Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has encouraged prospective students who need guidance in accessing the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system to make use of the Central Application Service (CAS).
Manamela said that in previous years, the department introduced the Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) as a short-term intervention to match unplaced applicants with available spaces.
However, from the 2026 academic year, CACH will be discontinued as part of broader reforms to the PSET application process.
“CAS has been designed as a more comprehensive, integrated and long-term solution to improve access, visibility and coordination across the entire PSET system. CAS will progressively make visible a wider range of pathways beyond traditional university and college routes, while also helping to eliminate bogus institutions and protect prospective students from exploitation,” the Minister said in a statement on Tuesday.
Prospective students, who need guidance in accessing the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system, are encouraged to make use of the Central Application Service (CAS).
The Department of Higher and Training (DHET) had previously introduced the Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) as a short-term intervention to match unplaced applicants with available spaces. However, from the 2026 academic year, CACH will be discontinued as part of broader reforms to the PSET application process, while CAS is rolled out.
CAS is a pilot project implemented by DHET to provide the following services for aspiring learners, who wish to undertake undergraduate studies at any PSET institution in South Africa.
Its services include:
- Career Information.
- Career Guidance and Counselling Referral.
- Centralised Application Service.
- Application Clearing Service.
HOW TO USE CACH / CAS
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON THE CAS WEBSITE
CONTACT CAS VIA WHATSAPP
It is also possible to contact the Department's CAS service via whatsapp.
So if you are still looking for a course to study, contact the Central Application Service via WhatsApp on the number: 081 308 4196.
