Caregiver course requirements depend on the level of the course. The two registered home-care occupational certificates are the Home Based Personal Care Assistant (NQF 2) and the Home Based Personal Care Worker (NQF 3), and their SAQA records list very low entry points: Level 1 for the assistant and Level 1 with Mathematics for the worker, with recognition of prior learning possible.
A caregiver course trains you to support older people, people with disabilities or patients at home. It is not nursing training, and a caregiver course does not lead to registration with the South African Nursing Council. Individual providers may set their own extra conditions, so confirm with the provider before you enrol.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Home Based Personal Care Assistant (NQF 2, 68 credits): entry listed on SAQA as Level 1, with recognition of prior learning possible (SAQA record)
- Home Based Personal Care Worker (NQF 3, 135 credits): entry listed as Level 1 with Mathematics, with recognition of prior learning possible (SAQA record)
- Age, medical and immunisation conditions: not set out on the SAQA records, so ask your training provider and your intended employer
- Police clearance: employers often ask for one because the work involves vulnerable people; it is not listed as an entry requirement on the SAQA records
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Both qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework. SAQA shows the registration end date as 30 December 2025, with last enrolment on 30 December 2026 and last achievement on 30 December 2029, so ask any provider which version of the qualification it is offering and whether a successor qualification applies.
According to SAQA, a Home Based Care Assistant provides basic physical and emotional support to patients and families at home, under the direct supervision of a professional supervisor.
Caregiving is different from nursing. Caregivers are not registered with the South African Nursing Council. For home-based care of older persons, the Older Persons Act (section 14) says that a person providing home-based care must make sure caregivers receive the prescribed training, and requires the Minister to keep a register of caregivers and prescribe a code of conduct. Community-based care and support services may not be provided unless the service is registered. Confirm the current position with the Department of Social Development if you plan to run a care service.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
There is no APS score for these occupational certificates. The Worker qualification lists Mathematics at Level 1 as part of its entry point; the Assistant qualification lists Level 1 only. Providers of short courses and skills programmes set their own conditions, so ask what a specific course requires.
Documents and Application Requirements
Providers decide which documents to collect, so ask for their list. Commonly you should have ready:
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Proof of your highest school level or qualification, or evidence of your experience if you apply through recognition of prior learning
- A police clearance certificate, if the provider or employer asks for one
- The course fee, which you should confirm with the provider
For a police clearance, apply through SAPS. The SAPS police clearance page sets the fee at R190 per application, with fingerprints taken by SAPS (form SAPS 91(a)), and says an application is finalised about 15 working days after all documents are received, excluding postal time. A clearance is not issued if the applicant is identified as wanted by SAPS.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Check accreditation before you pay. Ask the provider for the SAQA qualification ID and for the quality council or SETA that accredits it, then compare it with the SAQA records above. Training for these occupational certificates should come from a provider accredited by the HWSETA or the QCTO, which is the place to confirm intakes, duration and fees.
Intakes, duration and fees are set by each provider, so request them in writing before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is caregiving the same as nursing?
No. Caregivers are not registered with the South African Nursing Council. A caregiver gives basic support at home under a supervisor, as the SAQA record for the assistant qualification describes.
What are the caregiver course requirements?
The registered certificates list Level 1 entry for the Home Based Personal Care Assistant (NQF 2) and Level 1 with Mathematics for the Home Based Personal Care Worker (NQF 3), with recognition of prior learning possible. A provider may add its own conditions.
Do I need matric to do a caregiver course?
The SAQA records do not state matric as an entry requirement for either occupational certificate. Short courses and individual providers may ask for more, so ask the provider.
Do I need a police clearance?
It is not listed on the SAQA records, but many employers ask for one because of the vulnerable people you will care for. Apply through SAPS if you need one.
What is the caregiver course qualification called?
The registered home-care qualifications are the Home Based Personal Care Assistant and the Home Based Personal Care Worker. Check the SAQA ID with any provider that sells you a course under another name.
Confirm entry conditions with an accredited training provider and the HWSETA or QCTO. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.