The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has officially released Public Service Vacancy Circular 29 of 2026, featuring a wide range of employment opportunities across South African national and provincial government departments. The latest circular was issued on 14 August 2026 and contains vacancies for candidates with different qualifications, skills and levels of professional experience.
DPSA Circular 29 of 2026
Publication: Public Service Vacancy Circular 29 of 2026
Date Issued: 14 August 2026
Issuing Department: Department of Public Service and Administration
Application Form: New Z83 Application Form
Coverage: National and Provincial Government Departments
The DPSA publishes its vacancy circular on a regular basis to advertise vacant posts within government departments. Circular 29 of 2026 follows Circular 28, which was issued on 7 August 2026.
Departments Hiring Through DPSA Circular 29 of 2026
The latest circular contains vacancies from numerous national departments as well as provincial administrations.
National Departments
The national departments included in Circular 29 of 2026 are
- Basic Education
- Correctional Services
- Employment And Labour
- Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
- Government Communications and Information System
- Higher Education and Training
- Land Reform and Rural Development
- Mineral And Petroleum Resources
- National Prosecuting Authority
- Office of the Chief Justice
- Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Public Works and Infrastructure
- Small Business Development
- Treasury
- Water And Sanitation
Provincial Administrations
The circular also contains vacancies from:
The official DPSA index shows that the provincial and national vacancies span hundreds of pages, making the circular particularly useful for job seekers looking for government employment in different provinces.
Examples of Vacancies in Circular 29
Circular 29 includes positions ranging from senior management and professional positions to administrative and specialised government roles. For example, the Department of Basic Education advertises a Chief Director: Education Human Resource Management, Reference Number DBE/62/2026, based in Pretoria. The position carries a salary of R1,554,696 per annum and requires, among other requirements, an NQF Level 7 qualification and five years’ experience at senior managerial level.
The same department also advertises a Director: Psycho-Social Support, Reference Number DBE/63/2026, with a salary of R1,317,384 per annum. Applicants require an NQF Level 7 qualification in areas such as Psychology, Social Work or Health Science, together with relevant managerial and programme experience. The Department of Correctional Services also features several opportunities, including positions connected to Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards. These include Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Community Member positions across several regions. These examples demonstrate the variety of opportunities contained in the latest DPSA vacancy circular.
DPSA Circular 29 of 2026 Closing Dates
Closing dates differ from one department and vacancy to another. Applicants should therefore carefully check the individual advertisement before submitting an application. For example, the Department of Basic Education vacancies included in the circular have a closing date of 28 August 2026, while the Department of Correctional Services advertises certain opportunities with a closing date of 31 August 2026 at 15:45.
Important: Do not assume that all vacancies in DPSA Circular 29 have the same closing date. Always use the closing date stated in the specific vacancy advertisement.
How to Apply for DPSA Circular 29 Vacancies
Applicants must follow the application instructions provided by the department advertising the position. The DPSA states that applications must be submitted using the new Z83 Application Form, which has been effective since 1 January 2021. Applicants must provide details of their training, qualifications, competencies, knowledge and experience, with a detailed CV where required.
Applicants should also:
- Download and complete the latest Z83 application form.
- Clearly indicate the position and reference number being applied for.
- Prepare a detailed and updated CV.
- Check the minimum requirements of the specific vacancy.
- Submit the application to the department using the specified email address, postal address, hand-delivery address or online application system.
- Make sure the application reaches the relevant department before the closing date.
- Keep copies of all documents submitted.
The DPSA specifically advises applicants to direct enquiries about a particular vacancy to the department advertising the position rather than to the DPSA.
Important Z83 Application Requirements
Applicants should pay close attention to the Z83 requirements because failure to follow the prescribed application process may result in disqualification. For example, the Department of Basic Education states that applicants must use the most recently approved Z83 form, complete it in full and sign page 2. Applicants are also instructed to clearly indicate the post and reference number on the form.
The department further states that applicants do not initially need to submit copies of qualifications and other supporting documents. Shortlisted candidates may subsequently be required to provide certified copies and undergo verification and suitability checks.
DPSA Circular 29 of 2026 PDF
The complete DPSA Circular 29 of 2026 is available through the official Department of Public Service and Administration website. The document contains the full job advertisements, requirements, salary information, reference numbers, application instructions, contact details and closing dates.
Applicants can also access the circular through the official DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular page.
Final Thoughts
DPSA Circular 29 of 2026 provides another major collection of South African government employment opportunities, with vacancies available across national departments and seven provincial administrations. Job seekers are encouraged to read the full advertisement for any position carefully before applying. In particular, applicants should verify the qualification requirements, experience, reference number, application method and closing date for each vacancy.
Since government vacancies can have different application procedures, submitting the correct documents to the correct department before the deadline is essential.
