How to Fill In the Z83 Form (2026 Guide)

Quick answer: To fill in the Z83 form, download the new Z83 (effective 1 January 2021) from the DPSA website, complete every field in Sections A, B, C and D, write the exact post title and reference number from the advert, answer the re-appointment question in Section F, then sign the declaration and initial both pages. For Sections E, F and G many departments accept "refer to CV" as long as you attach a detailed CV. Submit one separate Z83 for every post you apply for.

The Z83 is the official "Application for Employment" form used across the South African public service. Almost every advert in the weekly DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular asks for it, and the most common reason a government application never reaches shortlisting is a simple one: an incomplete, unsigned or outdated Z83. This guide walks through the form section by section in plain language.

What is the Z83 form and which version should you use?

The Z83 (form number 81/971431) is the standard application form for any advertised post in a national or provincial government department. Its purpose, as printed on the form itself, is to help a department select a person for an advertised post and to identify candidates for interviews.

Use only the new Z83. The current version is marked "Effective 01 January 2021" in its top corner. DPSA's Circular 37 of 2026 repeats the instruction that applicants must use the new form, and several departments state that applications on the old Z83 will not be considered.
Where to get it: download the editable PDF from the DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular page, or ask any government department for a copy.
Online systems: some departments (for example Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and some national departments) use an online e-recruitment system with a digital Z83. If an advert gives a link, apply through that link exactly as instructed.

How to fill in the Z83 form: section by section

Section A: The advertised post

Position applied for: copy the post title exactly as it appears in the advert.
Department: the department that advertised the post, not DPSA (DPSA only publishes the circular).
Reference number: copy it exactly from the advert. Many adverts warn that applications without the correct reference number will not be considered.
Start date / notice period: state when you can start, for example "Immediately" or "One month's notice".

Section B: Personal information

Your surname and full names, date of birth and ID number must match your ID document exactly. Non-South Africans give a passport number and state whether they hold a valid work permit.
Race and gender are collected so the department can comply with the Employment Equity Act. Tick the boxes; do not leave them blank.
Answer every Yes/No question: disability, citizenship, criminal convictions (including admission of guilt fines), pending criminal or disciplinary cases, dismissal from the public service, resigning while a disciplinary process was pending, ill-health discharge, and doing business with the State.
Be honest. The form notes that a criminal record is weighed against the nature of the job, so a "Yes" is not an automatic rejection. A false "No", however, can disqualify you or lead to disciplinary action later, according to the declaration you sign.
Fill in your total years of experience in the private and public sectors, and any professional registration (for example SANC for nurses or ECSA for engineers) with the date and registration number.

Section C: Contact details

Choose your preferred language and how the department should contact you (post, e-mail, fax or telephone).
Give a working cellphone number and an e-mail address you check daily. Shortlisting and interview invitations are often sent at short notice.

Section D: Language proficiency

List the South African official languages you know and rate your speaking and reading/writing ability as "good", "fair" or "poor".

Section E: Formal qualifications

List qualifications from highest to lowest: institution, qualification name and year obtained, plus any current studies.
Many departments accept "refer to CV" here, but writing at least your highest qualification on the form is the safer choice.

Section F: Work experience

List employers, posts held, dates (MM/YY) and reasons for leaving, or write "see attached CV" where the advert allows it.
Do not skip the re-appointment question. Even when you refer to your CV, you must still answer whether any condition prevents your re-appointment in the public service. Departments in Circular 37 of 2026 specifically say this question must be answered.

Section G: References

Give the name, relationship and office-hours phone number of your referees. Many adverts ask for at least two or three contactable references, often including a current or previous supervisor.

Declaration, signature and initials

Sign and date the declaration at the end of page 2.
Initial the bottom of page 1 and page 2.
The form itself warns that failure to sign may lead to disqualification, and many adverts state that an unsigned or uninitialled Z83 will be disqualified.

What documents to attach with the Z83

A detailed CV with your duties per job, dates and contactable references. Some departments set a page limit (for example five pages), so check the advert. Need help? See our CV format guide.
Certified copies only if the advert asks. Most departments now ask only shortlisted candidates to bring certified copies of their ID and qualifications on or before the interview day. If an advert still asks for copies with the application, follow that advert.
Certification age: the Z83 notes that departments must accept certified copies that are up to six months old, unless the advert allows a longer period.
Foreign qualifications need a SAQA evaluation report.

How to submit your Z83 application

Read the full advert, including the "Note" section, because each department sets its own rules.
Complete a separate Z83 for each post. Several departments state that one application covering more than one post will not be accepted.
Apply using the method in the advert: online link, e-mail, post or hand delivery. For e-mail, many departments want the Z83 and CV combined in one PDF, often with a size limit (one department in Circular 37 of 2026 allows up to 10 MB).
Name your file clearly, for example with your surname, initials and the reference number.
Submit well before the closing date and time. Departments state they are not responsible for server delays, and late applications are not considered.
Keep a copy and note the reference number and closing date. If you hear nothing within the period stated in the advert (commonly three or six months), treat the application as unsuccessful.

Common Z83 mistakes that get applications rejected

Using the old (pre-2021) Z83.
Leaving any field in Sections A to D blank.
Missing or wrong reference number.
Not signing the declaration or not initialling both pages.
Writing "see CV" in Section F without answering the re-appointment question.
Sending one Z83 for several posts.
Applying after the closing time, or by a method the advert does not allow.

Where to find government jobs to apply for

New public-service posts are published every Friday (except in December) in the DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular. Circular 38 of 2026 is scheduled for 23 October 2026 and Circular 39 for 30 October 2026, according to DPSA's 2026 year programme. For a recent example of entry-level posts, read our breakdown of DPSA Circular 37 of 2026 matric jobs, and see government internships in South Africa for 2026/2027. You can also browse current jobs in South Africa on Jobsiz.

FAQs about the Z83 form

Can I type my Z83 form instead of handwriting it?

Yes. DPSA provides the Z83 as an editable PDF, so you can type your answers. You must still sign the declaration and initial both pages before you submit it.

Do I need certified copies when I submit the Z83?

Usually not. Most adverts in the current circulars ask for only the Z83 and a detailed CV, with certified copies requested from shortlisted candidates. Always check the specific advert, because a few departments still have their own requirements.

Can I write "see CV" on the Z83?

Only in Sections E, F and G, and only where the department allows it. Sections A, B, C and D must be completed in full, and the re-appointment question in Section F must still be answered.

Can I use one Z83 for more than one post?

No. Submit a separate, fully completed Z83 for each post, quoting that post's reference number.

Is the Z83 used for municipal jobs?

The Z83 is the public-service form for national and provincial departments. Municipalities and state-owned companies often use their own application forms or online portals, so follow the instructions in their adverts.

Sources

Ready to apply? Download the new Z83, complete it using the checklist above, and browse the latest South African vacancies on Jobsiz.

By the Jobsiz Editorial Team · Updated 23 October 2026

How to Fill In the Z83 Form: Section-by-Section Guide (2026)