If you want to work for the South African government – national, provincial, or local municipality – you will almost always need to fill in a Z83 form. I have helped many people apply for government jobs and the biggest mistake they make is using an old Z83 or leaving sections blank. In this post I will explain what the Z83 is, where to get the correct version, and how to fill it in without making errors that get your application thrown away. | Government jobs that require the Z83
First, what is the Z83? It is the official application form for employment in the public service. It was updated in 2021 and again in 2024. If you use a version from 2019 or earlier, your application will not be accepted. I have seen this happen to people who downloaded a form from a random website. So always go to the official Department of Public Service and Administration website (www.dpsa.gov.za) and look for “Z83 Application for Employment”. The form is a PDF file. Download it and save it on your computer.
The Z83 form has seven sections. Section A is personal information – your name, ID number, gender, race (yes, they ask because of employment equity), disability status, and citizenship. Fill everything honestly. Do not lie about your ID or citizenship because they check with Home Affairs.
Section B asks about your qualifications. Here you list your matric certificate, any diplomas, degrees, or short courses. You must include the institution name, the year you completed, and the subject or field of study. If you are still studying, write “in progress”. Do not say you have a degree if you don’t. That is a criminal offense.
Section C is work experience. This is where many people struggle. They write “see attached CV” – that is wrong. You must write your job history in the spaces provided on the form. Even if the space is small, you write the key points. For each job, write the employer name, your job title, dates worked, and main duties. If you have no work experience, write “none” or “volunteer work” if you did any.
Section D asks about other relevant information like driver’s license, language skills, or computer skills. If you have a code 8 or 10 driver’s license, put it there. Also list any software you know (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
Section E is about referees. You need two or three people who know you professionally – not your mother or your friend. They can be a teacher, a previous supervisor, or a pastor if you did church work. Include their names, job titles, phone numbers, and email addresses. Always ask them first before putting their names down.
Section F is a declaration. You sign and date. If you are applying online, you can type your name and the date – that counts as a signature for most departments. But some still want a printed and scanned signature. Read the job ad carefully.
Section G is for the HR office to fill in. You leave it blank.
Now, where do you send the Z83? Most government jobs are advertised on the DPSA circular (published every Friday) and on the websites of individual departments (e.g., Department of Health, Department of Education, SASSA). Each job ad will tell you where to submit – either by email, by hand at a specific address, or through an online portal like e-Recruitment.
One very important thing: The Z83 form must be accompanied by a comprehensive CV. Do not send only the Z83. Also do not send certified copies of your ID and qualifications unless the ad asks for them. Many ads now say “certified copies only required if you are shortlisted”. So wait.
I have seen people get rejected because they used the wrong subject line in the email. The ad will give you a reference number – for example “POST 05/2026”. You must put that reference number in the email subject line exactly as written. If you miss it, your application will be deleted without being opened.
Another mistake is sending a Z83 that is not fully filled. Every section must be complete. If a section does not apply to you, write “N/A” – do not leave it empty. Empty sections look like you forgot.
Let me give you a real example. My neighbour applied for a cleaner job at the Department of Water and Sanitation. He left Section C blank because he thought cleaning is not “real work”. I told him to write “household cleaning – self employed” and he did. He got shortlisted. So even informal work counts. Write it down.
In conclusion, government jobs in South Africa are very competitive. The Z83 form is your first test. If you fill it correctly, you move to the next round. If you make small mistakes, they throw your application away. So take your time, use the current version (2024 or 2026), and double check everything before you submit.
