websites. Apply to the department named in the advert, quoting its reference number, usually with a Z83 form and a CV. If you haven't heard back within about three months of the closing date, take it that you weren't shortlisted.
The public service is one of South Africa's biggest employers, and its posts are filled through a fixed, paper-heavy process. Applications that don't follow it exactly are usually not considered, however good the candidate. This guide covers where posts are advertised, the two ways to apply, and what happens after the closing date.
Where posts are advertised
- The Public Service Vacancy Circular. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) publishes it weekly, except in December. Each issue has annexures, one per department, listing posts with their requirements, salary level, reference number, closing date and how to apply. The circular is free on the DPSA website.
- Departments' own websites, and provincial government sites.
- Municipalities, state-owned companies and public entities (Eskom, Transnet, SARS, the SABC and others) are not part of the public service in the same way. They advertise on their own careers pages and have their own application systems.
The DPSA itself does not process applications. Its circular says not to approach it about posts: send your application to the department named in the advert.
Read the advert to the end
Each annexure starts with the department's general instructions: where to apply, the closing date and time, which documents to include, and notes such as security vetting or pre-entry requirements. Then each post lists its requirements, duties and a contact for enquiries. Note the reference number. Check that you meet the minimum requirements: shortlisting usually starts by removing applicants who don't.
Way 1: the Z83 and a CV
Most posts are still applied for with the Z83 form and a detailed CV, sent by email, through an online form, by post or by hand, as the advert says. Use the current Z83 (effective 1 January 2021), complete every section, and sign it. One Z83 per post. Our goes through it section by section, and your CV should be , with dates for every job.