How to Apply for CAO Form Online 2026

Have you decided on a university or college in South Africa for the 2026 academic year? If you intend to apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO), this detailed information is for you! While the procedure may appear onerous at first, understanding the prerequisites and following clear directions will help ensure a successful application journey.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying via CAO for 2026 University Admissions

The CAO is a centralized platform for applying to a range of public and private universities and colleges in South Africa. It simplifies the application process for both students and institutions, enabling you to apply to multiple schools with just one application.

Planning to apply through CAO to universities like DUT, MUT, UKZN, UNIZULU, and private institutions in KwaZulu-Natal for 2026? This blog’s helpful guide will make the process straightforward.

CAO Application for the 2026 Academic Year in KZN

The CAO application period for the 2026 academic year in South Africa is open from March 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025. This applies to all applicants who wish to apply to any of the four universities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Here’s a breakdown of the key dates:

March 1, 2025: The CAO application portal and hard copy forms become available.
October 31, 2025: The CAO application portal and hard copy forms close at 5:00 PM.

It’s important to note that this is just for the CAO application process. Some universities may have deadlines for additional materials, such as entrance exams or portfolios. So, be sure to check the requirements of each university you’re interested in applying to.

Important Dates for CAO Online Applications for 2026

The online application for admission to universities and colleges in South Africa through the Central Applications Office (CAO) will open on March 1, 2025. Application deadlines vary depending on the intake period, so ensure you submit all required documents before the deadline for your chosen intake.

Intake Periods and Deadlines:

Intake Period	Early Submission Deadline	Late Submission Deadline
January 2026	October 31, 2025	November 30, 2025
July 2026	May 31, 2026	June 30, 2026

What You Need to Apply via CAO for 2026

The requirements for applying through CAO to your preferred university or college for 2024 admissions are as follows.

Certified Copy of ID and Birth certificate
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)
Proof of Payment of Application Fee
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, etc.

CAO Application Fees for 2026: What You Need to Know

Applying to universities through the Central Applications Office (CAO) involves an application fee. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

Fee Amounts:

South African Applicants:
- On-time Application: R250
- Late Application: R470
International Applicants:
- On-time Application: R300
- Late Application: R580

Payment Methods:

Online: You can pay via credit card during the online application process at www.cao.ac.za.
EasyPay: Visit any EasyPay outlet (Shoprite, Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay, etc.) and use your unique EasyPay number as a reference.

Deadline:

Remember that late applications incur significantly higher fees, so submit your application before the deadline!

How to Apply via CAO for 2026

There are two basic ways to apply: either online at www.cao.ac.za or by filling out a hard copy application form.

TO COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION FOR 2026

Visit the official website @ cao.ac.za and select “Apply.”
After reading the details, press “Continue with Application.“
Enter your ID number and click on ‘Submit’
Click ‘Continue with Application‘ at the bottom of the page after you have scrolled there.
Start by entering ALL of the required information.
After you have completed all the required fields, click “Next.” “Continue with Online Application” should be clicked.
You’ll see your CAO number, password, and EasyPay number in a pop-up window. Read the guidelines.
“Continue with Online Application” should be clicked.
After carefully reading the instructions and submitting ALL necessary information, click “Next.”
Click “Next” after filling out the “Next of Kin” information.
Once the school’s name is displayed in a box, you must enter the years that you first enrolled there and when you graduated from it before clicking “Search.”
Choose “Next.”
NOW THAT YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN SENT, CLICK THE BUTTON WHEN “Process My Application” IS VISIBLE.
When your submission is successful, a notification will appear on your screen.
Now that you can pay online and upload your supporting documentation.
pay using EasyPay.

COMPLETE A HARD-COPY APPLICATION FORM FOR

This is the least efficient option. Hardcopy applications may take up to 2-3 weeks to process after the CAO receives them with the administration fee

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

SEND YOUR FORMS TO CAO

Any of these methods must be used to submit your fully completed application form to CAO.

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

How to Upload Supporting Documents

Prospective applicants who wish to apply manually must still go to the CAO’s official website to complete the online application. The manual application is not entirely self-contained. After submitting your forms, you must upload all supporting online documents by following the steps.:

Go to the Central Applications Office website, www.cao.ac.za, and log in with your CAO or ID number
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.

Contact CAO

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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