Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027 for Matric Applicants

Who can apply

• The academic requirement stated for the advertised posts is: National Senior Certificate (Matric).
• The introductory directions to the programme also describe eligible applicants as unemployed youth who have obtained Grade 12 or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification.
• This makes the programme particularly important for young job seekers who have completed Matric but may not yet have a university degree or diploma.
• Applicants should, however, read the complete official advertisement before applying and make sure they satisfy all applicable conditions.
• Applicants who hold foreign qualifications are required to submit the evaluated results of those qualifications as received from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• Prospective applicants who want to better understand South African qualifications can also use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.
• The Edupstairs platform currently brings together thousands of SAQA qualification records alongside South African OFO careers, allowing users to investigate NQF levels, qualifications and career-to-qualification connections.
• Not every unemployed young person will qualify.
• The Department specifically states that applicants who have previously participated in a Public Service Youth Development Programme, as outlined in the relevant Directive on the Employment of Persons in Developmental Programmes in the Public Service, will not be eligible for consideration.
• The restriction also applies to applicants currently receiving financial assistance from government for a youth development programme.
• Applicants should take this condition seriously when deciding whether they are eligible.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Department Home Affairs Cadet - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

The South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is inviting unemployed young people with Grade 12 (Matric) or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification to apply for its Cadet Learnership Programme for 2026/2027.

This is a major opportunity for young South Africans who want to gain practical workplace experience within the Department of Home Affairs while completing structured theoretical and practical learning.

The programme will run for 12 months, and successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend of R4,500.

Applications close on 18 September 2026 at 16:00.

The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA) and will expose successful learners to the core business of the Department of Home Affairs, particularly Immigration Services.

Quick Overview

Programme: Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027 Employer: Department of Home Affairs Programme type: 12-month learnership SETA partner: PSETA Qualification required: National Senior Certificate (Matric) / NQF Level 4 equivalent Stipend: R4,500 per month Field: Immigration Services Target group: Unemployed youth Locations: All nine provinces Closing date: 18 September 2026 Closing time: 16:00

What Is the Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme?

The Cadet Learnership Programme is a Youth Development Empowerment initiative intended to give unemployed young South Africans an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and practical workplace experience.

According to the official Department of Home Affairs advert, the programme supports the National Development Plan’s objective of developing formalised recruitment schemes through theoretical training and experiential learning.

Participants will undertake both theoretical and practical components focused on the National Certificate: Immigration Services.

This is particularly important because successful learners will not simply be placed in an office for general work experience. They will receive exposure to the Immigration Services functions of the Department of Home Affairs.

Who Can Apply?

The academic requirement stated for the advertised posts is: National Senior Certificate (Matric).

The introductory directions to the programme also describe eligible applicants as unemployed youth who have obtained Grade 12 or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification.

This makes the programme particularly important for young job seekers who have completed Matric but may not yet have a university degree or diploma.

Applicants should, however, read the complete official advertisement before applying and make sure they satisfy all applicable conditions.

Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Locations

Opportunities are advertised across all nine provinces.

Gauteng

Post: 32/114 Advert heading: Gauteng - X5 Posts Stipend: R4,500 per month

Locations listed in the advert:

• Krugersdorp - Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1a - X1
• Benoni - Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1b - X2
• Cresta - Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1c - X1
• Sedibeng - Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1d - X1
• Mamelodi - Ref No: HRMC 58/26/1e - X2

Gauteng applications: [email protected]

Eastern Cape - X6 Posts

Post: 32/115 Stipend: R4,500 per month

• King Williams Town - HRMC 58/26/2a - X1
• Gqeberha - HRMC 58/26/2b - X1
• Libode - HRMC 58/26/2c - X1
• Queenstown - HRMC 58/26/2d - X1
• East London - HRMC 58/26/2e - X1
• Port St John - HRMC 58/26/2f - X1

Eastern Cape applications: [email protected]

North West - X5 Posts

Post: 32/116 Stipend: R4,500 per month

• Klerksdorp - HRMC 58/26/3a - X4
• Mankwe - HRMC 58/26/3b - X1

North West applications: [email protected]

Northern Cape - X4 Posts

Post: 32/117 Stipend: R4,500 per month

• Kimberley - HRMC 58/26/4a - X2
• Galeshewe - HRMC 58/26/4b - X2

Northern Cape applications: [email protected]

Mpumalanga - X6 Posts

Post: 32/118 Stipend: R4,500 per month

• Witbank - HRMC 58/26/5a - X1
• Kwa-Mhlanga - HRMC 58/26/5b - X1
• Eerstehoek - HRMC 58/26/5c - X1
• Standerton - HRMC 58/26/5d - X1
• Nelspruit/Mbombela - HRMC 58/26/5e - X1
• White River - HRMC 58/26/5f - X1

Mpumalanga applications: [email protected]

Free State - X5 Posts

Post: 32/119 Stipend: R4,500 per month

The advert lists:

• Bloemfontein - HRMC 58/26/6a - X2
• Phuthaditjhaba - HRMC 58/26/6b - X1
• Ref No: HRMC 58/26/6c - X1
• Bethlehem - HRMC 58/26/6d - X1

Applicants should note that the extracted official advert does not display a centre name alongside Ref No. HRMC 58/26/6c. Edupstairs has therefore not inserted or guessed a location.

Free State applications: [email protected]

Western Cape - X6 Posts

Post: 32/120 Stipend: R4,500 per month

• Wynberg - HRMC 58/26/7a - X3
• Khayelitsha - HRMC 58/26/7b - X1
• Vredendal - HRMC 58/26/7c - X1
• George - HRMC 58/26/7d - X1

Western Cape applications: [email protected]

KwaZulu-Natal - X6 Posts

Post: 32/121 Stipend: R4,500 per month

• Ixopo - HRMC 58/26/8a - X1
• New Hanover - HRMC 58/26/8b - X1
• Eshowe - HRMC 58/26/8c - X1
• Estcourt - HRMC 58/26/8d - X1
• Umgeni - HRMC 58/26/8e - X1
• Richards Bay - HRMC 58/26/8f - X1

KwaZulu-Natal applications: [email protected]

Limpopo - X5 Posts

Post: 32/122 Stipend: R4,500 per month

• Polokwane - HRMC 58/26/9a - X1
• Giyani - HRMC 58/26/9b - X1
• Jane Furse - HRMC 58/26/9c - X1
• Thohoyandou - HRMC 58/26/9d - X1
• Mokopane - HRMC 58/26/9e - X1

Limpopo applications: [email protected]

Preference May Be Given to Applicants Living Near the Office

One particularly important condition in the advert is that preference will be given to young people residing within close proximity of the office where the post is based.

Applicants should therefore seriously consider applying for the centre closest to where they live rather than automatically selecting a major city or another province.

How to Apply for the Home Affairs Cadet Learnership

Applications must be submitted using the application instructions corresponding to the relevant province.

The Department requires:

1. A fully completed New Z83 Application for Employment Form, effective from 1 January 2021.
2. A comprehensive CV.
3. The correct post number/job title and reference number.
4. Employment history on the CV should include start and end dates in dd/mm/yy format, job titles, duties performed and reasons for leaving.
5. Details of at least two contactable employment references, as recent as possible.

Applications may be submitted to the province-specific email address shown above or sent to:

Private Bag X114 Pretoria 0001

Alternatively, applications can be delivered to:

230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street Pretoria 0001

The official instructions state that applications must reach the Department on or before the closing date.

Do You Submit Your ID and Matric Certificate Immediately?

Applicants should follow the advert precisely rather than automatically attaching every document they possess.

The official directions state that shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a copy of their ID document and Grade 12 Certificate.

This distinction matters because government application requirements can differ from one recruitment process to another.

Foreign Qualifications and SAQA

Applicants who hold foreign qualifications are required to submit the evaluated results of those qualifications as received from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Prospective applicants who want to better understand South African qualifications can also use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.

The Edupstairs platform currently brings together thousands of SAQA qualification records alongside South African OFO careers, allowing users to investigate NQF levels, qualifications and career-to-qualification connections.

Learn More About PSETA Through Edupstairs

This Home Affairs programme is offered in collaboration with PSETA, making the public-service skills development pathway particularly relevant to applicants.

The Edupstairs SETA Platform allows young people to explore all 21 South African SETAs and compare learnerships, skills programmes, apprenticeships, qualifications, WIL opportunities and other learning pathways.

More specifically, applicants interested in public-service careers can explore the PSETA Learnerships guide on Edupstairs.

PSETA covers areas connected to national and provincial government, public entities, public administration, management, governance, policy, monitoring, office administration and digital government. The Edupstairs SETA Platform currently includes a dedicated PSETA catalogue and eligibility guidance.

This is useful beyond the current Home Affairs intake because applicants who are not selected can continue exploring other public-sector learning pathways.

Need Help Completing the Z83?

The Z83 is an important part of this application.

Applicants who have never completed one - or who are unsure whether they have completed it correctly - can consult the Edupstairs guide to completing the Z83 Application Form.

The Z83 is used during the initial government recruitment process to help determine whether an applicant meets the requirements of an advertised opportunity, so applicants should ensure that all applicable sections are completed accurately.

Important Eligibility Restriction

Not every unemployed young person will qualify.

The Department specifically states that applicants who have previously participated in a Public Service Youth Development Programme, as outlined in the relevant Directive on the Employment of Persons in Developmental Programmes in the Public Service, will not be eligible for consideration.

The restriction also applies to applicants currently receiving financial assistance from government for a youth development programme.

Applicants should take this condition seriously when deciding whether they are eligible.

What Happens After You Apply?

The Department warns applicants that a large number of applications are expected.

Applications will therefore not be acknowledged in writing.

A selection process will be used to identify suitable candidates, and only a limited number of applicants will ultimately be selected.

Successful candidates will also be subjected to pre-employment screening and security checks.

Not receiving an acknowledgement immediately after applying should therefore not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that an application was unsuccessful.

Edupstairs Application Guidance

The following points are Edupstairs guidance and are not additional requirements from the Department of Home Affairs.

1. Apply to the Correct Province

Each province has its own recruitment email address.

Sending an application to the wrong provincial email address could create unnecessary problems.

1. Double-Check Your Reference Number

Do not simply write “Home Affairs Learnership” and assume HR will know which centre you want.

For example, someone applying for Richards Bay should make sure the application corresponds with: HRMC 58/26/8f

Someone applying for Polokwane should use: HRMC 58/26/9a

1. Complete the New Z83 Properly

Do not rush the Z83.

Edupstairs’ existing guidance for government applications emphasises correctly completing the applicable sections, checking personal and contact information and ensuring that the position and reference number are correct.

1. Make Your CV Easy to Read

Your CV should clearly show:

• Your contact details
• Matric/NQF Level 4 qualification
• Relevant skills
• Any employment or volunteer experience
• Start and end dates for employment
• Duties performed
• Reasons for leaving where applicable
• Contactable references

Remember that the official Home Affairs instructions specifically request detailed employment dates, duties, exit reasons and at least two contactable employment references.

1. Do Not Wait Until 18 September

The deadline is 18 September 2026 at 16:00.

Prepare and submit your application well before the deadline wherever possible.

1. Keep Proof of Submission

If applying by email, keep your sent email and attachments.

If delivering an application by hand, keep your own copy of the documents submitted.

Why This Learnership Is Worth Considering

For a young person with Matric who has struggled to obtain their first meaningful workplace opportunity, this programme provides a combination of:

• Structured theoretical learning
• Practical workplace experience
• Exposure to Immigration Services
• Public-sector workplace experience
• A 12-month development opportunity
• A monthly stipend of R4,500

It can therefore be more valuable than looking at the stipend alone.

The objective is to help participants gain skills, knowledge and experience that can improve their ability to participate meaningfully in the labour market. However, participation in the learnership should not be interpreted as a guarantee of permanent employment with Home Affairs unless the Department explicitly states otherwise.

Tools you may find useful:

View Other Employment Opportunities here

Need Help?

Edupstairs Advice

The Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027 is an important opportunity for unemployed young South Africans whose highest qualification may currently be Matric.

With positions spread across all nine provinces, a 12-month learning period and a R4,500 monthly stipend, the programme gives successful candidates an opportunity to combine theoretical learning with genuine workplace exposure in Immigration Services.

Competition is likely to be significant.

Applicants should therefore focus on the fundamentals: use the correct Z83, prepare a complete CV, select the correct provincial email address, quote the correct reference number and submit well before 16:00 on 18 September 2026.

Applicants can also use the Edupstairs SETA Platform to explore additional PSETA and other SETA opportunities, and the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to investigate South African careers, qualifications and NQF pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the closing date for the Home Affairs Cadet Learnership 2026/2027?

Applications close on 18 September 2026 at 16:00.

1. How much is the stipend?

Successful learners will receive R4,500 per month.

1. How long is the programme?

The Cadet Learnership runs for 12 months.

1. Can I apply with only Matric?

Yes. The advertised requirement is a National Senior Certificate (Matric), while the general programme notice refers to Grade 12 or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.

1. Do I need a university degree?

No university degree is listed as a requirement for these Cadet Learnership posts.

1. Is the programme available nationwide?

Yes. Positions are advertised across all nine provinces.

1. Which SETA is involved?

The programme is being offered in collaboration with PSETA - the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority.

1. What will cadets study?

The programme contains theoretical and practical components focused on the National Certificate: Immigration Services and provides exposure to the Department’s Immigration Services operations.

1. Do I need a Z83?

Yes. The official advert requires a fully completed New Z83 Application for Employment Form together with a comprehensive CV.

1. Should I apply for the nearest Home Affairs office?

The advert says preference will be given to young people residing in close proximity to the office where the post is based. Applying to an appropriate nearby centre may therefore be important.

1. Can previous Public Service Youth Development Programme participants apply?

The advert states that applicants who previously participated in a Public Service Youth Development Programme covered by the specified public-service directive are not eligible for consideration.

1. Will everyone receive confirmation after applying?

No. Home Affairs says applications will not be acknowledged in writing because a large number of applications are expected.

You can also:

Disclaimer

Edupstairs is not the Department of Home Affairs and does not manage recruitment for this programme. This article is an independent opportunity explainer based on the official Department of Home Affairs advertisement and additional Edupstairs resources researched for applicant guidance.

Applicants should verify information against the official advertisement before submitting an application. Edupstairs does not guarantee selection, placement, a stipend or employment.

Never pay anyone who promises to secure a government learnership or job on your behalf.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 - 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY

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