The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has opened applications for its 2026/27 Cadet Learnership Programme, offering 50 paid learnership opportunities to unemployed young South Africans across all nine provinces.
The 12-month programme is aimed at youth who have completed Grade 12 or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification and want to gain practical workplace experience while working towards a recognised qualification.
Successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend of R4,500 for the duration of the 12-month contract and will receive theoretical and practical training towards the National Certificate: Immigration Services.
This makes the opportunity particularly attractive to unemployed matriculants looking for their first experience in the public service, administration, immigration services and government operations.
Applications close at 16h00 on 18 September 2026, and no late applications will be accepted.
Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership 2026/27
The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for a wide range of essential government services, including identity documents, passports, birth certificates, visas and immigration services.
Through its Cadet Learnership Programme, the department provides unemployed youth with an opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and practical experience in a government working environment.
The programme is run in collaboration with the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA)and combines theoretical learning with experiential workplace training.
For young people who have completed Matric but have struggled to find employment because they lack work experience, a structured government learnership can provide an opportunity to develop both qualifications and workplace skills.
The programme is built around the National Certificate: Immigration Services, giving learners exposure to the core business and operational environment of the Department of Home Affairs.
What Does the Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Offer?
Successful learners will participate in a combination of theoretical training and practical workplace experience.
The programme provides exposure to:
- Theoretical training towards the National Certificate: Immigration Services
- Practical workplace experience within the Department of Home Affairs
- Immigration services and related processes
- Client service and interaction
- Document processing
- Public service systems and procedures
- Workplace ethics
- Batho Pele principles
- Record keeping
- Teamwork and communication
- General workplace skills
Learners will also receive a R4,500 monthly stipend throughout the 12-month contract.
The programme therefore gives unemployed youth an opportunity to earn an income while developing skills and gaining experience.
Who Can Apply for the Home Affairs Learnership?
The Cadet Learnership Programme is aimed at unemployed South African youth who meet the qualification and programme requirements.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must currently be unemployed
- Must have a Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate
- An NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification may also qualify
- Must not have previously participated in a Public Service Youth Development Programme
- Must not currently be receiving government financial assistance for another youth development programme
- Preference is given to applicants who live close to the office where the position is based
- Applicants with foreign qualifications must provide a SAQA evaluation
Importantly, the opportunity is designed for unemployed youth and does not require previous work experience as a condition of eligibility.
Home Affairs Learnership Posts Across All Nine Provinces
The 50 positions are distributed across South Africa, with opportunities available in all nine provinces.
The available centres and reference numbers include the following:
Gauteng
- Krugersdorp – HRMC 58/26/1a
- Benoni – HRMC 58/26/1b
- Cresta – HRMC 58/26/1c
- Sedibeng – HRMC 58/26/1d
- Mamelodi – HRMC 58/26/1e
Eastern Cape
- King Williams Town – HRMC 58/26/2a
- Gqeberha – HRMC 58/26/2b
- Libode – HRMC 58/26/2c
- Queenstown – HRMC 58/26/2d
- East London – HRMC 58/26/2e
- Port St John – HRMC 58/26/2f
North West
- Klerksdorp – HRMC 58/26/3a
- Mankwe – HRMC 58/26/3b
Northern Cape
- Kimberley – HRMC 58/26/4a
- Galeshewe – HRMC 58/26/4b
Mpumalanga
- Witbank – HRMC 58/26/5a
- Kwa-Mhlanga – HRMC 58/26/5b
- Eerstehoek – HRMC 58/26/5c
- Standerton – HRMC 58/26/5d
- Nelspruit / Mbombela – HRMC 58/26/5e
- White River – HRMC 58/26/5f
Free State
- Bloemfontein – HRMC 58/26/6a
- Phuthaditjhaba – HRMC 58/26/6b
- The supplied listing also includes HRMC 58/26/6c, although the associated centre is not clearly identified
- Bethlehem – HRMC 58/26/6d
Western Cape
- Wynberg – HRMC 58/26/7a
- Khayelitsha – HRMC 58/26/7b
- Vredendal – HRMC 58/26/7c
- George – HRMC 58/26/7d
KwaZulu-Natal
- Ixopo – HRMC 58/26/8a
- New Hanover – HRMC 58/26/8b
- Eshowe – HRMC 58/26/8c
- Estcourt – HRMC 58/26/8d
- Umgeni – HRMC 58/26/8e
- Richards Bay – HRMC 58/26/8f
Limpopo
- Polokwane – HRMC 58/26/9a
- Giyani – HRMC 58/26/9b
- Jane Furse – HRMC 58/26/9c
- Thohoyandou – HRMC 58/26/9d
- Mokopane – HRMC 58/26/9e
Applicants should make sure they use the correct reference number for their selected centre when completing the application.
Home Affairs Learnership Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the required documents before submitting their applications.
The application requires a new Z83 application form, using the version effective from 1 January 2021.
Candidates should also prepare a comprehensive CV.
The CV should provide sufficient information about the applicant’s background, including:
- Employment history, where applicable
- Start and end dates
- Job titles
- Duties performed
- Reasons for leaving previous positions
- At least two contactable references
Applicants should clearly indicate the post number, job title and centre on the Z83 form.
Certified copies of the applicant’s ID and Grade 12 certificate are required only if the applicant is shortlisted, according to the supplied information.
Applicants with qualifications obtained outside South Africa must provide the required SAQA evaluation.
How to Apply for the Home Affairs Cadet Learnership
Applicants should first obtain the official HRMC 58 of 2026 advert and identify the centre they want to apply for.
The application process involves the following steps:
- Identify the Home Affairs office and reference number applicable to you.
- Download and complete the current Z83 application form.
- Complete the required sections of the Z83 and sign the form.
- Prepare an updated and comprehensive CV.
- Clearly state the relevant reference number, Cadet Learnership Programme and centre.
- Submit the Z83 and CV using the provincial email address specified in the official advert.
- Alternatively, use the postal or hand-delivery method specified in the advert.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Applicants should keep proof of submission because applications will not necessarily receive individual acknowledgement.
Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Salary and Benefits
One of the major attractions of the programme is the monthly stipend.
Successful candidates will receive R4,500 per month for the duration of the 12-month contract.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme duration | 12 months |
| Monthly stipend | R4,500 |
| National Certificate | National Certificate: Immigration Services |
| Medical Aid | Not specified |
| Pension Fund | Not specified |
| Life Insurance | Not specified |
| Disability Cover | Not specified |
| Employee Wellness | Not specified |
| Bonuses | Not specified |
| Paid Leave | Not specified |
| Training | Theoretical and experiential learning |
| Workplace experience | Department of Home Affairs |
The R4,500 amount is a learnership stipend, rather than a permanent employee salary.
Why the Home Affairs Learnership Is Important
For unemployed young South Africans, gaining the first year of workplace experience can be one of the biggest challenges when looking for employment.
Many entry-level vacancies require applicants to have previous experience, creating a difficult cycle for people entering the labour market for the first time.
The Home Affairs Cadet Learnership can help candidates overcome part of this challenge by combining training, a recognised qualification and workplace experience.
After completing the programme, learners will have additional experience to include on their CVs when applying for future opportunities.
They can also continue developing their careers through additional qualifications, internships, learnerships and government vacancies.
Career Opportunities in Public Service
The experience gained through a Home Affairs learnership can introduce young people to the broader public-service environment.
Depending on future vacancies, qualifications and experience, candidates may explore careers in areas such as:
- Immigration services
- Public administration
- Government administration
- Client services
- Records administration
- Compliance
- Human Resources
- Finance
- Supply Chain Management
- Procurement
- Information Technology
- Office administration
- Public-sector management
However, completing the learnership does not guarantee permanent employment with the Department of Home Affairs.
Candidates should view the programme as an opportunity to gain a recognised qualification, practical experience and workplace skills that can strengthen their future applications.
Home Affairs Cadet Learnership 2026 Closing Date
The closing date is:
18 September 2026 at 16h00
No late applications will be accepted.
With the deadline approaching, applicants should avoid waiting until the final day. Candidates need enough time to complete the Z83 correctly, prepare their CV and submit their application using the correct provincial contact details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Home Affairs Cadet Learnership pay?
Successful learners will receive a R4,500 monthly stipend for the duration of the 12-month programme.
What qualification do I need?
Applicants need a Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification.
Do I need previous work experience?
No previous work experience is required according to the supplied programme information.
How long is the learnership?
The Cadet Learnership Programme runs for 12 months.
What qualification will I work towards?
Learners will work towards the National Certificate: Immigration Services.
Are positions available in all provinces?
Yes. Opportunities are listed across all nine South African provinces.
Will I get a permanent job after completing the programme?
No permanent appointment is guaranteed. The learnership provides training, a recognised qualification and workplace experience that may strengthen future applications.
Apply Before 18 September 2026
The Department of Home Affairs Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/27 is an opportunity for unemployed South African youth with Grade 12 or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification to gain practical experience in the public service.
The programme runs for 12 months, pays a R4,500 monthly stipend and provides theoretical and experiential learning towards the National Certificate: Immigration Services.
With 50 opportunities available across all nine provinces, eligible applicants should identify their preferred centre and make sure they use the correct reference number when applying.
The deadline is 18 September 2026 at 16h00.
If you qualify, do not wait until the last day. Prepare your Z83 and CV, check the official advert carefully and submit your application using the correct provincial application method.
You can also continue exploring other government jobs, learnerships, internships, graduate programmes, Matric jobs and youth development opportunities to increase your chances of entering the labour market.
This version is ready for publication and puts the strongest search terms naturally into the headings and body: “Home Affairs Cadet Learnership 2026,” “R4,500 stipend,” “50 posts,” “Grade 12,” “National Certificate: Immigration Services,” and “18 September 2026 closing date.”