Government and NGO jobs · 5 min read
SAPS trainee 2026/27: requirements, R5,000 stipend, constable salary and the 13 November closing date
Applications for SAPS Police Trainee 2026/27, reference TRA26/27, close on 13 November 2026. You need Grade 12, you must be 18 to 35, and you get one application only.
The South African Police Service is recruiting entry level trainees. You're paid a R5,000 monthly stipend during training, and R248,175 a year (R20,681.25 a month before tax) as a Constable once you finish basic training. You apply online through saps.gov.za, and the system accepts one application from each person, so get it right first time. Applying is free: the advert cautions applicants not to pay any fee to any person. This page covers the 2026/27 round only, and it closes on 13 November 2026. After that, check the SAPS careers page for the next one.
Who can apply?
These are the requirements in the advert. You need proof for your citizenship, age and school certificate.
- A South African citizen
- At least 18 and not older than 35 on the closing date
- A Grade 12 school certificate or an equivalent qualification
- Proficient in English and one other official language
- No tattoo that would show when you wear any SAPS uniform
- No previous criminal convictions and no pending criminal cases
- Not declared unfit to possess a firearm
- Not dismissed for serious misconduct by an employer, where it was about dishonesty, violence, sexual harassment or drugs
- Willing to give a buccal (inside cheek) sample and fingerprints, to allow background enquiries and security vetting
- Willing to train where they send you and to serve anywhere in South Africa
If you ever worked in a government department and were dismissed for misconduct, the advert says you won't be considered. You must also say if you're the respondent in a protection order, which may disqualify you.
What are the fitness rules?
To do the fitness assessment, you need a Body Mass Index of 30 or less, and a waist of 102 cm or less for men, or 90 cm or less for women.
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres, squared. So if you're 1.70 m tall, 30 BMI works out to 86.7 kg. That's our sum, as a guide. Measure yourself before the assessment rather than on the day. You'll also face a medical evaluation, along with psychometric and integrity tests. The advert warns that a chronic disease or impairment that could interrupt training may exclude you, and that hiding one can get you withdrawn from the programme.
What does SAPS pay trainees and constables?
During training you get R5,000 a month with applicable benefits, including medical aid benefits during the learning programme. SAPS also provides free training gear, meals and accommodation during basic training, so you won't pay for those out of the stipend.
Once you complete basic training, you can be considered for permanent appointment as a Constable, at R248,175 a year. That's R20,681.25 a month before deductions. PAYE on that comes to about R2,258.13, so you'd have about R18,423.12 before your pension contribution, as SARS lists national government employees as not covered by UIF. Try our calculator with the public servant box ticked. We haven't confirmed the pay for other SAPS ranks, so we don't list them.
How does the training run?
You start with one month of induction at a police station. Then you do the basic police learning programme at a SAPS academy that the National Commissioner chooses. After that, you serve 12 months on probation as a member of the Service.
If you have a three year diploma or degree at NQF 6 or higher in law, policing, criminology, forensic investigation, IT, computer science, natural science or accounting, the advert says you can be considered for the Hawks (DPCI), detective and forensic work, or crime intelligence.
How do I apply?
Use only the official site. The SAPS careers page itself warns about bogus adverts for its traineeships and vacancies. Follow these steps from the advert:
- Go to saps.gov.za and open the link to the e-recruitment system
- Register your account
- Enter your profile details on the Profile User page
- Log in, then open the SAPS vacancy page from the home page
- Select the post with reference TRA26/27
- Enter your details in each step of the application, and submit it
Don't rush: you can't apply twice. Check your ID number, your matric details and your contact details before submitting, because SAPS will verify your qualifications, licence, citizenship and home address. Preference goes to applicants with a valid driver's licence for at least a light motor vehicle, and to some qualifications, including a three year tertiary qualification and a Grade 12 that gives admission to a bachelor's degree.
When will I hear back?
SAPS writes only to successful applicants. If you haven't been contacted within 3 months of the closing date, that's by 13 February 2027 on our count, the advert says to accept that you weren't successful. Being tested isn't a promise of a post: it says that a limited number of posts is available.
While you wait, keep applying elsewhere. There are other posts for people with matric, and you can keep a list of them in our application tracker.
Sources and further reading
Explore this topic
Frequently asked questions
How much is a SAPS trainee paid?
R5,000 a month during training, with applicable benefits. After basic training, a Constable earns R248,175 a year.
What is the age limit for SAPS trainees?
You must be at least 18 and not older than 35 on the closing date, 13 November 2026.
Can I apply with a tattoo?
Only if it wouldn't be visible when you wear any uniform of the Service. The advert rules out tattoos that would show.
Do I need a driver's licence?
It isn't a must, but preference goes to applicants with a valid licence for at least a light motor vehicle.
Do I have to pay to join SAPS?
No. SAPS cautions applicants not to pay any fee to any person for taking part in its recruitment. If someone offers to help for a fee, report it to SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111.