The Department of Public Service and Administration has published Public Service Vacancy Circular 25 of 2026, featuring government job opportunities in national departments and provincial administrations across South Africa.
DPSA Circular Publication Date: 17 July 2026
Vacancy Application Closing Dates: Closing dates differ according to the department and advertised position
Vacancy Locations: All provinces, South Africa
DPSA Circular 25 of 2026
The Department of Public Service and Administration has released the latest Public Service Vacancy Circular containing hundreds of pages of national and provincial government job advertisements.
DPSA Circular 25 was issued on 17 July 2026 and includes vacancies in administration, finance, agriculture, education, justice, human resources, public works, healthcare, social development and other government functions.
The circular is 392 pages long and covers positions ranging from entry-level support roles to professional, technical, supervisory and Senior Management Service posts.
Download DPSA Circular 25 of 2026
Applicants can download the complete government vacancy circular below:
Click here to download DPSA Circular 25 of 2026
The PDF should be downloaded and reviewed carefully because every department provides its own qualification requirements, salary, duties, closing date, reference number and application address.
National Departments Advertising Vacancies
DPSA Circular 25 of 2026 includes vacancies from the following national government departments and institutions:
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Correctional Services
- Department of Defence
- Department of Employment and Labour
- Department of Higher Education and Training
- Department of Home Affairs
- Independent Police Investigative Directorate
- Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services
- Department of Land Reform and Rural Development
- National Prosecuting Authority
- Office of the Chief Justice
- Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Department of Public Service and Administration
- Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
- Department of Traditional Affairs
- Department of Transport
- National Treasury
- Department of Water and Sanitation
The national department vacancies appear from pages 5 to 130 of the circular.
Provincial Government Vacancies
The circular also contains vacancies from provincial administrations across South Africa.
The provincial sections include:
- Eastern Cape
- Free State
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Limpopo
- Mpumalanga
- North West
- Western Cape
The Eastern Cape section is the largest provincial section in the circular, appearing from pages 131 to 237. Limpopo vacancies appear from pages 266 to 305, while Mpumalanga opportunities appear from pages 306 to 332.
Applicants should open the section for their preferred province and check the advertised department, employment location and application instructions.
Types of Government Vacancies Available
Public Service Vacancy Circular 25 of 2026 includes opportunities at different qualification and experience levels.
Depending on the department, available positions may include:
- Administration clerks
- Human resource clerks
- Finance clerks
- Secretaries
- Supply chain management officials
- Registry personnel
- Agricultural professionals
- Scientists and researchers
- Inspectors
- Legal and prosecutorial professionals
- Correctional services personnel
- Court and justice officials
- Technical employees
- Project managers
- Deputy directors
- Directors
- Senior managers
Applicants should not assume that every position requires a university qualification. Some entry-level posts may require Grade 12, while professional and management posts normally require diplomas, degrees, professional registration or relevant experience.
Important SAPS Vacancy Amendments
Circular 25 contains amendments to several South African Police Service vacancies that were initially advertised in Public Service Vacancy Circular 23 of 2026.
The amendments state that no experience is required for several advertised positions, including:
- Human Resource Clerk: 11 posts
- Administration Clerk: 24 posts
- Secretary: Five posts
- Financial Clerk: Three posts
- Supply Chain Clerk: Two posts
The closing date for these amended SAPS positions was extended to 31 July 2026.
The circular also amended 16 Mpumalanga SAPS Administration Clerk posts by confirming that no experience is required and extending the closing date to 31 July 2026.
Free State Human Settlements Internships Withdrawn
Applicants should note that the Free State Department of Human Settlements withdrew 37 graduate internship positions previously published in Circular 23 of 2026.
The department indicated that possible errors had been identified in the advertisement and that the information needed to be corrected before the internships could be advertised again. Applicants should therefore not submit applications for those withdrawn positions based on the earlier circular.
General Requirements
Requirements differ for every position, but applicants may be expected to have one or more of the following:
- Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification
- A National Diploma
- A bachelor’s degree
- An Advanced Diploma
- A postgraduate qualification
- Relevant professional registration
- A valid driver’s licence
- Relevant working experience
- Computer literacy
- Knowledge of government legislation and policies
Applicants must read the requirements for the specific post carefully before applying.
Do not apply for a position when you do not possess the minimum qualification stated in the advertisement.
Documents Required for DPSA Applications
The general DPSA instructions require applicants to submit:
- A completed and signed Z83 application form
- A detailed and updated CV
- The correct vacancy reference number
- Any documents specifically requested by the advertising department
The new Z83 form that became effective on 1 January 2021 must be used. Applications must be sent directly to the department advertising the vacancy, not to the DPSA.
Some departments only request the Z83 form and CV at the initial application stage. Certified copies of qualifications and identity documents may then be requested from shortlisted candidates.
However, applicants must follow the instructions in the specific advertisement because document requirements differ between departments.
Download the New Z83 Application Form
Applicants applying manually or by email may be required to complete the official Z83 form.
Click here to download the new Z83 application form
The form should be completed fully, signed and dated where required.
How to Complete the Z83 Form
Applicants should provide accurate information in all applicable sections of the form, including:
- The department where the position is advertised
- The position title
- The vacancy reference number
- Personal information
- Contact details
- Language proficiency
- Qualifications
- Employment history
- References
- Criminal or disciplinary information
- Signature and date
The information on the Z83 form must correspond with the information contained in the applicant’s CV.
How to Apply for DPSA Circular 25 of 2026 Vacancies
Click here to view and apply for vacancies listed in DPSA Circular 25 of 2026
Follow these steps when applying:
- Download and open the complete circular.
- Use the index to locate the relevant national department or province.
- Find a vacancy matching your qualifications and experience.
- Record the job title, reference number and closing date.
- Read the department’s application instructions.
- Complete the new Z83 application form.
- Prepare an updated CV.
- Attach any documents requested in the advertisement.
- Submit the application to the address or email provided by the advertising department.
- Apply before the specified closing date.
Each vacancy requires a separate application unless the department states otherwise.
Where to Submit Applications
Applications must be sent to the government department where the vacancy exists.
Depending on the advertisement, applications may be submitted through:
- The national e-Recruitment portal
- A provincial e-Recruitment system
- Hand delivery
- Postal delivery
- An online application portal
The DPSA does not receive applications on behalf of other government departments. Questions about a particular vacancy must also be directed to the contact person listed by the advertising department.
Use the Correct Reference Number
Every application must include the reference number provided in the vacancy advertisement.
Applicants should place the reference number:
- In the relevant section of the Z83 form
- In the email subject line when required
- On the application envelope where requested
- On any additional application documents where necessary
Using the wrong reference number could cause the application to be processed for the wrong position or disqualified.
Application Closing Dates
Closing dates vary according to the department and position.
Many vacancies in Circular 25 close on or around 31 July 2026, but applicants must verify the exact date and time in each advertisement. For example, Department of Agriculture vacancies in the circular close on 31 July 2026 at 16:00.
Some departments may have earlier or later deadlines. Applications received after the specified closing date or time are generally not considered.
Can Applicants Apply for More Than One Position?
Applicants may apply for more than one suitable vacancy.
However, they must submit a separate application for every position. Each application should contain the correct:
- Position title
- Department
- Reference number
- Z83 form
- Supporting documents
Applicants should not combine several unrelated vacancies into one application unless the department expressly permits it.
Senior Management Service Applications
Applicants applying for Senior Management Service positions may be required to complete the National School of Government’s Senior Management Service pre-entry programme.
Senior management candidates may also undergo:
- Technical assessments
- Competency assessments
- Psychometric assessments
- Integrity assessments
- Security vetting
- Financial-interest disclosure
- Reference checks
The specific conditions are explained in each department’s advertisement.
Verification and Security Checks
Shortlisted or successful applicants may be subjected to:
- Identity verification
- Citizenship verification
- Qualification verification
- Criminal-record checks
- Employment-reference checks
- Security vetting
- Financial or credit checks
- Professional-registration verification
- Social-media screening where applicable
Applicants must provide truthful and verifiable information. False qualifications or fraudulent documents may result in disqualification and possible criminal action.
Important Advice for Applicants
Before submitting an application:
- Confirm that you meet every minimum requirement.
- Use the latest Z83 form.
- Include the correct reference number.
- Follow the department’s preferred application method.
- Make sure the CV is accurate and updated.
- Do not send applications to the DPSA unless the position is within the DPSA itself.
- Check whether applications must be emailed, delivered or submitted online.
- Submit the application before the closing time.
- Retain proof of submission.
Government departments generally communicate only with shortlisted candidates.
About the DPSA Vacancy Circular
The Public Service Vacancy Circular is normally published weekly, except during December, and contains advertised vacancies from government departments.
Although the circular is issued by the Department of Public Service and Administration, each advertising department remains responsible for its own vacancies, requirements, recruitment process and enquiries.