CAO Application Form 2026 PDF Download

The Central Application Office (CAO) is now accepting applications for the 2026 university intake, starting March 1, 2025. To avoid late fees and ensure full consideration, apply early before the October 31, 2025 deadline. Download your application form at www.cao.ac.za and start filling it out.

Apply Early for 2026 University Intake Through the Central Application Office

You can apply to universities for the 2026 intake through the Central Application Office starting March 1st, 2025. Apply early to ensure a faster review of your application and avoid late fees.

Where To Obtain the CAO Application Form

There are so many ways to obtain the application form for CAO

Application Forms are posted to your school. Find out from your principal and LO teacher. This application material should have reached your school by the end of March.
Handbooks and Application Forms are also available from the four universities in KZN and the DBE District Offices.
Some Libraries also have Handbooks and Application Forms.

You may also request an application form by:

Contacting the CAO Call Centre at 031 268 4444 or 086 086 0226
Sending an email to formrequestcao@cao.ac.za
Visiting the CAO office at Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street, Cato Manor

Documents Required For Manual Applications

Even if you apply manually, you must upload the following documents.

Copy of ID
Final Grade 11 Report (if you are in Grade 12) OR
Highest qualification achieved
Copy of study/residence permit (if you are a non-South-African applicant)
June Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it if you are currently in Grade 12)
September/Trials Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it if you are currently in Grade 12)
Any other document requested by the institution, eg. Academic Record

How To Submit CAO Application Before The Closing Date For 2026

Send completed hard-copy Application Forms to CAO by:

Emailing it to: formsreceivedcao@cao.ac.za
Posting it to Private Bag X06, Dalbridge, 4014
Hand delivering it to CAO, Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street (previously Cato Manor Road), Durban

Uploading Documents On The Cao Website

To log in and upload your documents, you will need your CAO or ID number, as well as your cell phone number (which was entered on your application) and access to your email (which was also entered on your application).

Go to the Central Applications Office website, www.cao.ac.za
Click on the ‘Upload My Document icon on the Home Page.
Read the instructions to know what you need ‘to log in to upload your documents’.
Once logged in, follow the steps provided to upload your documents and enter your related examination results, where required.
Review and make sure that you have uploaded the correct documents and entered the correct results, where required.
Once you are ready to submit, click the ‘Submit My Documents’ icon.

If you submit a hard-copy Application Form, it will take at least two to three weeks to process your application after the CAO receives your completed Application Form and administration fee.

Only then will it be available to the institutions to which you have applied. CAO also has no control over the length of time it takes the Post Office to deliver your completed Application Form to the CAO office. However, it is strongly advised that you apply online.

How to reach the Central Applications Office

Physical Address
Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street (previously Cato Manor Road), Durban
Postal Address:
Private Bag X06,
Dalbridge, 4014
Email Address:
enquiries@cao.ac.za
Telephone Number
031 268 4444
0860 860 226

For more information about the Central Applications Office, visit the official page

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