Where to look for a job in South Africa: 3 official and free websites

The official websites for finding jobs in South Africa, who can register, and how to apply for free.

What do you want?

✓ You will remain on this site

Each portal is for a specific type of job opening. Choose a guide above and start with the one that matches your profile. 👆

In South Africa, the best places to look for jobs for free are official portals: SA Youth for young people, ESSA from the Department of Employment and Labour, and government job postings published by the DPSA.

This guide shows how each one works, who can register, and the step-by-step process for applying.

How it works

Choose the portalbased on your age and job type.

Register or download the formfrom the official website.

Applybefore the deadline for each position.

🆓

No portal charges a fee for free services.

🏛️

Official government-linked portals

📱

Mobile phone without using dataon the SA Youth website.

📋

Public job openings:new list every week.

Types of opportunities

💼

Formal job openings

🎓

Learnerships:learning by doing

🧑‍🏫

Work experiencefor young people

🤝

Volunteeringto gain experience

🏛️

Public servicegovernment departments

🚀

Entrepreneurship:opportunities to start a business

Who can apply?

South African identity document or valid work permit

Updated resume

For SA Youth: be between 18 and 34 years old

💡 Tip: Register on more than one portal. SA Youth and ESSA match your profile with different job openings, and public job postings are released every week.

Everything you need to know

SA Youth: for young people aged 18 to 34

SA Youth is part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and is supported by Harambee and the Department of Employment and Labour, among others. It brings together job openings, apprenticeships, youth programs and training opportunities.

The website claims it's 100% free and doesn't use up data on MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, and Telkom carriers.

ESSA: the website of the Department of Employment and Labor

ESSA is the public system that connects job seekers with job openings at companies. You create a profile, submit your resume, and search for jobs.

The department warns that it does not ask for payment from those seeking employment.

DPSA: government job openings

The DPSA publishes a Public Service Vacancy Circular every week, listing vacancies in national and provincial departments. There is no circular in December.

To apply, use the new Z83 form, along with your resume, and send it to the department that posted the job.

Private portals

Sites like PNet, Careers24, Indeed, and LinkedIn also publish job openings from companies. Use them in conjunction with official job portals.

On any website, be wary of job postings that charge a fee to hire you.

How to protect yourself

Serious selection processes do not charge a fee. Never pay to secure a spot or provide your bank password.

Fake diplomas for public job positions become a police matter, according to the government's own circular.

Official source: registration and application are always done on each portal's website. This guide only explains how they work.