All You Need to Know About CAO Application Process

The South Africa Central Applications Office (CAO) simplifies the application process for multiple tertiary institutions, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.

• Application Opening: March 1
• Main Application Deadline: October 31
• Late Applications: Accepted until November 30, with an increased fee.

Central Applications Office Application Process

To apply online at the Central Applications Office (CAO) in South Africa here are the instructions to follow;

PREPARATION BEFORE YOU APPLY:

If You Are Currently in Grade 12:

• Your ID Number (Found on your ID Document and Birth Certificate).
• At least your Final Grade 11 Results.
• Also, Your Grade 12 June and Trials (September results) if you already have it or as soon as you get it.

If You Have Already Passed the Grade 12 Final Examinations:

• Your ID Number (Found on your ID Document and Birth Certificate).
• Your Final NSC results.

CAO Online Application

• Visit CAO’s website and click on ‘Apply’.
• Enter your ID/Passport number and click on ‘Submit’.
• Enter ALL the details requested. Once you have entered all the requested details, click ‘Next’.
• Click on ‘Continue with online application’.
• A pop-up will appear with your CAO Number, Password and EasyPay Number.
  The same information will also be sent to the email address you provided. This information is important to access your information at a later date and track the progress of your application.
• Click on ‘Continue with Online Application’.
• Follow the instructions, complete ALL information requested & click ‘Next’ on each page

Click on ‘Process my Application’ when you reach it.

A message will be displayed on the screen informing you that your submission has been successful ‘YOUR APPLICATION HAS NOW BEEN SUBMITTED’

• You can now pay online and upload your supporting documents before you log off OR pay at an EasyPay Outlet and upload your supporting documents. (Refer to Sections B & C)

How to Pay Application Fee

For your application to be available to the institution/s to which you have applied, you must pay

• the full on-time administration fee of R250 if you are a South African, and
• R300 if you are an international applicant. A late fee is payable from 1st November.

SEE ALSO – CAO Online Application Process 2025

PAYMENT METHODS:

There are two options for making payment; The first option is the Online method which is also two ways;

Paying Online at the same time when you are doing your Application OR Change of Mind

• Select the ‘Make Payment’ option.
• Follow the instructions onscreen to make payment.

Paying Online at any time after you have logged out

• Go to www.cao.ac.za 
• OPTION 1: Click ‘Payments’ on the top menu bar.
• Enter your CAO number and Click ‘Make Payment’.
• Select payment option: ‘MyGate’ to pay by credit card or ‘EasyPay’ to pay by debit/credit card.
• OPTION 2: Click the ‘Check My Application’ icon on the Homepage.
• Enter your CAO or ID number and click ‘Submit’.
• Click on Make a payment to pay by credit card or Click ‘Here’ to pay by debit /credit card using the Easypay website.
• Follow the prompts on the screen.

The Second option is Via EasyPay which is also two ways;

Paying via EasyPay for your application OR Change of Mind

• You can pay at any EasyPay outlet, e.g. Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, etc.
• Use your unique EasyPay Number on your application as the reference when making payment.

How to Upload Documents After You Have Logged Out

You may upload your documents at the same time when you complete your application OR you may upload your documents at a later date.

• You must have the following information on hand when you upload documents
• CAO/ID Number or Passport Number
• Cell number that you have entered on your application
• E-mail address that you have entered on your application

Note: Your document/s must be saved in a file on your computer OR a memory stick/flash drive AND each document must be saved individually and uploaded onto the respective document type.

• Go to www.cao.ac.za
• Click on the ‘Upload my Documents’ icon on the bottom left of the homepage.
• Follow the prompts onscreen to log into your profile.
• Select the document type you want to upload.
• Enter any information requested.
• Click on ‘Choose file’ and select the document that you saved.
• Click on ‘Next’.
• Will be prompted to enter your results.
• Once you have entered your results click on ‘Next’
• You will have an option to load any additional documents, select as required.
• A summary of the information you have entered and the document will be presented to you to check.
• Click on ‘Submit my Documents’.
• A message will be displayed on the screen to inform you that your documents have been uploaded successfully.

How to Update Your Details Online

• You will require your CAO/ID Number and cell phone OR Access to your email.
• Go to www.cao.ac.za
• Click on the icon ‘Update My Details’ on the Homepage
• Select ‘Click here to continue and update your application’
• Follow the onscreen prompts to ‘Login’ to your profile to update your details.
• Once logged in, you will be presented with menu options on the left navigation bar.
• From the menu select the information field/s that you would like to update.
• Once you have updated all your details and you are satisfied with your update, click on ‘Process My Updates’
• A message will be displayed on the screen your updates have been processed.

NOTE: Once you submit your updated information it is immediately made available to institutions.

Check the Progress of Your Application

• Go to www.cao.ac.za
• You can check the progress of your application by clicking on the ‘Check My Application’ icon on the homepage.
• Enter your CAO number or ID number/Passport Number and the status of your application will be displayed on the screen.
• You can contact our Call Centre during office hours (Monday- Friday, 08h00-16h30) on 031 268 4444 or dial +27 31 268 4444 if from outside South Africa

Step-by-Step Guide to Submit a Change of Mind Online

• Go to www.cao.ac.za
• Click on the ‘Change of Mind’ icon on the homepage
• Follow the prompts to ‘Login’.
• You will be presented with a list of your current programme choices.
• Enter ALL the programme choices as you would like them to appear; i.e. the ones you are changing AND those programmes you wish to retain must be entered.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

• Take special note of the guidelines to assist you with entering your programme information correctly before submitting.
• Please enter all your programme choices in the ranking order before submitting them.
• Click on ‘Next’ and check that the programme choices you have added are correct.
• Once you have checked, click on ‘Process my Change of Mind’

YOUR CHANGE OF MIND HAS NOW BEEN SUBMITTED

• You can now pay online immediately, or you can pay at any EasyPay outlet. Your EasyPay Number will be provided on the screen.
• Click on ‘Logout’ once you are done

IMPORTANT:

• For your Change of Mind to be made available to the institutions to which you have applied you must pay your COM Administration fee of R140.
• Apply early to avoid late fees and ensure a smoother application process.
• Regularly check the specific deadlines of the institutions you’re interested in, as they may vary.
• For more detailed information, you can visit the CAO official website.