Government details transitional arrangements for NQF qualifications

Posted 11 June 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Education

Brought to you by SAnews: The Minister of Higher Education and Training has announced transitional arrangements under the National Qualifications Framework Act, No. 67 of 2008, to manage the phasing out of pre-2009 “legacy” qualifications and the transition to modern occupational qualifications.

In terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act, No. 67 of 2008, and the Directive on Transitional Arrangements for Pre-2009 Qualifications published on 3 June 2024, the Department of Higher Education and Training is implementing structured transitional measures. The reform aims to phase out legacy qualifications in favour of occupational qualifications registered with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

To date, 948 occupational qualifications and part-qualifications have been registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Out of 1,475 pre-2009 qualifications that reached their registration end date, 630 have been granted learner enrolment extensions. The remaining qualifications have been deregistered due to zero enrolment or direct replacement by newer occupational qualifications.

Categorised Transitional Framework

The transitional arrangements are divided into three distinct categories to manage the transition based on sector readiness and economic impact:

  • Category A (Registered Occupational Qualifications): These qualifications are already registered on the NQF and do not require further enrolment extensions or gazetting. Delivery continues under standard QCTO and SAQA administrative processes.
  • Category B (Pre-2009 Qualifications and NATED Programmes): Selected programmes will receive targeted extensions ranging from six to 24 months. The approved list will be published in the Government Gazette on Monday, 15 June 2026, and on the SAQA website.
  • Category C (Regulatory Unit Standards and Trades): Regulatory unit standards underpinning statutory and industry programmes are granted extensions of up to three years. For trades where replacement occupational qualifications are not yet fully implemented, targeted transitional extensions of approximately one year may be granted.

A dedicated Technical Task Team has been established to oversee the transition, coordinate Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), manage data, and resolve implementation bottlenecks across TVET colleges and skills development providers.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations, but professional practitioners must verify that any ongoing personal professional development or additional qualifications they pursue are aligned with the newly registered NQF occupational standards.
  • For your business: Skills development providers, corporate training departments, and employers must audit their current training programmes against the upcoming Government Gazette on 15 June 2026 to identify which pre-2009 or NATED qualifications have received extensions (6 to 24 months) and which must be migrated to QCTO-aligned occupational qualifications.
  • For your clients: Corporate clients and employers utilizing SETA-funded training or claiming B-BBEE skills development spend must review their workplace skills plans (WSPs) to ensure they do not enroll employees in deregistered legacy qualifications, thereby risking non-compliance or loss of funding.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-announces-transitional-arrangements-advance-modern-occupational

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