DPSA Circular 37 of 2026: Matric Government Jobs

DPSA vacancy circular 37 of 2026 was published on 16 October 2026 and includes dozens of entry-level public service posts that ask only for Grade 12 (matric) – and several that ask for Grade 10, ABET or even Grade 8. Most national department posts close on 30 October 2026, while Western Cape Government posts close on 9 November 2026. Entry-level salaries in this circular range from R144 024 a year (Level 2) to R237 453 a year (Level 5).

This guide picks out the posts most useful to matriculants, school leavers and work-seekers without experience, explains where and how to apply, and flags the mistakes that get applications rejected. Always read the full advert in the official circular before you apply – each department sets its own rules.

Key takeaways

Published: 16 October 2026 by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).
Who is hiring: 17 national departments plus the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Western Cape provincial administrations.
Main closing dates: 30 October 2026 for most national and Mpumalanga posts; 9 November 2026 for most Western Cape posts; 6 November 2026 for the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services.
Entry-level pay: Level 2 R144 024, Level 3 R170 226, Level 4 R201 093 and Level 5 R237 453 per year (basic salary, entry notch).
How to apply: a signed new Z83 form plus a detailed CV, sent exactly as the advert says (email, online portal or hand delivery).

What is DPSA vacancy circular 37 of 2026?

The Public Service Vacancy Circular is a weekly bulletin from the DPSA that collects vacancies advertised by government departments. Circular 37 of 2026 carries adverts numbered 37/01 to 37/360 across 22 annexures – from Agriculture (Annexure A) to the Western Cape Provincial Administration (Annexure V). The DPSA only publishes the circular; each department handles its own applications, so questions must go to the contact person listed in the advert, not to the DPSA.

Which posts need only matric and no experience?

These Level 5 posts (R237 453 per year) ask for a Grade 12 certificate and state that no experience is required, or list matric as the only qualification:

Administration Clerk: Losses & Claims – Department of Agriculture, Pretoria (post 37/06). Grade 12, no experience required. Closes 30 October 2026 at 16:00.
Supply Chain Clerk (3 posts) – Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria (post 37/58). Grade 12, no experience required. Closes 30 October 2026 at 16:00.
Registry Clerk (2 posts) – Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria (post 37/59). Grade 12, no experience required. Closes 30 October 2026 at 16:00.
Human Resource Clerk and Secretary – Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria (posts 37/55 and 37/56). Grade 12 or equivalent. Closes 30 October 2026 at 16:00.
Administration Clerk – Office of the Chief Justice, KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, Pietermaritzburg (post 37/68). Grade 12, no experience required; a driver's licence is an advantage. Closes 30 October 2026.
Administration Clerk Production – Department of Water and Sanitation, Gqeberha and Mmabatho (posts 37/130 and 37/131). Senior Certificate/Grade 12 or relevant qualification. Closes 30 October 2026.
Administrative Clerk – Auxiliary Services – Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services, Durban (post 37/48). Grade 12 plus a valid driver's licence. Closes 6 November 2026.
Western Cape Government clerks – several Grade 12 clerk posts at the Department of the Premier, Social Development, the Mobility Department and Police Oversight and Community Safety (for example posts 37/312, 37/323–37/325, 37/337, 37/338, 37/357 and 37/358). Close 9 November 2026.

A few other matric-level posts ask for something extra. The Department of Water and Sanitation's Assistant Technical Officer posts (37/125–37/127, Pretoria, Cradock, Worcester and George) need Grade 12 with Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy or Physical Science and a driver's licence. In Mpumalanga, several Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport clerk posts need Grade 12 plus a Higher Certificate (NQF 5), although they state no experience is required.

Are there government jobs without matric in this circular?

Yes. These posts accept Grade 10, ABET or lower:

Road Worker (7 posts) – Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, in Gert Sibande, Nkangala and Ehlanzeni districts (post 37/265). Grade 10, no work experience. R170 226 per year. Closes 30 October 2026 at 12:00.
Tradesman Aid (6 posts in total) – Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport, Ehlanzeni (posts 37/266 and 37/267). Grade 10, no experience. R170 226 per year. Closes 30 October 2026 at 12:00.
Cleaner (3 posts) – Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport, Steve Tshwete (post 37/269). Grade 10 (ABET), no experience. R144 024 per year. Closes 30 October 2026 at 12:00.
Messenger/Driver – Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport, Ehlanzeni (post 37/263). Grade 10 or Grade 12 with a driver's licence, no experience. R201 093 per year.
General Worker (2 posts) – Department of Water and Sanitation, Worcester and George (post 37/134). ABET certificate. R144 024 per year. Closes 30 October 2026.
Library Aid and Stores Assistant – Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (37/274, Grade 10) and Department of Infrastructure (37/309, Grade 9/NQF 1). R144 024–R169 656 per year. Close 9 November 2026.
Cleaner: Traffic Support Services – Western Cape Mobility Department (post 37/360). ABET. R144 024–R169 656 per year. Closes 9 November 2026.

How much do entry-level government jobs pay?

The circular quotes annual basic salaries on the public service salary levels. For the posts above:

Level 2: R144 024 per year – cleaners, general workers, library aids, stores assistants.
Level 3: R170 226 per year – road workers, tradesman aids, road operators.
Level 4: R201 093 per year – messenger/drivers, receptionists, data capturers.
Level 5: R237 453 per year – administration, registry, HR, finance and supply chain clerks.

Some adverts show a range (for example R237 453–R279 708 for Level 5) because experienced candidates can be appointed on a higher notch. Permanent public service posts usually come with benefits such as a pension fund, medical aid subsidy and housing allowance on top of the basic salary, subject to the rules of the department.

How do you apply for posts in circular 37 of 2026?

Download the circular from the DPSA website and open the annexure for the department you want.
Read the full advert, especially the requirements, the reference number, the "Applications" line and the closing date and time.
Complete the new Z83 form (the version effective from 1 January 2021). Fill in every section and sign it – an unsigned or old Z83 can disqualify you.
Attach a detailed CV with contactable references. Many departments now ask only shortlisted candidates for certified copies of your ID and qualifications – follow the advert.
Submit using the exact method in the advert. For example, the Department of Water and Sanitation accepts online applications only at erecruitment.dws.gov.za; Mpumalanga departments use erecruitment.mpg.gov.za; Western Cape posts are online only via westerncape.gov.za/jobs. Other departments ask for email or hand delivery.
Apply separately for each post and quote the correct reference number every time.

Common mistakes that get applications rejected

Missing the closing time – some Mpumalanga posts close at 12:00, not 16:00, on 30 October 2026.
Using the old Z83 form, leaving sections blank or not signing it.
Sending one application for several posts, or quoting the wrong reference number.
Emailing an application where the advert says online only (Water and Sanitation, Mpumalanga and Western Cape).
Not checking the requirement details – for example a required driver's licence or Mathematics at matric level.

How to avoid government job scams

Government departments never charge a fee to apply, to be shortlisted or to be appointed. Ignore anyone on WhatsApp or social media who promises a post in exchange for money. Read our guide on the SAPS recruitment scam asking for R15 000 to see how these schemes work.

What this means for you

If you have matric but no experience, circular 37 gives you a two-week window for clerk posts in Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg, Gqeberha, Mmabatho and Durban, and a slightly longer one for Western Cape posts. If you do not have matric, the Mpumalanga road worker, tradesman aid and cleaner posts and the Water and Sanitation general worker posts are worth a careful application. Missed earlier editions? See our guides to DPSA vacancy circular 35 of 2026 and circular 34 of 2026, and browse current jobs in South Africa or jobs in Pretoria on Jobsiz.

Frequently asked questions

When was DPSA vacancy circular 37 of 2026 released?

The DPSA issued Public Service Vacancy Circular 37 of 2026 on 16 October 2026.

What is the closing date for circular 37 of 2026?

Closing dates are set by each department. Most national department and Mpumalanga posts close on 30 October 2026, the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services closes on 6 November 2026, and most Western Cape Government posts close on 9 November 2026. Check the time on each advert.

Can I apply for a government job with only matric?

Yes. Circular 37 includes several Level 5 clerk posts, paying R237 453 per year, that ask only for Grade 12 and state that no experience is required.

Which form do I need to apply for a public service job?

You need the new Z83 application form that has been in effect since 1 January 2021, fully completed and signed, plus a detailed CV.

Do I pay to apply for DPSA vacancies?

No. Applying for public service posts is free. Anyone asking for money to secure a government job is running a scam.

Sources

Ready to apply? Polish your CV with the free Jobsiz resume builder before the 30 October deadline.

By the Jobsiz Editorial Team · Updated 19 October 2026

DPSA Circular 37 of 2026: Matric and Entry-Level Government Jobs