How to fill in the Z83 form
The Z83 ("Application for Employment") is the standard form every national and provincial government department uses to accept applications. If a government job advert asks you to apply, it will ask for a completed Z83 — this guide walks through it section by section.
Get the current, official version
Use only the Z83 version marked "Effective 01 January 2021" in the top-right corner of page 1 — it's the form printed at the top of every DPSA circular. Departments can and do reject an outdated Z83. Download it directly from the Department of Public Service and Administration:
- Official Z83 form (PDF, dpsa.gov.za) — the gazetted version.
- DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular hub — also links an editable version and a practice note.
The seven sections
Every section is compulsory. Where a question doesn't apply to you, write N/A — don't leave it blank.
- A — The advertised post. The exact position title and department as written in the advert, the vacancy's reference number, and your notice period / earliest start date.
- B — Personal information. Full names, ID or passport number, date of birth, citizenship, and a set of standard declarations (criminal record, pending disciplinary or criminal cases, prior dismissal from the Public Service, business interests that could conflict with the role).
- C — Contact details. Your preferred communication method and contact details.
- D — Language proficiency. Rate yourself (good / fair / poor) for speaking and writing/reading each language you list.
- E — Formal qualifications. Listed from highest to lowest, plus any qualification currently in progress.
- F — Work experience. A summary of your employment history — and this section explicitly says to attach a detailed CV as well.
- G — References and the declaration, which must be signed and dated.
Mistakes that get applications disqualified
- Not signing and dating the declaration. The form itself states this can lead to automatic disqualification — sign, date, and initial every page.
- Wrong or missing reference number. Departments receive many applications per post; a missing or incorrect reference number means yours may not be considered. Use one Z83 per position, even if you're applying for two similar posts in the same advert.
- Using an outdated Z83 — see above.
- Leaving fields blank instead of writing N/A, or writing "see attached CV" where the form asks you to fill in the field directly.
What must accompany the Z83
A detailed CV — Section F says so explicitly. Beyond that, the form's own notes say it "requires basic information" and that candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be asked to furnish further certified documentation. In other words, the current DPSA position is that you generally do not need to submit certified copies of qualifications and other documents at application stage — only if you're shortlisted.
The advert always wins. Some departments still ask for certified copies upfront regardless of the general rule above. Read the specific advert's instructions and do exactly what it says — if it asks for certified copies, send them. Only fall back on the "certify once shortlisted" position when the advert says nothing. Following the advert can never count against you; ignoring it can.
Where the reference number and salary level come from
Both are printed on the advert itself, inside the DPSA circular — iSebenza shows them on each listing. See how to read a salary level and how the wider application process works.