How to Confirm Qualification Level for South African Compliance

Qualification Verification in South Africa

Verifying educational qualifications is an important compliance requirement for many South African employers. This guide covers why and how to verify qualifications.

Why Verify Qualifications?

Qualification verification matters because:

Compliance: Required for some roles
Risk management: Prevent fraud
Quality assurance: Ensure competence
Regulatory requirements: Industry mandates
Due diligence: Employer responsibility

Industries Requiring Verification

Sectors with strong verification needs:

Healthcare and medical
Legal profession
Financial services
Engineering
Education
Public sector

What Can Be Verified

Qualification checks can confirm:

Degree or diploma awarded
Institution attended
Date of graduation
Field of study
Academic standing

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

SAQA maintains:

National Learners' Records Database
Qualification verification services
Quality assurance
Recognition of qualifications

Verification Process

A typical verification includes:

Obtain candidate consent
Gather qualification details
Submit verification request
Receive verification results
Document for records

Red Flags

Watch for:

Reluctance to provide details
Unverifiable institutions
Inconsistent dates
Missing documentation

Compliance Documentation

Maintain records of:

Verification requests
Results received
Candidate consent
Staff conducting checks

Conclusion

Qualification verification protects employers and supports compliance in South Africa. Proper verification ensures candidates have the qualifications they claim.