No official online lookup foundHas not ratified ILO C181
Recruitment agency licensing in South Africa
Licensing authority: Department of Employment and Labour. Section 13 of the Employment Services Act 4 of 2014, which provides for a registrar of private employment agencies, has not commenced according to the Law Library. The Minister said in 2022 that, as a transitional arrangement, agencies are governed by section 24 of the Skills Development Act read with Regulation 608 of June 2000.3,5,4
How to check an agency in South Africa
No public online register was found. Section 13(7), which would require an electronic register with public access, has not commenced. The Minister said in 2024 that the Department issues registration certificates that are displayed in every registered agency. Questions can go to the Department of Employment and Labour.3,4
Who needs a licence
Section 13 of the Employment Services Act, under which "Any person wishing to provide employment services must apply to the registrar", has not commenced, according to the Law Library, which says the rest of Chapters 1 to 7 commenced on 9 August 2015. In a 2022 reply the Minister said that, as a transitional arrangement, private employment agencies are governed by section 24 of the Skills Development Act read with Regulation 608 of June 2000. In a 2024 reply the Minister said section 50(2) of the Employment Services Act, which has commenced, prohibits operating as a private employment agency or temporary employment service unless registered with the Department.3,5,4
Fees charged to workers
Section 15(1), which has commenced, says "No person may charge a fee to any work seeker for providing employment services to that work seeker." The Minister may allow fees for specified categories of employees or specialised services by notice in the Gazette.3
ILO Private Employment Agencies Convention (C181)
Not ratified1
Main law
- Employment Services Act 4 of 2014 (section 13 not commenced) (2014)2,3
- Skills Development Act 97 of 1998, section 24, read with Regulation 608 of June 2000 (transitional arrangement) (1998)5
Developments
- The Department of Labour published Draft Regulations on the Registration of Private Employment Agencies and Temporary Employment Services for comment (Government Gazette 42140, notice R. 1432). In 2022 the Minister said new regulations were with the State Law Advisers for certification.6,5
Checked 28 October 2026. This page describes the licensing system. It does not list or rate individual agencies.
Sources
- Government of the Netherlands, Treaty Database, Convention concerning Private Employment Agencies, Geneva, 19-06-1997 (29 January 2026)
- South African Government, Employment Services Act 4 of 2014
- Southern African Legal Information Institute, Law Library, Employment Services Act 4 of 2014 (text)
- Parliamentary Monitoring Group (written reply of the Minister of Employment and Labour), Question NW1170 to the Minister of Employment and Labour (25 October 2024)
- Parliamentary Monitoring Group (written reply of the Minister of Employment and Labour), Question NW1021 to the Minister of Employment and Labour (6 May 2022)
- Department of Labour, Government Gazette, Draft Regulations on the Registration of Private Employment Agencies and Temporary Employment Services (Government Gazette 42140, R. 1432) (28 December 2018)