Government and NGO jobs · 6 min read
Government jobs with matric only: open posts, salary levels and how to apply
Yes, and they pay well: Level 5 clerk posts start at R237,453 a year. Circular 39 of 30 October 2026 has at least 58 posts asking for Grade 12 and no experience.
We went through the public service circular of 30 October 2026 and through the adverts in our own catalogue, reading the requirements of each. A mention of matric doesn't mean that matric is enough: many posts ask for a diploma or some years of experience as well. So this page lists only posts where the advert asks for Grade 12, or NQF level 4, with no experience. Most pay R201,093 or R237,453 a year, which is R16,757.75 or R19,787.75 a month before tax, and 7 clerk posts pay R280,278. Applying is free, and a neat Z83 counts. We checked on 2 November 2026, and closing dates pass fast, so confirm each post in the circular.
Which national department posts are open?
These are all from Circular 39 of 30 October 2026. They say Grade 12 and no experience, and they're on R237,453 a year unless we say otherwise. Check the advert in the circular before you apply, as each adds some knowledge and skills it wants.
- Employment and Labour, Compensation Fund, Pretoria: Employer Registration Clerk, 7 posts at R280,278 (39/15), Admin Clerk Third Party (39/19), Accounting Clerk, 2 posts (39/20), Administration Clerk Projects (39/21). Closes 13 November 2026
- Government Printing Works, Pretoria: Production Clerk, 2 posts (39/52), Administration Clerk (39/53). Closes 17 November 2026. The Production Clerk posts ask that you can obtain a security clearance
- Communications and Digital Technologies, Pretoria: Registry Clerk (39/01). Closes 16 November 2026
- Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria: Auxiliary Service Officer (39/116). Closes 16 November 2026
- Office of the Chief Justice, High Court in Pietermaritzburg: Administration Clerk (39/120). Closes 13 November 2026
Which provincial posts are open?
The largest group by far is in the Eastern Cape.
- Eastern Cape Education: 36 posts, 39/233 to 39/245. These are 33 administration, registry, accounting and secretary posts on Level 5, and 3 data capturer posts on Level 4 at R201,093. Apply on the provincial e-recruitment system. Closes 13 November 2026
- Gauteng Environment: Admin Clerk, 4 posts (39/295). R237,453, placed across provincial nature reserves and regional offices. Apply at jobs.gauteng.gov.za. Closes 13 November 2026
- Free State Health, Thabo Mofutsanyana District Office: Registry Clerk (39/271). R237,453. Apply at erecruitment.fs.gov.za. Closes 16 November 2026
That makes 58 posts in Circular 39. We searched for wording such as no experience, so there may be others worded differently.
Gauteng's own job portal had more in our catalogue on 1 November 2026, closing on 9 November: a Receptionist at Community Safety (NQF 4, R201,093), and Administration Clerk posts at Community Safety in four adverts covering 5 posts, plus Administrative Clerk posts at Infrastructure Development in two adverts, one of them for 3 posts (all R237,453). Gauteng Community Safety's Secretary posts ask for Grade 12 with typing as a subject or a similar course, so they're not on our list, though you may qualify.
What do these posts pay in my pocket?
A Level 5 post pays R19,787.75 a month on the first notch. PAYE comes to R2,076.80, leaving about R17,710.95 before your pension contribution. SARS lists national and provincial government employees as not covered by UIF. A Level 4 post pays R16,757.75 a month. On that, PAYE is R1,531.40, leaving about R15,226.35, again before your pension contribution.
The public service also adds benefits that the private sector doesn't always give. Some adverts name a 13th cheque, a housing allowance and medical aid, and the Eastern Cape data capturer adverts offer 37% in place of service benefits.
Other matric routes
SAPS is recruiting Police Trainees, reference TRA26/27, closing 13 November 2026. You need Grade 12 and to meet the age and fitness rules. You get R5,000 a month in training, and R248,175 a year as a Constable. Our separate page covers that.
If you have a trade or a licence as well, read further. The Compensation Fund's Security Officer (39/23) wants Grade 12 and a PSIRA Grade C certificate with no experience, at R201,093. Enrolled nurse and nursing assistant posts ask for Grade 12 plus a nursing certificate. Some posts ask for less than matric: the Driver/Messenger posts (39/22) ask for Grade 10, a Code 8 licence and a PDP, and the Office Aid post at Mamelodi Labour Centre (39/24) asks for Grade 10, at R170,226. Those Department of Employment and Labour posts close on 13 November 2026.
We don't list the IEC, SASSA or SARS here. We couldn't confirm matric posts on their official pages when we checked, so go to them directly.
How do I give myself the best chance?
Many people with matric apply for these posts, so a good form won't guarantee you a job, but a careless one can lose it. Use the form effective 1 January 2021, one for each post, with the right reference. Fill in every field, sign and date it, and attach a CV written for that post.
Read each advert's note. The Eastern Cape, for instance, won't pay your transport or meals to attend an assessment, and it does pre-entry assessments. If you hear nothing after the time the advert states (6 months for the Eastern Cape), consider it closed and keep applying. A new circular comes out each week except in December, and the next is due on 6 November.
Sources and further reading
Explore this topic
Frequently asked questions
Can I work for the government with only matric?
Yes. Circular 39 of 30 October 2026 alone has at least 58 posts that ask for Grade 12 and no experience, mostly clerks on Level 5.
How much do government clerks with matric earn?
Level 5 starts at R237,453 a year, or R19,787.75 a month before tax. Level 4 data capturer posts start at R201,093 a year.
Do I need experience?
Not for the posts on this page. Many other clerk posts ask for one or two years, so read each advert.
Where do I find new posts each week?
In the Public Service Vacancy Circular on the DPSA site, published weekly except in December. Our administration jobs page lists what we've found on official portals.
Do I have to pay anyone to get one of these jobs?
No. Applying is free, and nobody can sell you a place. If someone asks for money, stop and use our job scam check.